Agents of change and leaders with high levels of ambition know that ambition is the driving force behind progress and innovation. Ambitious leaders set high-reaching goals, dream big, and work to inspire others to do the same. They are not satisfied with the status quo, and push the boundaries of what’s possible. Their ambition fuels a relentless pursuit of success.
Their ambitions might center on topics that challenge the systems in our schools. Things like homework, student voice, and student agency.
It’s great to be a visibly ambitious leader. However, if you are too ambitious, people will resist. So, how can you create an ambitious vision that is balanced by a humble reality?
The Balance Point
- Get clarity: Get clear on your current ambitions by creating a few burning platform statements. Try the Message Map protocol below. As you develop these burning platforms, keep in mind that it is more of an exercise in getting these ideas out of your head and a way for you to clarify the areas you hope to impact. It becomes your guiding light.
- Start small: Now that you have your burning platforms, resist the temptation to get people on board with matching your ambition for change and embrace the compounding effect of small wins over time. Challenge a few people at a time to reflect on and question their assumptions about the potential shifts or changes. Questions like “What might it look like if we…?” and “What would have to happen for _____to be embraced?” could be good starting points.
- Stay curious: Remember, your humility should show just as much as your ambition. You don’t have all the answers. You know that. So, getting curious about what people have already done in their experiences as it relates to previous changes and remaining curious about their perspectives can be both affirming and challenging as it relates to your own platforms.
- Be a multiplier: Now that you are clear on your ambitious pursuits and beginning to see them through the lenses of the people you are serving, it is time to encourage others without the risk of failure and with the hope of agency. Encourage people to be innovative in areas of their practice. This might look like action-research, leading book studies, collaborating around innovation, teaming up with others who share similar interests and goals.
The Power of Humility
Humility, on the other hand, keeps leaders grounded and self-aware. It encourages them to acknowledge their own limitations and learn from their mistakes. Humility can balance ambition in a way that supports your ambitious vision with just the right weight so that the real change is embraced and the adaptive challenges are met with adaptive solutions.
Humble leaders treat their colleagues with respect and empathy, understanding that every individual plays a valuable role in the school. They’re open to feedback and actively seek different perspectives. It’s great to be a humble leader. However, humility alone is unlikely to move necessary change.
The Balance Point
So, what happens when ambition meets humility?
- Vision with Compassion: Ambitious agents of change operating with high levels of humility infuse their ambitious visions into the school with a human touch. They don’t focus just on the goal but also on the people who will help achieve it. They foster a sense of camaraderie and mutual support within their schools. They encourage risk and innovation, testing and iterative thinking, as well as open collaboration and sharing.
- Resilience with Adaptability: Ambition drives us to persevere in the face of challenges. It should be acknowledged that change requires a resilient approach to adaptive challenges. What we try will require revision, iteration, and modifications. When blended with humility, these agents demonstrate an understanding that resilience is crucial for adaptive pursuits and there will be times when a different approach is needed. They’re not afraid to adjust and make necessary changes to reach the goals. It is all part of the process.
- Inspiration with Approachability: Ambition inspires and motivates, but humility ensures agents of change remain approachable. Colleagues should feel comfortable sharing ideas, raising concerns, and seeking guidance. This accessibility builds trust and fosters an open communication culture within our schools.
- Setting High Standards with Shared Understanding: Ambitious goals set high standards for performance, but humble leaders understand that people will stumble, experience starts and stops, and, at times, they’ll come up short of the intended targets. They treat professionals as equals and encourage growth, dialogue, and reflection instead of perfection.
- Success with Gratitude: When agents of change and their colleagues reach ambitious goals, their humility shines in how they share the credit with their team and the people making it happen every day. They express genuine gratitude for the collective effort and recognize the contributions of every team member.
The Impact of a Balanced Approach
Agents of change who balance ambition with humility create cultures that thrive. They inspire colleagues to pursue remarkable goals that will have an unmistakably positive impact on the lives of students and teachers while maintaining a culture of respect, collaboration, and personal growth. This combination fosters innovation, a resilient workforce, and sustainable success in our schools.
Leaders who strike the balance between ambition and humility are the ones who leave a lasting mark on their schools. They understand that leadership is not just about achieving objectives but also about how they influence and inspire the people they interact with each day. They are living proof that ambition and humility can coexist to create a culture where we all thrive.
