Running Head: MY LEADERSHIP

My Leadership Courtney Weber-Flesher California State University, San Bernardino

Dr. Jan Muto and Dr. Jayray Fiene EDUC 702 20 August 2013

My Leadership

My Leadership I inquired with multiple people in my professional setting, of which none I evaluate, to describe my leadership characteristics in a few simple words. The words provided were: caring, dedicated, innovative, knowledgeable, open minded, and proactive. My philosophy on leadership is one where the leader is far more than a manager or supervisor, who logistically oversees a school. A navigates a school toward a shared vision, solves problems, makes decisions, and provides feedback for growth. Multiple classmates noted they garnered from observing other leaders mistakes. I too feel thats been one of my best teachers. I had one of the most horrific experiences possible last week as my closest girlfriend committed suicide. She was also a fellow employee, a school psychologist. Many strengths of a leader become evident during a disaster. Weaknesses become apparent as well. My special education department is quite small- with a handful of clerical staff, five administrators and ten school psychologists. The department supports twentyseven schools in grades preschool to grade twelve. From taking this course, I purposefully analyzed my bosss response as a learning tool. I was disappointed. A cold, brutally frank email was sent to just a few staff. Four days later, there was a contact number sent out for mental health services. I received a paper on my desk on How to Grieve at Work. People were devastated in the office and no meeting was held, no debriefing session, and no therapist was called in for counseling services. I kindly asked my boss for bereavement leave to gain some composure, and my request was declined. I learned a valuable experience through the death of my friend and co-worker just how important an employees mental health is a top priority. My boss wanted to ensure that my job duties were completed, as school was about to start. I begrudgingly showed up to work and got absolutely none of my work completed. I felt bitter

My Leadership

towards my boss for not allowing me proper time to grieve away from work, which only exasperated my sadness. This experience was by far one of the biggest motivating experiences for how I have changed who I am as a leader. I historically have never understood people who brought their home life into the work environment. I was highly cyncical when my co-workers scheduled their childs pediatrician appointment during work hours. My leadership style had been a democratically based system where workers were expected to make their top priority at any time of the day, because thats how I lived my life.

When I am Director of Special Education or in leadership position, I will encourage balance for my employees.