Because you didn't follow up on my leadership lessons from animals suggestion, I thought I would share one with you that was brought to my attention by master's students in Quesnel a few years ago. Dr. Seuss was a very wise man who tackled huge themes in an engaging way. Take a look at this old favourite, and see how it speaks to you as a leadership text! My purpose is to provide you with a bit of fun that you can justifiably label as "homework", but also to set the stage for finding leadership concepts everywhere.
This book speaks as a leadership text because it shows an "insignificant" turtle standing up for a belief in what is right. Mack was the true leader of the story because it was he who was willing to speak his mind and to question what was being pushed on him. I think true leaders do question and must question those at the top of the order. Leaders must look beyond the hierarchy a know that those at the bottom are the support that keeps and entire structure standing. Yertle was the leader in the story in name only because he felt he had control, but Mack held the power to question and the ability to "rock the boat." When you as a leader have the courage to take risks, changes will occur. This book is not just a childrens' text but contains underlying messages representative of leadership and change.
ReplyDeleteYertle the turtle was a self-centered leader. He was only concerned with himself attaining the top position. Leaders with humility recognize that they are no better or worse than other members of the team. A humble leader tries to elevate everyone. Mack, the plain little turtle had the courage to speak up for himself and others who were supporting King Yertle. Mack was demonstrating leadership qualities by being courageous. King Yertle was not being fair to his turtles in his pond by asking them to make the throne higher. An effective leader must demonstrate fairness by dealing with people consistently and justly. When people feel they that are being treated fairly, they reward a leader with loyalty and dedication. The turtles in the pond supported Yertle out of fear not dedication. Leading others especially in the field of education means having courage to speak up for what is right and fair as well as having the humility to know that the followers are as valuable as the leader in making progress.
ReplyDeleteYertle had the potential to be a leader but could not literally hold on for long since he lacked the awareness. He had others listen to him but did not bother with their conditions. A leader should listen if he cannot know for himself the conditions he creates. And that leading is not attaining a position for oneself. Instead of competing with the moon Yertle could have focused on nurturing the potentials around him. In his personal quest he crumbled the whole institution to bits, maybe never to get the support and rise again ever. Also is important to realise that the foundations like the moral aspect needs to be strong and supporting of your actions. Mack can be seen as the philosophy behind the Yertle's incompetent actions and hence importance of good practice following a theory is stressed. And the other interpretation is that everybody concerned in an institution is important irrespective of their 'standings'.
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How do you access the book? Or do I have to go somewhere and read it? Heard much about this Yertle the turtle I have...no comment to make have I on a strange turtle until I read the story...your truly the dense gooseeyes
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ReplyDeleteAnother Dr. Seuss book that contributes to the theme of Leadership qualities is "Oh, the Places You Will Go." In Kaser and Halberts book "Leadership Mindsets" the first chapter looks at 'growth mindsets'. The "growth mindset is based on the belief that your basic qualities are things you can cultivate through your efforts. Although people may differ in every which way- in their initial talents, and aptitudes, interests, or temperaments - everyone can change and grow through application and experience." [Carol Dweck (2006:pp.6-7) Mindset the New Psychology of Success, found on page 9 in the Kaser, Halbert text. Dr. Seuss alludes to this same belief in his book "Oh, the places you will go."
ReplyDeleteI think his story speaks to the notion that one needs to remain open to the unknown roads that lay ahead, but at the same time one needs to remain true to oneself. As the education world is changing through globalization and technology it becomes more apparent that leaders need to shift their mindset about education.
Leaders need to allow themselves the time and opportunity to try and see things in a 'new' way. Therefore, leader mindsets need to be dynamic rather than static. However, it is equally important that leaders remain true to their beliefs and values. Leaders need to think about all views, and make an informed decision about topics at hand. The term 'best practice' comes to mind.
The type of leadership exemplified by Yertle the turtle is slowly fading away. In today's context, leaders who assume such leadership will not last very long. Schools today, as Kaser and Halbert have pointed out, have shifted from a sorting to a learning system. The latter requires both teachers and leaders " with growth mindset in learning and helping others to learn are lifelong pursuits." ( Kaser and Halbert , p.14) Yertle the turtle is all for himself. He uses people for selfish reasons. He also doesn't cultivate a relationship or show care and concern for people like Mack. I was so tickled to see how the author cleverly got Mack to give a burp to bring Yertle the turtle down from his tall pedestal. Yertle's great fall clearly demonstrates that such leadership cannot last long.
ReplyDeleteOK, I am going to take this to the kids side for a second. Children love this book for the story and as they grow older they see the message behind the book. The metaphor to leadership has many links.
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