The Greatest Leader

“The greatest leader is not necessarily the one who does the greatest things.

He is the one that gets the people to do the greatest things.” - Ronald Reagan

I have a confession to make. I have an obsession. If you have been around me at all in the last month you will know that I cannot stop talking about the movie, The Greatest Showman. It is a movie like no other. Great acting, great music, great dancing and an even greater message. If you haven’t seen it, it just became available on iTunes Tuesday to download. Besides the obvious previously stated reasons for my obsession I have another reason to love this movie. When I watch it it takes me right back to my first 4th grade classroom. It takes me right to my current role as an instructional specialist. As a current grad student getting my degree in Educational Administration, the movie takes me to where I hope to be someday.

This movie exemplifies what it looks like and sounds like to be the “Greatest Leader”. As to not create a spoiler alert I will use the video clip of Keala Settle singing “This is Me” in front of all the other musicians for the first time. If you haven’t seen it...STOP WHAT YOU ARE DOING AND WATCH! Let me help, here is the link The Greatest Showman | "This Is Me" with Keala Settle | 20th Century FOX. The clip starts with the Producer, Michael Gracey, sharing how he kept telling Keala to move away from the music stand. He tells her to “Just step out because this is YOUR moment. You have to step out into the ring”. She moves away from the music stand and into the ring. She had her MOMENT- and everyone in the room felt it. The energy was multiplied, and each person in that room was a leader. Each person contributed to the creative greatness in the room. That moment takes me back to my classroom when my students would find their voice, their passions, just shine...and have their MOMENT. Everyone in my classroom felt it. We were a community of learners celebrating our successes and supporting each other when we struggled. These MOMENTS are happening every day, in every classroom. Teachers and students are the Greatest Leaders. In Learning Transformed (Murray & Sheninger 2017) we are reminded that everyone is part of the solution. Everyone has Greatness within them. Murray and Scheninger remind us that “ You are part of the solution”. And, my friends, we are really all part of the solution. The solution happens when we create the conditions where we come together, and collectively do what is best for students every day. Everyday we have the opportunity for MOMENTS. If you are a classroom teacher, create the MOMENT in your classroom. And take time to stop and take it all in. Let your students do the same thing. Be in the MOMENT. That MOMENT will stay with you forever. Be reminded that YOU are part of the solution. YOU are leading.

The movie takes me right to where I am. I am an Instructional Technology Specialist in one of the largest school districts in Illinois. We are in the middle of going 1:1 for all 30,000 students. We are in the midst of a shift in education. Innovation is finding its way throughout our district in big ways and small ways. We are creating MOMENTS by strategically creating opportunities for collaborative leadership. In Learning Transformed Murray and Sheninger identified 8 Keys of Intentional Design.

I find myself referring to the 8 keys when I do the work I do with teachers and administrators. As an instructional specialist, I am intentional on helping teachers create the conditions where students can experience authentic learning that is meaningful to them. My goal is student engagement. Let me be clear, authentic engagement looks and sounds a lot different than strategic compliance. On our own transformation journey we are helping teachers shift their role to allow students to take ownership of their own learning and helping their voice be heard. As an instructional specialist I hope to guide teachers so they can create MOMENTS where students step out into the ring and come alive. Students are LEADERS. They are LEADING.

The movie takes me to where I hope to someday. My dream is to become an elementary school principal. I dream of being able to create MOMENTS in a school building- for staff, students and parents. At one point in the video clip Keala reaches out to grab hold of Hugh Jackman’s hand because she is so scared. He holds her hand, and he reassures her with his presence. He was there. Hugh gets tears in his eyes and makes a sound that just says, "YES!...she is rocking it". To me, that is the essence of a great leader. Create the conditions for others to take risks, extend your hand when needed, and let them go- into the ring...and have their MOMENT.

That is what makes the Greatest Leader. Go out into the ring...this is YOUR MOMENT.