Big Picture, Little Picture.
One suspects that many of you have had this debate. After all we have all been in the work force in some capacity. What, Dear Reader, do you think makes a good leader? Indeed, can leadership be taught or is it instinctive and innate?
Looking at job advertisements and the requirements thereof over the years, it seems that leadership positions nowadays require degrees in this, certificates in that; so much so that Superman and Superwoman would be unavailable to save the planet because they would forever be upgrading. Don’t get me wrong. The pursuit of knowledge is a wonderful thing. As a teacher I have always wanted to encourage lifelong learning. But, Friends, so much good learning is on the job, is applying common sense in support of expertise; understanding the nuances and vicissitudes of people’s character. Yes, indeed there are some aspects of the school environment that have needed a good kick in the pedagogy from time to time so that no child finds themselves in an educational black hole. But, Friends, I am going to ‘but’ you a few ‘buts’ in this wee missive, there are some initiatives that should never have left the drawing board other than into the recycling bin.
In my working life, it was always a concern when a new post was created. One tried to be positive when, say, ‘The Department of Itain’tbrokebutimgoingtofixitanyway’ was suddenly created out of the blue. The institution in my experience had been going along swimmingly so it did not need a new ‘Head of Cockamamie’. Suddenly one was faced with a new person who was keen, energetic and ready to create and mold and do something stunning. (To me electric cattle prods are stunning!) However we welcomed her or him with all friendliness and openness, we made a point of introducing ourselves and then we sat back and waited. Inevitably would come a date for a meeting, an email full of ideas and ideals, a plethora of substance which we never knew we needed. But there it was! We went along with it because we didn’t want to rock the boat. Besides which we were already otherwise engaged at that for which we were being paid. Then came the day when volunteers were asked to form part of a committee. It was to be an elite group of people who had bought into the new system, they were to come among us and inspire us to think of different ways of doing things. We were to move forward from our comfort zones aka ‘ruts’ and see a new light. We were to become evangelical of improvements, suborn all that was previous, for the novel and aspirational. In the case of schools, students had never learned properly before so the classroom was to become a very different place. Those of us who had been around for years had experienced many ‘different places’ in our careers and in some cases, had experienced the ‘new’ idea some 30 years previously. However, not wanting to sound old fogeyish we sat back and decided to rummage around and dig out the old hat from the wardrobe and allow it to be dusted off thus pretending it was recently bought anew. Honesty was placed on the back burner so that our eyes appeared wide open with wonder when really they were glazed windows to a very different soul. We were indeed stunned. So our new leaders donned their safari gear, sharpened their machetes and disappeared into the undergrowth. Those of us who followed saw the flash of their blade as they cut a sweating swathe though virgin bush. All we really wanted to do was point out to them that there was a perfectly straight tarmacked road only a couple of yards to their right if only they would take a keek. Ach, Dear Reader, this wee tale of woe is in danger of becoming an amalgam of cliché ridden analogies! Time to change to a more positive picture but before I do so I do need to point out again that there were some changes that happened in my teaching career which were necessary and have improved the lives and education of children and professionals no end. They did need to happen.
It should be said that I have experienced great leadership during my working life. Moments when a crisis has been averted; ramped up situations which the leader has ramped down; the Head who allows the teacher to run with one of their own ideas rather than feeling threatened; the leader who breaks the rules because of common sense and, most importantly, caring humanity; the man or woman who pats you on the back at the same time reminding you that such a gesture is pretty close to a kick up the jacksie; the person who will never ask you to do something that they will not do themselves.
Two occasions from my own experience spring to mind. I remember being frustrated and angry and overwhelmed and seeking out the ‘Boss’ for a solution. Storming in with righteous indignation, I found the Head behind his desk. A verbal, breathless exposition then proceeded from within me. Believe me friends I was so fluent I was effluent. At a convenient moment, the ‘Boss’ managed to get a sentence in edgeways.
“Pete, did I show you the pictures from my hike last weekend, Glorious weather, fantastic scenery?”
Caught off guard and nonplussed was I. This was not why I was in his office and yet he was not to be shifted back to where I wanted him to be, He reached for his phone and skimmed through his Saturday in the mountains. After a while he must have noted that I became calmer and, eventually, came back to the problem, a problem which could be solved with relative ease.
A different time, a different problem, a different Head and another Davidson frustration. On that occasion I left his office with the broadest of grins. We had talked rugby and the ‘old country’ and he had praised me greatly for the job I was doing. I went home and gleefully shared the conversation with Irene and she asked,
“Was your problem solved?”
I was struck dumb with wonder all too dread for words, my gab did gape. It was only then that I realised that I had left his office never having talked about my issue. Not only was I none the wiser but nor was he! It had all been lost in a welter of stories and glorious bonhomie. I was gob smacked at my dumb naivety. I felt marvellous, my head was held high, I would follow him into battle without a thought for my own safety, and yet, Dear Reader, my question was never raised and, of course, never answered. And here I am many years later, remembering the meetings with affection and with absolutely no recollection of what the issues were that were so important at the time. Now that, friends, I suggest is leadership but whether or not it is good leadership then I leave you to judge.
I do know this, however, that the Head involved in the first issue I mentioned had a knock on the door one day from a young male employee who was a graduate but had ambitions other than being a teacher. This was a young man with an excellent rapport with children and teachers. He could be given any task and it was completed in double quick time. He sat down with that Head and explained that he was devastated because his fiancé had left him. His attendance at work had suffered because he had been on some alcohol ridden benders to manage his grief. He apologised but said that he was an emotional wreck. The Head told him that he was to take the time he needed, that it was great if he was in and working and if he wasn’t then he would understand. His job was safe. The Head would cover for him, take the pressure of him and allow him time to heal. Eventually he came back into the fold. When it came time for him to leave the school and pursue his professional and personal dreams, he told me that he would do anything for that particular boss; that he was filled with gratitude for the way that his situation had been handled.
These examples of leadership are not in any manual although possibly out there in some philosophical, psychological, ethical ether. To me, they are based on life experience, common sense, empathy and simple decent humanity. They are also examples of courage and the sound belief that the right thing needed to be done.
“The task of leadership is not to put greatness into humanity but to elicit it as the greatness is already there.” John Buchan
It seems to me that at the moment at least one of the world’s leaders could do with a crash course in how to ‘put greatness into humanity’ because a nihilistic invasion of a peaceful country is not going to allow people to get in touch with the better angels of their natures is it. Quite the opposite, I would suggest.
It seems to me sometimes that to be a leader one has to have qualities which many would not regard as qualities. It is a matter of judgement in leaders as to when the little picture is more important than the bigger and vice versa. The best ones see both. The worst surround themselves in a war room with sycophantic gutless flatterers and then the big picture becomes smaller and smaller until the reality of the lives of ordinary people fades ever more distantly, a speck on the horizon, a perspective lost, the lasting legacy of a fatally flawed human being.
Welcome to March.
13 Replies to “Big Picture, Little Picture.”
Hi Peter,
Tin pot degrees, masters in bull dust and doctorate’s in two faced diplomacy do not lead to good leaders! It may help the odd few. However real leaders are born with that gift. Understanding there people and how to get the best out of them. Praise, listening ,guidance
And good old common sense. Leadership cannot be taught ! J. B. Was right. Greatness is in us all. It’ takes a great person to lead us to that promised ideal.
I worked with a great head of department at a school in Lincoln. He was affectionately known as “Captain Bob”. A quiet man who listened to his staff and formulated ideas that we all liked and the department achieved success in the public exams each year.
The headmaster, a buffoon, eased out Bob, with his envious eyes. Led the school into special measures. Then didn’t see why all his key staff left, including me!
My friend we all have tales we can tell. I’ve enjoyed yours. Look forward to the next blog.
There were a few heads in of aspirin and coffee at the old rugby club, after the match! Me too.😃😆😃!
Martin
Hello Peter.
Pleased to hear your latest blog. Once again it rings true to similar experiences in the world of education. Leadership is a special quality and those who have it and use it wisely are gold dust, in my opinion. I, like you, had very good immediate bosses who knew how to handle me, in fact they knew my strengths and weaknesses better than me. All they had to do was light the touch paper and i was off, getting on with job. At least i like to think i did. But, the escalation of managerialism and petty empire building did not sit comfortably with me. A bright, perceptive team manager, call him/her head of department or head master if you like, who knew what education meant; ie; that learning is taking place, and had the wide experience of ‘life’ and the wisdom and sense required to implement those tools as well as how to motivate and see when things need to change and be improved. This is leadership. My first leader was a head of geography down in Suffolk. An Ipswich man with a love for his team at Portman road. So it was inevitable that we would get on, and i was his guest on a few occasions to see the great team that Bobby Robson won the old first division title with. In that team by the way, was an exciting young fullback called George Burley, a Scottish international and wonderful attacking player. Chris Crawford, was excellent in his enthusiasm for all things educational, subject and student centred and a consistent friend. My next boss, of course you know so well. Our mutual friend. Well he too had the leadership qualities that make for a perfect boss. So astute, clever and very talented, but overall a wonderful sense of fun and totally committed to the job. I always felt that i was covered and shaped by him and given the freedom to use what talents i had. I hold him in high esteem and respect for all the years we worked together. So, how lucky was I ? I thought about your experience a lot when the ‘boss’ caught your interest and defused whatever problem or issue you were charged with. That is pure skill. And his hiking anecdotes of being up in your beloved Highlands (that is one of my favourite words, ‘highlands’. It can only truly be applicable to Scotland, despite the fact that highlands are all over the world), has reminded me of another piece of literature i have come across recently.. In reading Robert Macfarlane’s books i came across his promotion of the poetry of a remarkable lady called Nan Shepherd. She was an Aberdonian who became a lecturer at the College of Education in Aberdeen and Macfarlane has inspired her work to be republished for the first time in 80 years. I have read her prose work “The Living Mountain” and now have her poetry collection “In the Cairngorms”. He says of her that she ‘lived all the way through, relishing the feel, sight, scent and sounds of the world’. Forgive me if you already have her work, but i just thought of this particular poem . It is something all of us would love to write about experience among the mountains.
“O licht amo; the hills
S’uld ye gang oot
To whatna dark the warld’ll fa’
Nae mair the thochts o’men
‘Il traivel ‘yont the warld
frae aff some sninin’ Ben
Nae mair the glint o’snaw
Oot ower the warld’s wa’
‘Il mak men doot
Gin they’ve their e’en or na
O licht amo’ the hills !
Look up ‘Geopoetics in a time of crisis’ a lecture given by Richard Roberts at Herriot Watt.
She was brilliant . Incidentally, in your last response you replied about my daughter Emma’s husband, called Philip Robson.. He is a true northener, a Whitby lad. But the name originates in Scotland, as obviously it the ‘the son of Rob’. Earliest references to it are in the 15th C. growing out of the Gunn clan of northern Scotland, and believed to have been a Nordic root. The name spread south and by the 16th C the Robson name was centred on the North Tyne valley around Falstone. They were bitter feuders against the Armstrongs of Liddesdale in the Langholme area, during the Border Reivers war times and gradually moved south to colonise Durham and Yorkshire, but thinning out in Lincolnshire. There are an estimated 6,000 Robsons in Canada, 9,000 in Australia and some 28,000 in the UK making it the 203rd most frequent family name. Philip is a good lad. He works in, with, for, and whatever he does, computers. In other words i have no idea ? But, on deciding to have a home birth, on the day of baby’s arrival the two midwives were late and they found Philip holding the baby’s head as he had come minutes early. So, he has already gone up in my estimation. Hope you are all well. Keep these blogs coming i really do enjoy them and as i have said before, they stimulate memory and i am all in favour of that, given the age. Let us all hope that the lights in the hills stay on and wisdom prevails in this precarious world of ours. kind regards , Geoff
Ahh, Geoffrey, Nan Shepherd and Robert Macfarlane. My blog entitled “The Living Mountain” on June 1st 2020 was a tribute to that little gem of a book. I have recently reread it and will dip into it again over the next few weeks because of your reminder. I am in the midst of “Bothy Tales” by John D. Burns, another author which my excellent brother, George, has recommended. He knows me so well and rarely recommends a dud of a book. The arrival of the latest Robson sounds like a very exciting adventure for the Dad!! You are too kind in praise of my blogs, Geoffrey, but your replies are an informative joy, particularly when you touch on such things as our mutual friend and one of the leaders and friends we think so highly of. Incidentally “The Living Mountain” blog that I wrote a while ago and you can find if you wish is the only one where I mustered enough skill to include a 19 minute video of a couple of friends hiking the Larig Ghru! It seems a long time ago now and I have absolutely no idea how I was able to somehow manage the technology to do it! Thanks again for reading, Geoffrey.
thanks for putting me on to your tribute blog to Nan shepherd and Rob Macfarlane. I have replied to you on that one. also for the book recommendation from you and your brother. It will be here tomorrow – looking forward to reading it ….”Bothy Tales”.
I enjoyed this, Pete. I wasn’t sure if I recognised any of our leaders, but I will repeat the quote from my book that applied to Muir Meredith–“Leadership is not about who’s boss or who’s in charge. It’s about who gains respect from others.” I was lucky enough to have two leaders like that in my career. The others were not confident enough in themselves to risk being human.
Aaah, Rose, Muir Meredith, a Headmaster who was not too proud to drive the school bus when needs must; a gentle man with the heart and soul of a warrior; never fearful of his own position; never a man to use jargon as a jingle; a man who stepped in when there was a crisis and stepped back when others needed to shine. I am sure that he is doing all that and more in his retirement in Nanaimo with his curling and his social interactions and, now that travel is on the cards, touching people in a good way in other parts of the world.
Hello Pete and Rose, too. Of course, I read all your blogs Peter with enjoyment. Thank you both for the compliments and the friendship. I am jealous of you both, naturally, for your writing and publishing. I have a stack of random writing and more in files on my confuser. I am currently stalled and looking for a course or direction to consolidate my writing. I am like so many not our students and in fact like I was as a student, procrastinating! I will persevere in large part thanks to your inspiration. Thank you both!
I too have many files on my ‘confuser’! For what its worth I try, but often fail, to take them off my confuser and transfer them to my computer! Sorry, just teasing, thanks for reading the blogs. I am sure that you are closer than what you think to finishing your memoir and I am equally sure it will be an excellent read.
Ha Ha! Not so sure! As I looked at my comment, I realized that I could not even spell my name! Also it was supposed to read, ” so many OF our students”. I could edit forever! Anyway, I love your writing!
Sorry for poking fun. Couldn’t resist it. I want your memoir published and in my grubby hands by years end. Can’t wait to read it.
Grandfather Muie once recommended I make a list and knock the three most important items off of it each day. Perhaps he should put putting off procrastination on the top of his list so that we can all enjoy his library of tales. Looking forward to it.
Thanks again for reading Li’l Pit. This means a great deal. Did you recognise any leaders here?
Oooooh! You recognised Muie as Muir. Sorry I am a smidge slow in my old age!!