Leadership for this moment.

I've been thinking a lot about the leadership required for this moment in the education sector, when the twin forces of declining federal funding and unpredictable student enrollment are spurring org restructures and revisions to the strategic plan.

In this moment, a senior leader may be inclined to retreat among a small group of trusted advisors, develop a plan, and present it to larger team as The Path Forward.

I get it.

This approach can signal confidence and steadiness.

But it can also cleave the team into "us" and "you all," diminishing overall investment, creativity, and focus.

Here are two thoughts for consideration.

💡 Practice partnership by inviting those who may be most affected by proposed changes to the decision-making conversation, and make decision-making clear.

💡 Distribute power and see the abundant possibilities in empowering more people – people “down the org chart” – to own the outcomes of a decision.

Sharing power can feel like a very risky proposition, especially if there's a concern that staff will bail at the knowledge that change is imminent.

(Psst. They already know.)

Try this: take a deep breath, create opportunities to engage team members at the right level of access, and navigate the uncertainty together.