Leadership Calls for Action
Large organizations must remain small at heart to thrive. Clovis Unified’s school area concept and site-based management philosophy places great responsibility in the hands of area, site and department leaders to make decisions that meet the unique needs of their students, staffs and families. Leaders close to their communities know what will work well and what won’t, and they are charged with decision-making based on that knowledge.
Doc would advise, when you don’t know what to do, do something – at least you’ll know what to do or what not to do next time! You never gain experience by just sitting there. No one is ever in danger when making forward progress; part of living is failing a little and succeeding a little. You can’t stay at zero; you have to go plus or minus. Zero is only the fulcrum of the lever, and you can either be on the end, moving the weight, or you are the weight.
"The administrator's reputation is on the line
because he or she has recommended you."
- Doc Buchanan
Autonomy with Responsibility
- You have the authority to solve problems at the appropriate level.
- Take risks if it will benefit kids. Be supportive through failure. Learn from your mistakes.
- Own your school or department like it's your home.
- Be agile to respond to the new or unknown.