“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.”

― Winston Churchill

 Leading with courage often means facing failures and inadequacies. Everyone loves to glory in success, but sometimes before the hour of success, there’s a moment of failure or not quite measuring up. In the K-12 urban school, many instructional leaders, like me, have had to dig deep within to find the courage to fight when the data for state testing did not render the desired results. Despite the oppositions and many variables that are not highlighted in the data, the called and the chosen press forward.

The reality is when I laid eyes on the preliminary data for the school I lead, I cried in my pillow and carried a horrible feeling of defeat for several days. Then I remembered this quote by James Baldwin, “Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.” I had to face the challenge before me and become a leader of courage. As an intentional leader, I regrouped myself and those that I lead. Regrouping entailed a game plan that first begins with a growth mindset and not just leveraging instructional strategies and techniques. You can become the sum of your most extraordinary thoughts or succumb to thoughts of stagnation and immobility. Furthermore, in the midst of challenges, it is important to celebrate success, and small or incremental wins. Lastly, refocus on the vision. Why are we all here in the first place? Refocusing on the vision means to begin with the end in mind. Where do we want to see ourselves 187 days later: BIGGER, STRONGER, BETTER.

     I want to encourage every instructional leader out there who may be in my shoes right now. Variables that are outside our control do not deserve our time or our breathe. Variables that we can be impact is where the energy must be placed. Utilize past results to drive your present story. Build your story by leveraging intentional school leadership and allow courage to transport you and those you lead to success. 

written by Harriette Thompkins for intentionalleaders everywhere