Rooted Together we Grow Greatness |
|
Summer has afforded me time to spend with my nephew’s 2 year old son. I am thrilled to say he has warmed up to me over time and we were able to spend early morning time together at a nearby playground. He loved the slide, but even while climbing up or sliding down he always noticed other children riding bicycles. He would enthusiastically point and say, “bike.” Based on his attention to bicycles and his desire to be a “big boy,” we bought him his first bicycle. We also found a dinosaur helmet with a green mohawk. |
|
Having never been on a bicycle, just getting on was a challenge. As much as he had anticipated and as excited as he was, taking the first step, getting on the bike, was difficult and noticeably scary. He initially wanted help, but with coaxing and encouragement, he took the risk. Though the bike felt wobbly and unstable, he was able to pull himself up onto his bicycle. |
|
The “celebration” for the progress made was brief as the wobbling, stationary bicycle reminded us all the mission of riding a bicycle was not yet complete. Pedaling a bicycle was another new skill to attempt. With frequent coaching, coaxing and encouragement, he risked frustration and embarrassment by publicly trying something new and complex for his untrained, inexperienced muscles. The coordination of pushing the top foot forward and down while pulling the bottom foot back and up was quite challenging…sometimes, pushing down with one foot pushed the pedals the wrong way and instead of moving forward, engaged the brakes, bringing the whole operation to a halt. The more frequently this happened, the more I started to think he had actually figured out the brakes and intentionally “pedaled the wrong way” when the bicycle was moving a little faster than what felt safe. Nevertheless, with support from his “coaches,” he started to get it, until… The crash! For this story, the “how” isn’t as important as the “effect.” The simple fact is, he crashed and though he was wearing his helmet, he awkwardly fell face first in such a way that a knot immediately began to form on his forehead…falling, the third new skill for riding a bike, and he didn’t know how to do that very well either. After the tears subsided, he was done with the bike. He was done with the helmet. Gone were the joyous smiles of anticipation. Gone were the determined, satisfied and proud looks of progress. The rumble with imperfection, realizing things don’t always work out so great and are downright painful and embarrassing had begun. For the rest of the evening, the mere mention of riding the bike had a negative impact on his mood. Night came and went and the sun came up on a new day. Maybe it was simply because it was a new day. Maybe it was the thought of showing his parents he was a “big boy” and could now ride a bike. Whatever it was, a little bit of the joy and determination had returned. So, with his helmet fit securely, he began to mount the bicycle displaying some of the newly coordinated techniques of the previous day. |
|
I could only imagine the thoughts that may have been going through his mind as he rumbled with the risk of another painful failure versus the reward of possible success… I was so excited to be a big boy and ride a bike like all the older kids. I even had a dinosaur helmet to help protect me. Riding a bike is not easy. Crashing hurts really, really BAD. It’s scary to think that I might crash again. But I want to be a big boy, I want to know the thrill of riding a bike, I want to make my mom and dad proud…IS IT WORTH IT? Is it worth risking wasted effort, public humiliation, physical and emotional pain? Is it worth it? Is what’s on the other side worth the risk? Is it worth facing my fears? Is the consequence of “failure” (physical and emotional pain, public humiliation, etc.) worth it? |
|
Leadership implies change. Change implies demonstrating new and innovative actions based on new learning and unprecedented challenges. The challenges of leadership may cause one to wonder, “Is it worth it?” And when it does, it is important to stay focused on the pursuit of our meaningful purpose…our students. We “exist” to make sure our students are “success ready for what’s next.” So, whether “what’s next” is the next unit, semester, season, school year, training program, vocation, college, or career, we are called to make choices that will help our students live successfully in the future. Notably, these choices frequently conflict with decisions that allow us as adults to live comfortably in the present. We are called as leaders to create learning environments in which our students are equipped with the knowledge, skills, habits and dispositions required to achieve success. And when our students succeed, then it is definitely worth it! |
|
Rooted leaders grow greatness together! |
|
|
