There’s too much anger and finger-pointing in our world — so much blaming of others — especially these days.
Some people and communities are definitely more fortunate than others — I have many things that others do not.
If we all took a bit more time to practice gratitude — for both the big and little things — I’m pretty sure our world would be a better place.
That’s all.
I’ve been doing a lot of recent wondering about the large amount of loud, social media noise that is crowding out more rationale thoughts and ideas. Part of my musing is how the education system should be responding to it in a way that builds a capacity in students to be able to discern truth from fiction — facts from opinions.
Let me go back a few years to my late teens and early 20s.
My undergraduate training in science provided me with an excellent set of tools to understand the world — to find reasons or explanations for a lot of things:
Science uses The Scientific Method which, at its heart, is about ‘careful observation coupled with rigorous skepticism‘. Science uses a systematic process of working to disprove a current understanding about something, until the overwhelming evidence points to the truth — to an accepted fact.
I also love that science remains open to being wrong — that it challenges our assumptions and beliefs to ensure that bias is not part of the explanation.
REALITY IS MORE THAN FACTS
Yet, as I’ve grown in my career and throughout life, I’ve also come to understand that the ‘black and white’ world of science is not the complete answer. Reality is a combination of both the facts in front of us, and our personal experiences — experiences that help to create the context surrounding the facts.
Context: The conditions or situations that give meaning to an event.
Context adds the colour to the ‘black and white’ world of facts. The reality that we each experience lies enveloped in our own personal history and context.
By taking the time to understand the ‘tapestry’ or colour of the situation you can start to forge a deeper understanding of what lies before you — helping you create a better solution to whatever problem or situation exists.
So, what do context and our own history have to do with public education? I’m glad you asked!
CRITICAL THINKING
If a goal of public education is to ‘have educated citizens who thrive in a changing world’, then preparing them to be critical consumers of their world is essential. Students need to be able to understand more than facts — they need to be able to examine the context in which they observe these facts and be aware that a person’s own history and perceptions may be affecting their understanding.
Critical Thinking is an absolute necessity for our students to be the citizens we need in a world filled with fake news, social media bias and opinions camouflaging as fact:
BC Education: Critical … thinking encompasses a set of abilities that students use to examine their own thinking and that of others. This involves making judgments based on reasoning, where students consider options, analyze options using specific criteria, and draw conclusions.
Sounds great. We want students to critically examine the information before them, ask relevant questions and move their understanding forward.
But, can we objectively measure Critical Thinking? Should we even try?
It’s not like you can easily put a number beside Critical Thinking to see if it improves over time. And, because something isn’t easily measured, it doesn’t mean it isn’t important — As examples, Character, Integrity and Honesty are three traits that I would argue are very important but aren’t easily measured.
Several cognitive experts set out to come to an agreed definition of Critical Thinking at a Learning and the Brain conference. And to save you the time of wondering … No agreement was reached. In fact, they disagreed on a number of issues surrounding the concept.
Curiosity Leads to Thinking Critically
But, here’s some of what they did agree on about Critical Thinking …
FINAL THOUGHTS
Here are my top 5 take aways to help students be well prepared in distinguishing reality from what is not reality:
That’s a pretty good list.
- Science gives us a foundation;
- Critical Thinking can lead to understanding context and its impact on the facts; and
- Students become better, more informed citizens.
Important concepts in a world of uncertainty, hyperbole and unsubstantiated opinions. And there’s no shortage of that these days.
If you had asked me even 2 years ago if the world’s political and social climate would have been this unpredictable, I’m confident my answer would not be the same as it is today. From our recent BC provincial election, to the recent change in the American presidency, and a possible significant change at the Canadian federal level as well, our political and social realities are undergoing massive upheavals.
There is a bubbling social undercurrent where voices of intolerance, accusation, and finger pointing are becoming more noticeable.
How do educational leaders continue their important, collaborative work of building an inclusive, welcoming and engaging environment during this time of uncertainty?
Authenticity … the substance of effective leadership.
Being authentic is a critical component of creating an environment where everyone feels important — where trust flourishes and people grow. Leaders need to focus on their authenticity more than ever at this critical time of change.
But what exactly makes authenticity so vital in leadership, and what must leaders do to achieve it?
Authentic leadership is rooted in self-awareness, transparency, and a strong ethical foundation. Leaders who are authentic stay true to their values and communicate openly with their teams. This transparency builds the trust which is critical for employees to feel that they are engaging with a real person rather than a façade or a simply another person with a title.
Higher levels of employee satisfaction, personal productivity and collaboration can be the result. When employees trust their leaders, they feel more secure in their roles and are more committed to their work — they feel valued and respected. High-trust companies report significantly lower stress levels, higher energy at work, and greater overall satisfaction (“Authentic Leadership: What it is and Why it’s important”, Harvard Business School, Dec 2019).
Transparency
One of the key ways authentic leadership fosters trust is through transparent communication — both from the leader themselves but also from the organization as a whole. Leaders who are open about their decisions, challenges and successes create a culture of honesty and integrity. This openness not only builds trust but also encourages employees to be more forthcoming with their own ideas and concerns. As a result, the organization becomes more collaborative and innovative.
Empathy
Leaders who genuinely care about their employees’ well-being and development are more likely to earn this critical trust and loyalty. Empathy involves understanding and addressing the needs and concerns of employees, which in turn fosters a supportive and inclusive work environment.
Self-awareness
To cultivate authenticity, leaders must first develop self-awareness — understanding their own strengths, weaknesses, values, and motivations. Self-aware leaders are better equipped to lead with integrity and make decisions that align with their core values, which in turn suggests they are more likely to be confident, purposeful, and value-driven.
Vulnerability
Another strategy for cultivating authenticity is to practice vulnerability. Leaders who are willing to admit their mistakes and learn from them demonstrate humility and openness. This vulnerability can help to build trust, as employees see their leaders as relatable and human.
Consistency
Leaders must consistently act in ways that reflect their values and principles. This helps to build credibility, as employees know what to expect from their leaders and can rely on them to act with integrity. Consistent behavior, especially during the difficult times, reinforces the trust that has been built through transparent communication and empathetic leadership.
Strong Relationships
Finally, authentic leaders focus on building strong relationships. This involves taking the time to understand each team member’s unique strengths, challenges, and aspirations. By fostering these relationships, leaders can create a sense of unity and shared purpose within the organization. This approach not only builds trust but also enhances team cohesion and performance.
This is The Way
We are in a time of tumultuous political and social change — a time when strong, effective leadership is even more critical.
The effective leader understands that now, more than ever, being authentic and trusted is the way to improvement. By being self-aware, transparent, empathetic, and consistent, we cultivate an environment where employees feel valued, respected, and motivated — key requirements for an engaged work force and a thriving educational environment.
The Power of Why 