I am a fan of great leadership. Some of my favorites include John Wooden, Coach K, Vince Lombardi, Abraham Lincoln, and Martin Luther King. What inspires me most is how they motivated grown men and women to do extraordinary things.
John Wooden won 10 national championships all at the same school. He wasn't one to jump around. He established a solid program and stuck with it to see it grow and flourish and was rewarded for his dedication.
Coach K, (some bias here) will be considered one of the greatest basketball coaches of all time when he decides to call it quits. He too has shown amazing dedication to the program he built with his own sweat and tears.
Vince Lombardi had an amazing post season record of 9 wins and 1 loss in the NFL. Unheard of. He established this great playoff record in only 9 short seasons with the Green Bay Packers.
What do these three men have in common? None of them walked right in and started winning championships. Wooden didn't start winning national championships until the 1960's. He started coaching in the 1940's. By year three at Duke Coach K was being run out of Raleigh! He went on to win 3 national championships, a gold medal, 11 ACC championships, and several coach of the year awards. Lombardi lost his first NFL Championship Game(before it was known as the "Superbowl") after that he went on to win 5. Another common thread between these three men. None of them have been a head coach for more than two teams. Wooden - Indiana State and UCLA, Coach K - Army and Duke, Lombardi - Green Bay and Washington.
Let's look at the two historical leaders I chose. Both were despised. One when he was elected and during his tenure as the President the other while he orchestrated the Civil Rights movement across our nation. Both made monumental change in our country, one from abolishing slavery and the other to inspiring the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and all the protections that it grants us. Unfortunately, both were executed before their time. However, their work is and forever will be carried on.
What does all this have to do with school, teaching, and learning. Well besides being inspired by playoff football and college basketball during this special time of year and the celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday, we all have so much to learn from the actions of all of these leaders.
Those that show loyalty to a program will be rewarded. The work of a good person will forever be continued. Why, because humans are first followers before they become leaders. When we choose the right person or program to follow and show loyalty to it you develop leaders at every level that carry on great acts of humanity. These new leaders inspire in new ways and hold fast to traditions that contribute to the success of our civilization. Knowing when to lead and when to follow is the most critical decision we make in our own success.
Since we have been back on break I have this overwhelming feeling that our shining moment is right around the corner. The ink on our stamp is wet. We are and will continue to do great things for the students of this school. Why.... because you, the teachers of this school, are leading our students to do great things.
No written word, no spoken plea,
Can teach our youth what they should be,
Nor all the books on all the shelves.
It's what the teachers are themselves.
Author Unknown
Yours in leading and in following,
Mike
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