Servant Leadership

Thanksgiving is by far my favorite of the major American holidays. Absent the aggressive commercialism foisted upon many other sacred celebrations, Thanksgiving harkens back to our roots as an agricultural society in which the primeval rhythm of the seasons dictated the extent to which we thrived or suffered during the winter months.

Of course there are also the traditions, those familiar rituals with which we have grown up: deer hunting in the crisp dawn, touch football in the backyard, the Butterball Bird, the sausage stuffing, the creamed spinach, the cranberry sauce, the pies, and Uncle Gordon snoring fitfully in front of the TV. I love Thanksgiving's emphasis on gathering family together, on celebrating the harvesting of crops lovingly nurtured, and on offering thanks for the abundance with which we are blessed. Thanksgiving is a time when we take stock of our bountiful lives and when we remind ourselves that we have much to be thankful for.

As an educational leader, this is a good time to remind myself that I also have much to be thankful for. I work at an exceptional school alongside a talented, passionate, and dedicated faculty who offer an expansive variety of personalized learning to students both during and after school. And the families who support our community are characterized by the energy and commitment they bring to ensuring that their children are guaranteed a quality education.

For me leadership itself is something to be thankful for because my definition of leadership suggests that it only through the grace of others that leaders can lead. Some time ago my father shared with me the philosophy of leadership he practiced during his tenure as chair of a collegiate English Department: "Listen patiently, talk less, and preach not at all." This advice resonates with me because it expresses what I believe to be the essential characteristic of successful leadership - humility. In my opinion, the most effective leaders are those who, by virtue of the responsibilities they owe to their communities, define themselves first as servants.

As a servant of such a community, it is my mission to place the interests of the school above all else. By honoring individual diversity and integrity, by trusting in consensus, and by modeling professionalism and accountability, it is my hope that I can earn the respect of those whom I serve. And by honoring the values of inquiry, compassion, honesty, commitment, empathy, courage, creativity, and humor, it is my hope that I can foster an educational community dedicated to excellence.

Since I believe that education teaches that there is no one best answer to a single question, as a leader I must make it clear that many voices are necessary to propose many potential answers. Many voices make much noise, but leaders must embrace the ambiguity that fosters creativity and assist others in making sense of those creative noises. Only by empowering and thanking others can a servant leader ensure that an institution thrives.

Another aphorism I remember my father sharing with me after I had been named to the All-League team in college was this: "When you are commended for standing tall, remember it is often because you are standing on the shoulders of those who are good enough to support you." My duty as an educational servant is to be thankful to those students, parents, trustees, teachers, alumni, and friends who are good enough to support me.

--Steve McKibben
11/27/05