“I enjoy coaching people on new tasks and procedures.”(n.d, p.1)-Blake, R. and Mouton, J.
I tend to arrive to work at least an hour early to prepare for the tasks at hand. In my younger years, it may have been two hours early. Why? I take pride in being a team leader! In his article, Bruin (2020), describes team leaders, like myself, as being “high on concern for production and high on concern for people,” (para. 8).
I arrive early to work for a couple of reasons. First, I prepare my materials for the students’ activities. Secondly, I help address any matters my coworkers may need to discuss. Oftentimes, they may have concerns about a directive from the administration or simply want to vent about a student or parent’s behavior. Therefore, I must be mentally ready to inspire and motivate them to not internalize the negativity that we as educators must overcome.
You can say I am Gung Ho about my career and what it means to be an educator, and to be able to work with some talented and gifted individuals. As a team leader, I think of ways to inspire those around me, such as celebrating birthdays and recognizing my team for their accomplishments. In the book Gung Ho!, the authors Blanchard, K. & Bowles describe it as the “Spirit of the Squirrel”(1998, p. 56):
1. Knowing we make the world a better place.
2. Everyone works toward a shared goal.
3. Values guide all plans, decisions and actions.
Bruin (2020) writes that the team leader style of management “is often considered to be the most effective and is recommended for managers because organization members work together to accomplish tasks and maintain good relationships,” (para. 8). This statement is correct and the evidence is found in the relationships that I still have with former teammates and coworkers, even though we live in different states and have not seen each other in many years. We will on occasion talk about how education has changed, but even more importantly celebrate milestones in our lives. Rath and Conchie(p. 93), defines it as having a leadership style that lasts beyond a lifetime.
Sources:
Blanchard, k. & Bowles, S.(1998). Gung Ho!. William Morrow & Company, Inc.
Bruin, L. (2020 March 22). Business to you. Blake and Mouton Managerial Grid: A Behavioural Approach towards Management and Leadership. Retrieved from https://www.business-to-you.com/blake-mouton-managerial-grid/
Creative Property of The Vision Council.(n.d). The Blake and Mouton Managerial Grid Leadership Self Assessment Questionnaire. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1h07zdMPVzfE0jpl9cCVEqkY_4_rNYyEq/view
Gerd A. (2012). Businesswoman [Illustration]. Pixabay. Retrieved from https://pixabay.com/illustrations/businesswoman-business-inspiration-840618/. CC Zero. Edited by Morgan, D. 2021
Rath, T. & Conchie, B. (2009). Strengths based leadership: Great leaders, teams, and why people follow. Gallup Press.