My Leadership Style
I have both Dynamic Supporter (DS) and Adaptive Aggressive (AA) leadership styles, as defined by Jeffrey Glanz in his book, "Finding Your Leadership Style: A Guide for Educators" (2002). Characteristics of a Dynamic Supporter include charismatic, warmhearted, sincere, reliable, humorous, and compassionate. "They are independent, intuitive, and good at bringing people together, sometimes serving as bridges." The fact that I am a dynamic supporter makes complete sense. I am the person that people enjoy working with and I like working alongside others. We have common goals and we utilize our strengths to get things done. I found that every single characteristic of the DS role fits me. I use humor a lot to get people to see that I'm not too serious and that I'm worth getting to know as a person. I go around school talking with people and make relationships a priority so that when I need help. others are willing to pitch in. I am charismatic and sensitive and I don't like hurting people's feelings. This role is also indicative of long and lasting relationships and friendships. The part about being a sincere friend really hit home for me. I am an excellent listener and I put my friends and family first (sometimes to my detriment). I am loyal to the core and I will give you lots of chances (some say too many) to disappoint me before I move on from a person. I am the person people want on their team because I can see multiple perspectives and rally around others. I like to praise and champion people's efforts.
Characteristics of an Adaptive Aggressive leadership style include being socially aware, goal-oriented, survivor-types and are expert at finding their niche within the power structure and using it. "They are bright opportunists who can get the job done. They often surround themselves with Dynamic Aggressives who articulate the vision so that they can carry out the plan." I wasn't sure exactly about the Adaptive Aggressive role, but in some ways I can see this being me too. I am success-oriented and I like accomplishing tasks to achieve "big picture" changes. I like to think I'm smart and pull out my favors when I need them, but I also am not willing to jeopardize my reputation and values by hurting or using someone to do so. I am not someone who is willing to step on others so I can get to the top-- I'll use my voice, but I don't demean someone purposefully. I do think I'm resourceful and I will seek solutions from the information I have and I'll set out to accomplish goals. I am typically confident but not overly cocky, and I am typically an extrovert who doesn't like to sit on the sidelines. I like leading, but I don't have to be the sole leader. I'd prefer to be part of a team that leads, therefore avoiding being the single decision maker.
Characteristics of an Adaptive Aggressive leadership style include being socially aware, goal-oriented, survivor-types and are expert at finding their niche within the power structure and using it. "They are bright opportunists who can get the job done. They often surround themselves with Dynamic Aggressives who articulate the vision so that they can carry out the plan." I wasn't sure exactly about the Adaptive Aggressive role, but in some ways I can see this being me too. I am success-oriented and I like accomplishing tasks to achieve "big picture" changes. I like to think I'm smart and pull out my favors when I need them, but I also am not willing to jeopardize my reputation and values by hurting or using someone to do so. I am not someone who is willing to step on others so I can get to the top-- I'll use my voice, but I don't demean someone purposefully. I do think I'm resourceful and I will seek solutions from the information I have and I'll set out to accomplish goals. I am typically confident but not overly cocky, and I am typically an extrovert who doesn't like to sit on the sidelines. I like leading, but I don't have to be the sole leader. I'd prefer to be part of a team that leads, therefore avoiding being the single decision maker.
My Virtue Analysis: Which Do I Have? Which do I Lack?
In addition to my leadership styles, as defined by Glanz above, he also classifies 7 virtues he deems as necessary for leaders to have or cultivate. The seven virtues he identifies are courage, empathy, enthusiasm, humility, imagination, impartiality, and judgment. My top virtue was courage, where I scored 8/8 in the survey. I also scored 7's for both enthusiasm and imagination virtues. My lowest virtue was impartiality, where I scored a 5/8.
My virtue inventory really does reflect my personality and leadership style. Courage fits me extremely well and should be the top virtue I possess. I do not have any problem addressing students, other teachers, parents, or administration, in any capacity, if I see wrongdoing or I see a possible solution. I am not afraid of ramifications. I speak what is in my heart and it comes from my moral compass, which most people respect. I think this comes from my inherent want of justice for all. It sort of dovetails with my Dynamic Supporter style. I allow others to speak and persuade and I listen. If their solution is more plausible, I'll go with it. I'm not so stubborn that I need to be right, I just an not quiet when I have ideas that I think could benefit all. I also don't like to sit quietly if others' voices aren't being heard or someone is being bullied. Again, Imagination and Enthusiasm really do dovetail into my personality and I think the reason why some see me as the Norma Rae or fearless one. I think outside the box and I come up with solutions when I'm unhappy; I don't just say "no" and hope somebody else will fix the problems. I try to be positive, even when articulating frustrations, because I find that way people see that you want what's best, you just don't think what is in place is working. My lowest virtue is impartiality, which doesn't really surprise me. I think this stems from the fact that I am often in the majority and I teach mostly white students and they have a hard time understanding their white privilege, despite countless attempts at reading articles, seeing things in the news, and simply discussing it. I work to separate my bias, but I'm not perfect. Certainly some students get under my skin and it becomes harder to be impartial; although, I think a do a reasonable job separating their academics from their behavior and their distinct personalities.
I also assessed the 12 virtues that John Baptist de la Salle describes as being essential in leadership. The 12 virtues he highlights are as follows: Gravity (Seriousness), Silence, Humility, Prudence, Wisdom, Patience, Reserve (Self-control), Gentleness, Zeal, Vigilance, Piety, and Generosity. These virtues are the ideals by which I want to guide my practice as a teacher. I want to be understanding of my students and humble when I or they make mistakes. I want to have zeal for my classes and enthusiastic about the content and the discussions and learning. I’d like more patience and self-control often, but I know that it is something that gets better over time. Teachers wear so many hats that these virtues serve as reminders of all we can be and that we should aim to embody a Christ-like, forgiving, discerning, kind teacher who seeks to educate the whole child with dignity. These virtues help steer me back on track after a hard lesson or day and puts the focus back on the students and off of me, the teacher.
I think the virtues I’d like work on most are Silence & Reserve. I am a teacher that is up front and then on the side and kind of all over in terms of spacing and talking. I am enthusiastic and I don’t like to stay stagnant, but sometimes I think I can overdo things or overstimulate. Reflection is something I like, but for students, it’s often hard to do. Our world is one where we communicate 24/7 and we seemingly never stop talking or texting. I think I could work on finding ways to communicate without talking (using body language or gestures) and also could find ways to integrate time in for reflection and pause. We always talk about how wait times aren’t enforced and we don’t know who to shut ourselves “off,” so I’m going to try and intentionally create time to “be” and “think” and “ponder.” It doesn’t have to be forever, but for a few minutes each day, possibly at the start or end of a class, just to allow for processing time and re-energization/rejuvenation. I also think that self-control and self-restraint are things that both adults and students struggle with on a daily basis. When things do not go as planned and students antagonize me or their classmates, it becomes hard to move on and not continue in conversation. Instead of allowing the negativity to penetrate or continue, you need to redirect the attention. I will work to use common language to bring our class back “above the line” and back to the learning goals at hand.
My virtue inventory really does reflect my personality and leadership style. Courage fits me extremely well and should be the top virtue I possess. I do not have any problem addressing students, other teachers, parents, or administration, in any capacity, if I see wrongdoing or I see a possible solution. I am not afraid of ramifications. I speak what is in my heart and it comes from my moral compass, which most people respect. I think this comes from my inherent want of justice for all. It sort of dovetails with my Dynamic Supporter style. I allow others to speak and persuade and I listen. If their solution is more plausible, I'll go with it. I'm not so stubborn that I need to be right, I just an not quiet when I have ideas that I think could benefit all. I also don't like to sit quietly if others' voices aren't being heard or someone is being bullied. Again, Imagination and Enthusiasm really do dovetail into my personality and I think the reason why some see me as the Norma Rae or fearless one. I think outside the box and I come up with solutions when I'm unhappy; I don't just say "no" and hope somebody else will fix the problems. I try to be positive, even when articulating frustrations, because I find that way people see that you want what's best, you just don't think what is in place is working. My lowest virtue is impartiality, which doesn't really surprise me. I think this stems from the fact that I am often in the majority and I teach mostly white students and they have a hard time understanding their white privilege, despite countless attempts at reading articles, seeing things in the news, and simply discussing it. I work to separate my bias, but I'm not perfect. Certainly some students get under my skin and it becomes harder to be impartial; although, I think a do a reasonable job separating their academics from their behavior and their distinct personalities.
I also assessed the 12 virtues that John Baptist de la Salle describes as being essential in leadership. The 12 virtues he highlights are as follows: Gravity (Seriousness), Silence, Humility, Prudence, Wisdom, Patience, Reserve (Self-control), Gentleness, Zeal, Vigilance, Piety, and Generosity. These virtues are the ideals by which I want to guide my practice as a teacher. I want to be understanding of my students and humble when I or they make mistakes. I want to have zeal for my classes and enthusiastic about the content and the discussions and learning. I’d like more patience and self-control often, but I know that it is something that gets better over time. Teachers wear so many hats that these virtues serve as reminders of all we can be and that we should aim to embody a Christ-like, forgiving, discerning, kind teacher who seeks to educate the whole child with dignity. These virtues help steer me back on track after a hard lesson or day and puts the focus back on the students and off of me, the teacher.
I think the virtues I’d like work on most are Silence & Reserve. I am a teacher that is up front and then on the side and kind of all over in terms of spacing and talking. I am enthusiastic and I don’t like to stay stagnant, but sometimes I think I can overdo things or overstimulate. Reflection is something I like, but for students, it’s often hard to do. Our world is one where we communicate 24/7 and we seemingly never stop talking or texting. I think I could work on finding ways to communicate without talking (using body language or gestures) and also could find ways to integrate time in for reflection and pause. We always talk about how wait times aren’t enforced and we don’t know who to shut ourselves “off,” so I’m going to try and intentionally create time to “be” and “think” and “ponder.” It doesn’t have to be forever, but for a few minutes each day, possibly at the start or end of a class, just to allow for processing time and re-energization/rejuvenation. I also think that self-control and self-restraint are things that both adults and students struggle with on a daily basis. When things do not go as planned and students antagonize me or their classmates, it becomes hard to move on and not continue in conversation. Instead of allowing the negativity to penetrate or continue, you need to redirect the attention. I will work to use common language to bring our class back “above the line” and back to the learning goals at hand.