Change

Tuesday, February 02, 2010

Lead Like the Great Conductors

Being a conductor as well as a leader, I find this to be an excellent TED talk. Throughout the talk Talgam presents the work of various conductors, demonstrating the clear connection between conducting and leadership. This was all very interesting to watch, but my favorite idea from the video is when Talgam likens leadership to building a rollercoaster.

“You have the plan in your head. You know what to do, and you become a partner, building the rollercoaster…as you actually take the ride.”

Leading 21st century educational change of the second-order fits this metaphor of building a rollercoaster. Second-order change: (1) Is perceived as a break with the past; (2) Lies outside existing paradigms; (3) Conflicts with prevailing values and norms; and (4) Requires the acquisition of new knowledge and skills.

Since the world is a rapidly changing place, there can be no detailed instructions for change. It is not possible for everything to be in place before the “train” leaves the “station.” However, it is the force of the process – a leader with a vision, the skills to work with people and a thirst for change – that keeps everything from falling apart. In the process of reinventing education, there will be moments of thrilling success – like feeling gravity at work as the rollercoaster winds around a curve with great speed. There will also be moments of fear – like slowly climbing a steep hill and then ferociously racing to the bottom. Educational leaders with a mission and passion for challenging the status quo cannot avoid the thrill nor the fear. For our efforts at change to be successful, we can only embrace thrill and fear for once the ride has begun, it cannot be stopped.

Posted by Randy on 02/02 at 07:30 PM
21st century education • Change • Leadership • (0) Comments • (0) Trackbacks • Permalink
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