What I learned about leadership in fifth grade

I had the best example of leadership in fifth grade at St. Dominic's School in Shaker Hts., Ohio.  Sister Timothy had come to teach at our school from some place exotic on the East coast - maybe New York.  She took an immediate dislike to us, and we reciprocated in kind.

In her mind, we were dumb as sticks.  None of us knew how to diagram a sentence! (actually, I think they should teach it now.)  She thought we were sneaky, too.

As the year progressed, things got worse.  Something happened to Sister Timothy's prized possessions - her very own Child of Prague statue - that really set her off.  The statue had been damaged slightly - I don't remember exactly what happened.  This normally angry woman became furious.

Father Worley - the cool priest, tried to talk to her.  She got angrier, and insisted that we were trying to make her life a living hell.

(Sister Timothy with her "neutral" face.)

Finally, the school principal, Sister Thomas Howard, took charge of the situation.  I will never forget what she did, and I have always tried to emulate her wonderful leadership skills.

First, she spoke privately with Sister Timothy.  Then, she spoke to our class as a group.  She let us vent for a few minutes.  Then, she asked us to give Sister Timothy a chance.  She acknowledged that we had legitimate issues with our teacher.  She asked us to make an effort, to do something hard, to try to get along with a difficult woman.

I imagine that she did the same with Sister Timothy.  First listen, then ask to try to get along with us.

It worked.  For the remainder of the school year, we worked well together.

I learned about leadership from a pro in 1967 -  leadership involves listening and challenging your followers.

I hope that our leaders start showing some of these same qualities soon - our country depends on it.