So last week I presented training to 8 schoolteachers and staff—my first official training as a public educator. While a little intimidating, I found my groove quickly and delivered (hopefully) a useful and enlightening presentation. What made it manageable was the fact the true principles are true principles no matter where they’re applied. Essentially, I adapted the Four Pillars of Successful Executives/Leaders to become the “Four Pillars of an Excellent Teacher.”
Without further adieu, the Four Pillars:
1. Self Acumen
- Self-Awareness
- Seek/Receive Feedback
- Control
- Ability to ‘read’ people
- Politeness
2. Person Acumen
- Personal Skills
- Empathy
- Read People
3. Subject Acumen—“Know Your Stuff
- State Standards
- Current topical knowledge
- Have a [visible] passion about XYZ
- Although you should have planned lessons, be able to talk extemporaneously.
4. Classroom Acumen (Organizational)
- Establish Vision
- Structured curriculum/lesson plans
- Know the school culture & expectations
- Classroom Management
It should be obvious that I’ve tailored this for the educational arena, but it’s also apparent how the concepts could easily be transferred to any area where leadership and influence is inherently necessary.
One other idea that I addressed that has always been definitive for me is the idea of being personal. Despite all the worldly mantras about business not being personal, I feel that its impossible to avoid being personal and what truly defines the character of a person is how they consider personal effects in EVERYTHING, not just in matters that relate to them, their family, or those they know well.
To cite a not-very-credible-but-relevant supporting source, Meg Ryan as Kathleen Kelly on You’ve Got Mail says, “ And what's so wrong with being personal, anyway? …whatever else anything is, it ought to begin by being personal.”
I welcome comments. Feel free to disagree, offer insight, or just tell me what you think.
