achieve

I recently attended a presentation by Richard Barth (CEO of the KIPP Foundation) where he talked about the 82 KIPP schools they've built since 1995, and their vision and plans for the future. I've also had the pleasure of hanging out with two other leaders of schools in the last few months - Bill Kurtz of Denver School of Science and Technology (DSST), and Larry Rosenstock of High Tech High (HTH).

Each is different, but they share some traits. They almost always say "our," "we," or "us" instead of "my," "I," or "me." Their motivation is not personal recognition but rather the success of their students. Their outlook is more futuristic and forward-looking/inspiring than most, but they have the gift of blending that with operational effectiveness today. They have an unwavering commitment to one thing - graduating students who are on a path to personal greatness.

There's more to being a leader:

You need a great bench - are you grooming those who will follow you? (When I asked Richard Barth, he said he views this as one of KIPP's core competencies - interesting.) Are you creating those who will be recruited to lead other organizations? (I have seen this personally at High Tech High.) How effectively will your organization run when you're not there? (When I visited Denver School of Science and Technology and met the deputies (plural) it was pretty obvious.) We measure an organization by how well it performs when the leader leaves - while each of these individuals is truly great, I can say with conviction that if asked, they will care more about the legacy of the institution, and more the destiny of each graduate of the institution than their own "brand."

There is one final characteristic to great leadership - achievement.

Each of these gents has gotten it done.

But I also know none of them are satisfied - there are many more children to serve.

Is there more? Yes. Meet the people that work at KIPP, DSST and HTH and you'll see a perfect example of yet one more dimension of leadership - they are able to bring people to the table who are amazing, committed, brilliant and relentless about their students' destinies. They each feel empowered, supported and impelled to do great things. And you can meet each group and know which leader each works for. Each leader has a distinct personality and their people embrace it wholeheartedly.

It is this last that is most magical to me - the ability to attract great teachers and create this powerful ethos. Hiring a great leader is the most crucial factor in creating a successful school - now we just have to find them.