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b e t t e r s chools | W I N T ER 2 0 2 4
READ TO LEAD “Stop Leading, Start Building”
by Robyn R. Jackson By the Yukon High School Administrative Team
Summary of the book Rebecca Middaugh: This book defines what it means to be a builder and how to use that information to truly transform a school. Rather than leaning on outdated practices that are considered traditional, Jackson provides a new approach to lasting change. How does the author differentiate between leadership and buildership? Melissa Barlow: Jackson lists and describes several characteristic descriptors of leadership which are traditional and familiar verbiage for today’s administrators. However, it was when she began to describe a builder using such terms as engage, enlist, and empower that I took an interest. Builders are described as inviting others to come along with them to create an extraordinary environment – a culture that is transformed without control, reaction, and response. School administrators embody buildership when they get their faculty to come along on the journey without dragging them but rather by building something so compelling, they choose to join in. Clark Crawford: Before reading this book, I probably would have had a hard time describing the difference between being a leader and a builder, but it is clear there is a significant difference between them. Although simple, the author describes a leader as being one who focuses on the processes of how things are done and is willing to inspire, delegate, coach, and intervene. On the other hand, she says a builder focuses on values, engages, enlists, co-creates, and prevents. Interestingly, Jackson notes that practicing leadership in schools is not necessarily enough to expect big results from students or schools. Some aspects of school leadership
are flawed because they would need the perfect conditions with the right staff, the right students and parents, and the right boss. She goes on to say that buildership can help move your school forward right now with the current staff and other stakeholders. Finally, she differentiates leadership and buildership by explaining that leaders try to convince others to follow them, whereas builders invite others to help them build something extraordinary. Steve Hunt: Leaders do everything they can to put people in position and offer supports to be successful in achieving goals. On the other hand, builders do the work together with others and allow others to lead based on common goals. How is this book different from other educational books you’ve read? Vicky Kesler: This book causes you to look at working together as a whole school team effort. The priority becomes 100% of the students benefiting from the collective group working as one. We must start by having the same vision; to do that, we (staff, teachers, administrators) need to work together to make the school vision our own. Natalie Haworth: This book was different from other educational books I have read because it includes specific, actionable, and tangible steps that can be taken to improve schools and organizations on both a large and small scale. It also makes you ponder specific things that need to be addressed or fixed within your
own school and does not offer blanket advice or steps when addressing areas of concern and building people up to improve the school. What is one “aha” from this book you plan to apply to your role as a school leader? Michael Perez: The intentionality of being a builder as opposed to just being a leader. I believe leadership and buildership coincide with one another and that different qualities must be displayed in order to be a leader or builder effectively. I plan to be intentional with my school’s mission and vision statements and always go back to the “why” when addressing issues. Core values will be important to reflect on as they will be the foundation for teachers and even administrators. Buildership is a process, but staying consistent will allow me to develop builder traits and characteristics that will foster growth and my ability to help others with their “why.” I plan on staying consistent and tracking my individual growth in hopes of seeing builder qualities in this process. Vicky Kesler: Our goal should always be that 100% of our students will succeed in our school. Often in this job, we move from one task to the next with little time to fully process that our decisions will forever impact students. I always want our students to be successful outside of these school walls. However, putting into perspective that this must include ALL of our students is really impactful, and that our students will not fail if we work together as a team. Melissa Barlow: My “aha” moment came very early in the book, when Jackson states, “Without a clear sense of purpose, you’ll never escape it. You’ll be trapped there for your entire administrative career, always chasing your goals but never reaching them.” She goes on to walk the reader through the process of defining their purpose, which in turn guides each next step in a builder’s journey. ■
The Yukon High School administrative team consists of Principal Melissa Barlow and Assistant Principals Clark Crawford, Natalie Haworth, Steve Hunt, Vicky Kesler, Michael Perez, and Rebecca Middaugh. Each semester, they select a book to study together, giving them collaborative opportunities centered around professional growth and school improvement.
