Page 21 - Leadership Basics Educative Leadership

Conversation 4

This conversation reveals a group of mid-level leaders cutting through the undergrowth,
sharpening their machetes and “writing policy and procedure manuals, holding muscle
development programs, bringing in improved technologies …….” The leader, showing initiative,
climbs the tallest tree, sees the bigger picture, assesses the landscape and yells, “Wrong jungle!”.
The response from the mid-level leaders still on the jungle floor, obviously blinded by efficiency is,
“Shut up! We’re making progress.” (Adapted from Covey 1989:101)
Discuss this story with your colleagues, how can this story be related to work in schools?

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