Leadership Lessons from Miss H

Last week my teenage son emerged from his bedroom around 20.30, I assumed he was returning to civilisation because he wanted his post dinner snack. At 16, it's very much like when he was a baby, he has to have food every 2 hours! He started his sentence with "Please don't be mad at me...." My mind immediately flipped to gaming, what had he done? "We have a bake sale tomorrow and I need to take cookies". Phew! That's solvable. I was engrossed in a work deadline so suggested he gabbed something from the cupboard and took that.

"I can't he said, I cannot let Miss H. down. I promised to make cookies"

Now think about that response for a while; he is a teenager and he doesn't want to let his teacher down! The cookies emerged from the oven around 22.00, he'd made them with oats and raisins; high protein because most of the boys are building muscle at the moment. The only other problem he had to solve was stopping his older brother from eating them when he got back from the gym!

I smiled and reflected upon the amazing Miss H. I couldn't think of any teenager who complained about her? The only comments I get is that's she is a brilliant teacher!

The next evening I went to school for the exhibition of the project work and the bake sale. It was a packed hall and the teenagers had been there all day. They were exhausted and enthusiastic. It was 18.20 on a friday, so I was definitely ready for the weekend. I said to my son, once everything was cleared up; "Shall we go now?", "We can't" he replied - this wasn't a we can't because we will get told off, but more of we can't out of respect and commitment to Miss H. and her colleagues.

I just needed to unpick this and learn, what is it she does, and what can we leaders learn from her?

What can we learn from Miss H?

Shared Purpose

She gets the teenagers engaged and motivated around a common purpose. The bake sale is to raise money for an end of year trip. It's a simple equation, the more they earn, the more "exotic" the trip. Already they have come up with multiple creative ideas to make money and they have raised more than their target at this milestone. Whatever they do in class, she sparks their interest.

Gives autonomy

She gives them the freedom to make their own decisions. They decided where they go on the end of year trip, and during the year she will give them the autonomy to work in a way that meets their needs. She is very clear about the decisions that they can′t make.

Creates boundaries

She sets very clear boundaries within which they operate. She never shouts at them but treats them with respect which means they do the same to her. If they overstep the boundary, she will have a conversation with them, never raising her voice. She also has flexibility with the boundaries, so enables them to experiment a little and make some mistakes, but ensures that they learn.

Listens to understand

She listens to them. When they said that they had missed out on a few trips due to the pandemic, she understood and acted upon it. She will stick up for them, they are her team and she will ensure that any bureaucratic obstacles that get in the way of them achieving their goals, are removed.

A learn it all

She is not a know it all. When the teenagers challenge her in lessons she absolutely will listen to them. She encourages them to explore their thinking and she will not overrule their opinions.

Assertive and caring

She is not afraid to speak up but it's always from a place of caring. My son was late two weeks in a row for her 8am class due to a cancelled bus. She didn't shout at him. She said "Come on mate, it's now twice, what can you do differently?". That was enough for him to get an earlier bus!

Gets her sleeves rolled up

She does a lot for them, she is involved without interfering. She ran the bake sale for 9 hours. She in no way acts as superior to them, yet she has a boundary to them.

There is a lot we as leaders we can learn from Miss H.

Teachers, like leaders have a profound impact on people. I remember my teacher at 16 who told me not to bother taking exam re-takes because I would probably fail again. He suggested I should take a secretarial course and maybe improve my sewing skills because I'd never be able to afford to but my own clothes!!!! Thankfully I had an adult who could see my potential.

Conclusion

All of the above are relevant to leaders too because what Miss H is doing is treating these teenagers with respect, giving them autonomy within boundaries and empowering them to do their best. She gets results and so can you!

Liz Rider is an Organizational Psychologist, thought Leader on Leadership, LinkedIn Top Voice on Leadership and Former Global Head of Leadership. Liz has a strong career working with large multinationals around the globe. Her mission is to enable people to thrive in our companies, unleashing the true potential through people first leadership.

BTW I still can't sew, YET!

Let's talk Leadership but not sewing please!

https://calendly.com/liz-rider