What do I really need to know and how can I learn it? What a great section. Social/emotional intelligence, communication skills, reflection, kindness/respect, knowledge of learning theory and teaching methodology, organization/prioritization, systemic thinking, shared vision, and humility are all the skills one must master if he/she wants to be a successful leader. I believe I have spent the past 15 years of my career focusing on several of these strategies but I have failed to leave out the reflection portion of it. I have always reflected on why my team won or lost a game, or why a class didn’t do well on a test, but I have never taken the time to ask others for their perceptions and then use what they say. Why would I do that? That would open the doors for potential hurt or pain and cause me to feel vulnerable. This would require being able to handle the constructive criticism and possible judgments. I’d like to sit down with a colleague someday and try this. I would have to find someone that is trustworthy and honest. That is a challenge in itself. It is difficult to receive criticism and sometimes hard to give it.
Yes, I agree that criticism is both hard to receive and to give. I recently had to observe a colleague teach as part of an assignment, but it wasn't as bad as I expected, I guess the key word is TRUST.
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