I am a big fan of Peter and Mike and the work they put out into the edusphere through the Instructional Leadership Collective. This is not a paid endorsement, but an unsolicited sentiment straight from my heart! One of the reasons I am so drawn to their work is because they are not two smart guys pretending to have all the answers. They are two smart guys who are continually learning and authentically sharing their journeys of growth.

The magnetic pull I feel toward their collective growth approach to leadership causes me to pause and wonder if I am approaching my own work in the same way. On my best days, I would like to believe I employ a collaborative approach as a true perpetual learner. Without question, I believe I will forever have a lot of room to grow. But there are those moments when insecurity creeps in and I battle the urge to produce the right answers, to prove myself in some way—though I am not exactly sure what I am trying to prove. What I do know, is that I want to consistently reflect a core belief that I will always have a lot to learn and a responsibility to use what I learn to make the world a better place.

The most meaningful learning communities I am a part of are the ones where everyone shows up as their full and genuine selves, who find great joy in the process of learning and doing. I want to be a consumer and contributor in these learning communities. So I’m adopting a “Let’s Grow & Let’s Go!” mentality. I am choosing to engage in a never-ending season of growing and taking action in partnership with others. And at the risk of sounding a little bit cheesy, I can’t wait to see what grows next!

Lisa Lande

Even when I think I know what is at play or what the root of the problem is, I practice staying curious. That means opening up space to listen carefully, ask decent questions, listen for what is NOT said, read body language and more.

Expressing genuine empathy is essential to help people honestly open up, so that I can learn from them. Finding authentic connection generates shared purpose in coming to a solution.

I continue to learn by remaining ready to unlearn.

I watch my own thought process and go on alert whenever I think I know what is at play. A common thought pattern is, "I know what is going on here..." It is a signal to me to listen harder and find another perspective or possibility. I welcome the chance to dive into the "gray" and see what I find.

And...of course. I read. I'm currently reading Adam Grant, who likely has influenced this post;)