Video: Modeling The Way

In their classic book, the Leadership Challenge, James Kouzes and Barry Posner describe five practices of exemplary leadership. One of those practices in Modeling the Way. According to the authors, effective leaders set high standards and then lead by example. Good parents also understand the power their actions have on how their children behave. This point is driven home, in a VERY effective way, by a video developed by the anti-child abuse organization NAPCAN. How do your actions influence those around you? Especially those who are still learning their way in life? Are our actions the ultimate indication of our values, and thus more true than any claim we could ever make?

Leadership in Film: The Wrestler

I saw The Wrestler with Mickey Rourke a week ago, and really enjoyed the story and the acting. As with most things, I had my leadership lens on, and the scene below is one that really stood out to me. As I watched it, I thought about the connection between vulnerability and leadership. In order to build trust, group members need to be vulnerable with each other (this is one of the main points from Patrick Lencioni's Five Dysfunctions of a Team). In the scene below, Rourke's character is trying to reconnect with his daughter - who previously wanted nothing to do with him. Notice how well the actors portray vulnerability and how it builds a link between stubborn individuals. I connected with this as a parent as well.

This is another reminder of how we should try harder to be forthcoming and honest about our limitations, instead of trying to always be perfect. This can be a frightening prospect, since we've been conditioned to view leaders as infallible. If you are a command/control type of leader, vulnerability is your enemy. If you are anything else, it can be your friend. Enjoy the scene:

Uniform Policies

I saw a news report from Richmond, Indiana, which I found compelling. The school system there has started requiring uniforms for their students. I'm sure this is happening all over the country. Administrators are trying to curb inappropriate clothing in their schools, and uniforms are their answer. I was struck by how angry the parents in this news piece were. Since I view everything through the prism of leadership, here are some observations:

• Might school uniforms inhibit creative expression and encourage conformity? I couldn't locate any research on this question (please post if you know of anything). Conformity to shared values can be a good thing - but so are self-expression and wild creativity.
  
• Without uniforms, some students will wear inappropriate clothing - that's a fact. However, wouldn't those be opportunities to teach valuable lessons, including accountability?
• Is a lack of parental leadership the root cause?

Here is the video: