When it comes to influencing education, leaders have a unique ability to shape the educational environment. As school leaders, we must understand that teams can function independently or cooperatively, each contributing their unique skills and knowledge toward a common goal. In this article, we will explore some of these qualities of effective leaders. They can also influence education at a local level, from classrooms to district offices. Ultimately, we will determine how leaders influence education through their teams.
A team leader must model learning and development for his or her team. Providing feedback and encouragement will help team members learn from one another. Leaders who encourage and facilitate learning by sharing their knowledge will be more likely to receive positive feedback from their teams. The same is true for those who limit their team’s ability to grow and learn. A team leader should strive to develop the knowledge and skills of the team, rather than imposing an exclusive agenda for the group.
Leadership behaviors that influence team performance are essential for successful teams. Teachers often prefer to work independently and resist change. In this article, we will discuss three types of leadership behavior. One type of leadership is the vertical source, whereas the other two are shared. Team members perform behaviors that are consistent with the goals of the team. The shared source is the most powerful type, since it is shared among all team members. The vertical source of leadership demonstrates the behaviors of the formal team leader while the shared source involves behaviors performed by the team members.
While the concept of teacher-leaders leading teams is not new, it is still rare. Most teacher teams are not empowered to lead a team, and few achieve the potential of this approach. By learning from the best examples, we can increase our own impact on students and peers. Let’s start by exploring what makes a team effective and how it can influence education. So, let’s start with the differences among teacher teams.
In general, the difference between person and task-focused team leadership is evident. When a team leader focuses on task-based learning, the learning of the team is more likely to be adaptive. In contrast, task-focused team leaders systematically inhibit team learning. A combination of both styles of team leadership can promote learning. You can also observe differences in team behaviors in different leadership styles, such as combining task-focused and person-focused practices.
Leadership teams also foster collaborative leadership, which is vital for a healthy school community. Leaders must understand how their decisions affect students, teachers, and parents. They must create ways to involve the community in the school’s life, as this can provide new ideas and insight. Ultimately, they must be willing to believe that each student deserves a better education, and they should be able to create an environment in which each student can thrive.
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