Teachers: The Ultimate Leadership Experts
Posted on March 01, 2020 by Christina Renzelli, One of Thousands of Executive Coaches on Noomii.
Everything you need to know about great leadership can be found in a well managed classroom.
I’ve have noticed that some of the best leaders in the corporate world are former teachers. As a coach who works with teachers, educational administrators and corporate leaders, the parallels are not surprising. Managing a classroom and a school system can be more challenging than running a business or a corporation. I believe teachers are the Ultimate Leadership Experts because:
1. Teachers know how to organize:
· Large groups of people: Teachers know how to cultivate a positive work culture/positive classroom environment. Classroom management is a learned skill, and it translates into knowing how to “manage” even the most dysregulated people.
· Routines and procedures: Teachers know that routines and procedures are essential to running a smooth classroom. In a business environment, this translates into smooth and efficient office procedures that reduce wasted time.
· Teachers know how to prioritize what matters and cut out the non-essentials. Teachers have limited time (and resources) to reach their objectives, so they know how to cut out the energy wasters.
2. Teachers know how to clarify expectations and communicate them effectively to those they lead.
Effective teachers know that the key to great leadership is clearly communicating their expectations to their students, rather than assuming they know what is expected.
· Teachers know how to effectively manage teams and projects. Teachers must differentiate their lessons to teach the needs of all students. They know how to see strengths and areas for development in their students.
3. Teachers know how to simplify.
Teachers are experts at breaking down complex projects into clear, digestible, step-by-step tasks and understandable concepts
4. Teachers understand how to build relationships.
To teach effectively, great relationships with students are essential. This is a skill that teachers must learn to develop early in their careers. Relationships are the key to motivation and the key to leadership.
5. Teachers understand what it takes to help someone grow, learn and see the blind spots that may be holding them back.
Teachers are learning and growth experts, and they are skilled at carefully guiding others to be their best.
6. Teachers understand the importance of play, fun and movement.
Teachers know that every adult was once a kid, and sometimes they can get a glimpse of that kid. They know that deep down, we all have a sense of fun and need play and movement in our day to break mundane routines. Teachers know that the best work happens when we can light up, enjoy our work, and take life less seriously.
7. Teachers know how to cut through the facade and get to the truth.
Working with children means working with the most brutally honest people in the world. Kids do not hold back when it comes to telling the truth about things we might not want to hear. In business leadership roles, this can translate into cutting through surface conversations and being brave enough to hash out the truth.
8. Teachers are Public Speaking experts: They know how to communicate effectively to groups and can be some of the greatest storytellers.
9. They know how to address and manage conflict and have difficult conversations.
Any former teacher who becomes a leader knows that every conflict/scenario has happened during recess, and the teacher had to learn skills to resolve the conflict in the most positive way possible.
10. They know how to plan, organize, and set big goals in competitive, high states situations:
The cutthroat world of business is not unlike the high stake’s world of testing in schools. Teachers know how to manage stress under high pressure and have probably taken their corporate leadership position to lessen their stress levels.
11. Teachers know how to set boundaries, and they know how to teach others to set and respect boundaries.
Teachers know that without boundaries, their classrooms and lives become chaotic and unproductive. This essential skill translates into creating productive and respective work environments.
