Teacher a leader

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Education is a powerhouse that can transform individuals into capable leaders. Leadership is not about instructing others on how to achieve a vision but about cultivating a culture of learning for everyone. It is a continuous process of mutual growth and development, rather than a one-sided transfer of knowledge.

Such leaders help people throughout the organisation develop systematic understandings. Learning can be encouraged in many situations and with various groups — staff, students, faculty, colleagues, friends and the public as whole.

There are many reasons why a teacher should learn. Teachers who learn teach their students with better knowledge. The Leadership Challenge, a popular book from the 1980s, defines the practice of enabling or empowering people as a commitment to "strengthen people by giving power away, providing choice, developing competence, assigning critical tasks, and offering visible support."

You can empower students by giving away some of the traditional power held by the leader. Requiring students to take on teaching roles is a great way for them to learn. Help students develop competence by teaching them the skills and techniques that will make them successful. Assign important work to students, not just busy work. Ensure there is a purpose for all you ask them to do. Most importantly, give feedback often so students have a roadmap for success.

A teacher who learns helps build a sense of common purpose. Building purpose is an educational process, whether in a school or a workplace. If you want your subordinates or students to meet the goals you have set, they must have this sense of common purpose. Why are we here doing this work? Building purpose is accomplished by promoting and protecting the values of the institution and by personalising the teaching.

Consider the goals you aspire to reach. Even if your goals are clear, they will never be accomplished without a shared set of values. What do you value in the classroom or workplace? It could be respect, hard work, diversity, curiosity, flexibility or humour. These values guide behaviour and decision-making.

There is a reason to learn. When students take charge of their own workday or classroom experience, they will improve their performance. Most teachers want the quality of their services to be outstanding. However, wanting this outcome and achieving it can be two completely different things. The more learning is encouraged in your environment, the more likely outstanding service can become your hallmark.

For a teacher to prioritise learning is to commit to improving the profession and the organisation. This involves developing the skills of students, refining research strategies and staying current with new methodologies and tools.

First and foremost, a teacher-leader needs credibility. A teacher is a lifelong learner. A demonstrated commitment to learning new things, constantly changing applications or new or remodeled research tools can go a long way in creating the credibility needed to inspire others. Teacher-leaders need the credibility that comes with the willingness to change and grow by staying current in their field.

Effective communication is crucial. It acts as the glue that holds a community together. A teacher-leader must be a good communicator to clearly convey vision, expectations and feedback.

A teacher-leader must be a good listener. You cannot be a good leader unless you listen to all the people around you. You cannot learn unless you listen - to colleagues, to students, to faculty, and to developments in your field. A teacher needs to be open to new ideas, new policies, new people and new technologies.

Knowledge sharing and expertise in the subject are needed for a teacher-leader. Not only do you need to be open to learning new things, but you must also help others learn new things. Trust is fundamental for a teacher-leader. Without trust, there cannot be meaningful learning. Trust builds confidence and shows the way for overall success, creating a harmonious path for both the teacher as a leader and those they are taught.