Benjamin Zander tells the story of two salesman going to Africa in the 1900’s. One of the salesman wrote back and talked of the bleak situation since no one had shoes, while the other salesman also wrote back excited at the opportunity they had encountered because there was huge market.
Often, two people can take the same situation and look at it either in a very negative or positive way; it is truly dependent on the person. As an educational leader, we have to be the latter. We need to look at all of the things missing in education as an opportunity to bring out some very positive change. With that being said, we also have to inspire those around us to take that same positive outlook. Education will improve because of the people that lead in the system. Period.
“The conductor of the orchestra doesn’t make a sound. He depends for his power to make other people powerful.” Benjamin Zander
The best art starts from a blank canvas. What picture will we create?
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George,
This is one of my all time favorite TED talks. Thanks for the reminder. I agree that educators need to always be looking for the potential for good. See you at Educon this weekend.
Extremly powerful statement at end, “Who am I being that my kids eyes aren’t shining.” Great question to ask educators every day.