A Reflection on Learning and Leadership: With Help From Dr. Suess Michelle Chase Oakland University: EA 743 Professional Seminar June 18, 2015
In my mind s eye I have created an image of a modern day leader as an Atlas type figure, holding up his or her team, supporting each person to achieve beyond what he or she is able to imagine for him- or her- self, resulting in greater success for each individual and the organization. The concept of using leadership as an avenue to support and strengthen others is one of my takeaways from the Educational Leadership Program. And while the image of Atlas holding up the heavens is illustrative of the support a leader should give to those around him or her, I am disturbed by the fact that Atlas himself is being crushed under the weight. There is no question in my mind that serving in the role of organizational leader brings with it a hefty weight of responsibility. However, for a person who is passionate about the work and the people, it should also be inspiring, empowering and motivating. I have searched through the recesses of my mind to find a more apt image of a person bearing tremendous weight while feeling empowered, and I know it s there, somewhere. Perhaps in a childhood cartoon, and then I see him, standing on the top of Mount Crumpit. The Grinch. As I think about this image, and the classic tale of How the Grinch Stole Christmas, I realize that the story portrays a number of leadership characteristics that I have learned about, observed, and value. My mind flits to other well-loved stories by Dr. Suess and I am surprised by the prevalence of characters within the stories who, lead from where they stand. Considering the association between leadership traits and Dr. Suess characters, I can t resist linking my learning to these well-loved stories, characters and cartoons from my childhood. The Grinch In the story How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, the Grinch has isolated himself away from other people. He looks down on Who-ville and hates everything the Whos do to celebrate the Christmas holiday. He devises a plan to dress-up like a fake Santa Claus, sneak into town and 1
steal their Christmas. As he heads to the top of Mount Crumpet to dump the things he s taken, he pauses to listen to the Whos crying about losing Christmas. To his surprise, the Whos are singing in celebration and he puzzles through this behavior to learn more about others and himself. Thinking about the story I envision the moment of the Grinch s transformation. He stands in, the bright morning light hoisting the sleigh with the Whos ill gotten gains over his head, a smile on his face and a star burst of energy emanating from him. I can hear the trumpets blaring and Boris Karloff is telling me the Grinch's small heart grew three sizes that day. And then the Grinch found the strength of ten Grinches, plus two! (Movie Short, 1966). While the Grinch in the story in not a leader, he does become empowered by taking the time to listen, reflect, discover new ideas and find a greater purpose. As the Grinch s heart grows, he is able to carry a tremendous load with a joyful spirit. He embraces his newfound learning and commits to a mission of giving back to others. Putting others first, listening to them, reflecting on what is heard and seen and working for a greater purpose are all leadership traits I have learned about and strive to implement. In the end of the Grinch s story, these soft skills helped him become accepted by others. He has learned from mistakes, learned to value the people around him and they, in turn, value and welcome him into their world. The reciprocal nature of leading with heart helps a leader create a positive climate in the workplace where everyone feels valued. Horton Hears a Who Another Dr. Suess story exemplifying the leadership traits I have learned is, Horton Hears a Who!. In the story an elephant, Horton, is able to hear the people living on a dust speck, and he makes it his mission to protect them and their world. Throughout the story animals 2
persecute Horton for protecting the piece of dust and, in their vehemence, they try to take it away and destroy it. While Horton is working to protect the speck he befriends the Mayor of the dust town, Who-ville. Protecting the Whos becomes difficult for Horton to manage alone, he advised the Mayor to have every Who yell, so their voices will be heard by the animals that don t believe in their existence. In spite of that fact that all of the people in Who-ville are shouting, the sound is not coming through. The Mayor runs through the town and discovers a small boy shirking his civic duty. The Mayor helps this boy to find his voice and yell out his existence. With everyone working together, the shouts burst through the barrier, and the town is saved. Horton the elephant faces challenges as he strives to save the Whos. Throughout the story he repeats the mantra a persons a person, no matter how small (Suess, 1954). His actions and words consistently show his commitment to protecting the little people. In spite of his best efforts, the elephant realizes that he can t save the people alone. He works with the Mayor to enlist everyone in Who-ville to help save the dust speck, and at the same time, helps the Whos to find their voice. This charming children s story illuminates big leadership ideas. Leaders must stay true to their values and be willing to live their core beliefs. They willingly embrace challenges. They understand that they need everyone in the organization to work together to achieve success. Effective leaders presume best intentions of those around them and trust them to fulfill their commitments. They are predictable, trustworthy and help others find their voice. All of these behaviors model for students, staff and community the core beliefs of the leader. The Lorax The final Dr. Suess book I am going to highlight to demonstrate my leadership learning is the story, The Lorax. This story about industry, greed, pollution, activism and the environment. 3
It juxtaposes two leaders, the Once-ler, a megalomaniac, and the Lorax, a community activist. In the story the Once-ler arrives in the glorious place and sees the beautiful Truffula Trees adorned with brightly colored tufts on the top. The Once-ler decides to use the tufts of the Truffula Trees to make an garment called a thneed. As the first tree is chopped down the Lorax appears and demands that the Once-ler explain his actions. Throughout the story the Once-ler grows his business disregarding the impact of his actions on the environment. The Lorax continually comes back and tries to explain to the industrialist that he is destroying not just the trees, but also all of the animals and habitats of the forest. Eventually the last tree is cut down. The pollution from the factories makes the glorious place unlivable. All of the people, except the Once-ler, leave and the Lorax lifts himself out of the place leaving behind the word, unless. The main part of the Lorax story is framed with the tale of a child going to see the Onceler, who lives at the top of a dilapidated tower in the formally glorious place, to hear how the Lorax was lifted away. The Once-ler shares the story with the child and confesses to spending years trying to understand the word left behind by the Lorax. As he speaks with the child he has an epiphany saying, Now that you re here, the word of the Lorax seems perfectly clear. UNLESS someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It s not (Seuss, 1971) The Once-ler then gives the very last Truffula seed to the child and charges him with the mission of rebuilding the Truffula forest. The story of, The Lorax repeats some of the leadership lessons present in the previously mentioned stories. The interesting thing in this book is that the leaders had different purposes and values. They were both passionate, however, the Once-ler was focused on self-gain and the Lorax was driven by a cause bigger than himself. Another difference is the willingness of each leader to focus on the future. It isn t until the vary last moment of the story that the Once-ler 4
realizes the importance of being future oriented and, to his credit, he passes this learning onto the child. Throughout the story the Lorax is thinking about how the actions of today might impact tomorrow. The biggest lesson in the book, for me, is the message at the end. One person, who cares a lot, can make a difference. Just by planting a seed, the child can create a new future and bring new hope. A leader must believe he, or she, can make a difference. Sometimes making a difference begins simply. Sharing a word of hope, unless or planting a seed. Being future oriented and cause driven are also messages in this story. The Once-ler did not have these traits, and he ended up living a life alone, locked-up in a tower. An interesting feature in this story is that the Lorax, in spite of passionately advocating for a cause, was not able to see the impact of his pleadings. Sometimes, as leaders, the fruits of our labors may not grow in a way that is obvious or visible. This story reinforces that we must still actively strive to do what is right; because the impact of our message and actions may begin growing in a place or time we never imagined. Effective leaders are multifaceted, working to continually learn and grow. As I think about everything I ve learned, observed and practiced in the areas of leadership and the way leadership traits are presented in these stories, I ve developed the idea that there are two leadership attributes that foster the prevalence of the other important traits. First, a leader must believe that he or she can make a difference in achieving a virtuous mission. Second, a leader must hold up, strengthen and rally around their people, helping them to feel that their actions and voice are as critical to the achievement of the mission as that of the leaders. While these two ideas do not directly address other essential traits like trust and credibility, I believe that a person who is driven by a greater purpose, with a desire to support their people in finding success will automatically infuse these traits into their practice to ensure that a purposeful seed will grow. 5
References Geisel, T. & Jones, C. (Producers), Jones, C. & Washam, B. (Directors). (1966). How the Grinch Stole Christmas! [Movie Short]. United States: Cat in the Hat Presentation & MGM Television. Seuss, Dr. (1954). Horton Hears a Who!. New York: Random House Seuss, Dr. (1957). How the Grinch Stole Christmas!. New York: Random House Seuss, Dr. (1971). The Lorax. New York: Random House 6