What is Leadership? Often, leadership gets confused with manipulation and bullying. When you attempt to control someone or something for your self-interests, often unfairly or dishonestly, this is manipulation, not leadership. When you repeatedly and intentionally use words or actions against others to cause distress and risk to their well-being, this is bullying, not leadership. The ability to influence and guide others towards achieving common goals, by encompassing skills like direction, motivation, decision-making, and fostering collaboration–this is leadership.
When you are trusted to serve in an elected position, you are entrusted to represent your city or your school district as a whole. A good leader recognizes the needs and makes a conscientious effort to know the community. As a leader, taking the time to listen even when the topic is controversial or uncomfortable is important when making decisions and setting goals. You lead by example. Not taking the time to speak with parents and community members from across the district will make for unprepared leadership to make uneducated decisions on tough topics. Our schools are not identical, the students are different, and the needs vary. TASB offers so many educational opportunities to help trustees understand policies, budgets, funding, and other leadership classes. All trustees should take advantage of these opportunities to be better leaders, and always be willing to learn! Mentoring is so valuable in having a successful school board. Mentoring is important for the team of 8 to work together, not eight individuals working independently of each other, be on the same page, and tackle tough issues.
Good leadership can bring this all together because you have a common goal, which should be what is best for the students. Leadership is when there are no personal agendas, no political involvement, no outside persons or group influence; it’s when you make a conscientious effort to connect with the parents, students, and staff, to learn what the true issues are and build trust within the community.
Soon, MISD, along with so many other districts across the state, will be faced with some very tough decisions. The ongoing fight for funding in Austin will push many Districts into situations that they would rather not be in and would not if they had proper funding. We need leaders who understand the concerns of the teachers and staff from all levels of education and how the lack of state and federal funding will impact our school district. We need leaders who are not afraid to speak with our elected officials and explain exactly what our district needs. Often, leaders get themselves into positions where they are beholden to a certain group or individual for political support, which can greatly hinder important conversations that truly need to be had. We need leaders who are going to fight for public education!
We need leaders who truly have the entire MISD and the City of Mansfield in their best interest, not candidates who prioritize their personal agendas. They are not the right choice.
True leadership is what the Mansfield ISD and the City of Mansfield need right now!