Weaving the Threads of Leadership: How Strong Leaders Create Success

On some projects, everything seems to go right. The required monthly TEA report filed accurately and on time. The federal grant proposal is uploaded early after a smooth process every step of the way. The district’s annual budget completed without a hitch (unlikely, but possible!).

When this happens, a clear question arises: What went right? How did these projects differ from others that get delayed, turned in late or contain errors that no one caught?

Almost always, successful projects involve the work of one or more strong leaders. They may be school business officers, principals or other administrative staff, teachers or volunteers. If they don’t already serve in leadership roles, they very likely will at some point in the future. What are some of their common characteristics? What leadership qualities do they have that help keep the train from running off the tracks?

Making Others Feel Seen and Understood

The writer and columnist David Brooks said it well in a lecture he delivered in 2019 at Brigham Young University:

“When you think about it, there is one skill at the center of any healthy family, company, classroom, community, university or nation: the ability to see someone else deeply, to know another person profoundly and to make them feel heard and understood.”

Brooks continued by sharing his work with the Aspen Institute’s Weave: The Social Fabric Project, where he meets individuals who excel at building communities. He refers to these individuals as “weavers,” emphasizing their unique ability to make others feel known.

The first time I heard Brooks’ lecture, my mouth dropped open because Weaver is the name of the firm where I serve as an executive leadership coach. I realized that Mr. Brooks’ ideas offered important lessons in leadership that can help not just my firm but any organization in cultivating strong leaders.

Brooks identified several traits shared by these effective leaders:

1. They plant themselves down: Strong leaders offer undistracted, focused time to those they lead by being fully present in the moment. In our fast-paced world, this rare gift of presence can significantly enhance relationships.
2. They are daring social explorers: These leaders go beyond merely keeping an open door; they actively seek to enter the worlds of those around them. This willingness to engage deepens connections and builds trust.
3. They are emotionally transparent: By approaching interactions with curiosity and openness, they create a non-judgmental space for both themselves and others, fostering genuine relationships.
4. They use their suffering well: Life presents inevitable challenges that shape us. Great leaders transform their struggles into lessons that guide and inspire others. As Richard Rohr aptly states: “Pain that is not transformed is transmitted.”

Seeing, Not Being Seen

Leadership is a transformative process that unfolds over time. Rather than seeking validation, effective leaders focus on helping others feel valued and seen. They embody the words of the late poet Maya Angelou: “People will forget what you said. People will forget what you did. But people will never forget how you made them feel.”

The best leaders strive to recognize others and help them feel acknowledged. This seemingly small act requires immense love and commitment.

Strong leaders genuinely want to see others more than they want to be seen. This sincerity is crucial, as human beings possess an uncanny ability to detect insincerity in relationships.

Leadership in Your Organization

Think about the work of those who support the work of educating students within in your office and across the district. Do you recognize these qualities in certain individuals? Can you identify people who have the ability to make you and others feel seen and heard? These individuals are likely the ones who consistently get the job done right. They are the leaders of today and tomorrow.

To learn more about Weaver’s culture and thoughtful approach to both leaders and leadership, contact us today.

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