Adjusting to the Headwinds of Leadership


In our leadership roles we often face push-back or resistance.  We call this headwind sometimes.  I do not sail, nor know much about it, but I quickly learned with a little study that sailboats can't proceed directly into a headwind.  

Sailors know that to reach your destination one must follow a zig-zag pattern called tacking, to use that headwind.  And, through purposeful adjustment of the sails, steering, and staying alert to the conditions you can reach your goal.  It is a constant adjustment. 

Just like sailing into a headwind, when a leader faces a challenge, a direct path is rarely successful.  We need to gather all our energy and resources, determine what is the best angle to proceed, adjust our course as we go and stay alert. 

I was once tasked to develop a STEM program in our very large district (54 schools, 39,000 students) in the Spring of 2017.   I knew my destination; I had some resources and so off I went.  Four principals said, "We want to do this program, and we will do it school-wide." I was thrilled to make such headway so quickly.  At the beginning of the next year, I visited the schools and only a few of the teachers were even doing the program and others had not even opened the materials.  The headwind of resistance was blowing in my direction.  I adjusted the course and took a different tack.  I moved resources from one school to another where there were willing and interested teachers. In new schools, I only provided training and material to those that wanted it.  Over time, other teachers saw the successes of their peers and their students.  Then others joined in.  Today over 8,000 students currently participate in the program.

Had I continued my original approach, the program might have failed citing wasted resources.  However, adjustment in the angle of approach made the difference.  This last month (April 20204), the district went from competing in robotics leagues, to hosting their own.  

My we learn to adjust our course and keel our sails full!


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