When I was brainstorming the name for my blog, there were
many ideas that came to mind. I wanted a title that would catch readers’
attention and give some insight into what I believe and value as a leader. I am
a firm believer that everything needs to be done with a purpose. The work of a
leader is too important to waste the time and energy of teachers and students.
Because I strive to ensure that everything I do is purposeful and meaningful,
purposely leading best describes my position as a leader.
As a leader, one must lead with purpose. That purpose must
be defined and communicated to all stakeholders. Leading with purpose does not
mean holding all the knowledge and planning the next moves independently.
Leading with purpose means helping others grow, allowing others to lead, and
being an advocate for all children.
Purposely leading means helping the organization achieve the
goals that have been established by being committed to doing whatever it takes
to succeed. Without a sense of direction, the likelihood is great that the
organization will loose sight of its goals. There is ample research that
suggests that school based leadership is a significant contributor to the success of
a school. Leaders stir the ship, navigate through the storms, and seek to explore unchartered waters.
Leaders committed to continuous improvement are intentional and methodical in their planning approach. Situations that occur do
not happen by chance or happenstance when a leader is purposely leading. When a leader is purposely leading, all outcomes
that occur are part of a bigger plan.
More importantly, a leader that leads with purpose knows
that bumps in the road or derailments can potentially occur.
