This topic hit home for me in ways I didn't expect. The question "How do you lead?" forced me to slow down and honestly examine my own patterns rather than just theorize about leadership in the abstract.
A few things really stood out:
First, the idea that the most basic requirement for leadership is having followers — not a title, not a vision, not even a desire to lead. That reframed everything for me. Leadership doesn't begin when I receive a new responsibility or step into a role — it begins the moment someone chooses to follow. That puts the weight of leadership on relationships, not credentials.
Second, the Goleman leadership styles framework was eye-opening. I had always assumed good leaders lead from their natural temperament. Learning that the best leaders actually adapt their style — coaching, affiliative, authoritative, democratic, pacesetting, even coercive when the situation demands it — was both humbling and freeing. It means leadership is not about being someone I'm not; it's about reading the room and responding with the right tool for the moment.
Third, the concept of a leadership legacy as something that spurs present action, not just end-of-career reflection, struck me deeply. The legacy we want to leave should inform the decisions we make today. That's a powerful motivator for anyone in education, where the work we do has a ripple effect on students, families, and communities long after we've stepped away from the role.
Going forward, I want to be more intentional about:
Recognizing when I'm defaulting to management because it feels safer than leadership
Adapting my style to what my team and students actually need, rather than what's comfortable for me
Building trust through candor, constancy, competence, and caring — the qualities Bennis identified as the foundation of real leadership
I'd love to hear from others — which leadership style feels most natural to you, and which one have you had to learn to grow into?
