“I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.”
1 Corinthians 1:10
“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”
Proverbs 27:17
Summer is a time at our schools for refreshment, reflection, and planning. As we process last year and look forward to the next, Episcopal schools have so much for which to be grateful and proud. Through my involvement on the NAES Governing Board, I have been fortunate to witness the transformative work that so many of our educators do across the country. The upcoming biennial conference in November will offer all of us an opportunity to witness more examples of these efforts. One element we will find is that our most effective institutions have strong governance structures and board chair–head of school relationships in common.
I often tell people that entering my seventh year of headship, I have won the board chair lottery four times over. While each of the people I have worked with has been very different in their management styles, professional backgrounds, and personalities, each has been an inspiring partner with whom to do this work. Reflecting on why that has been the case, leads me back to the mantra I have repeated frequently to myself over the years: “Know and Trust.” Developing an honest, transparent, and vulnerable relationship with my board chairs and by extension the entire board has so far served me well. Author Stephen Covey said, “Change moves at the speed of trust.” If we imagine our task of leadership as evolving each of our institutions, then perhaps we can exchange “change” for “growth” in this quote to best describe how we can be most effective.
This task of creating trust though can be scary. For instance, delivering bad news honestly or expressing frustration with a board member’s misbehavior, creates vulnerability—both for the head and for the board chair. But it is in this fear that we create space for wonder. The two scripture passages offered at the beginning of this post can center us in that imagining.
On opposite ends of the continuum of trust sit these readings from Corinthians and Proverbs. On the one hand, our most cohesive institutions are led by boards who are united in their belief in their school’s mission and Episcopal Identity. Paul’s exhortation to be “united in mind and thought” is crucial as we wonder about strengthening our governance relationships. Equally vital, though, is the concept from Proverbs that we are fortified sometimes through conflict, challenge, and disagreement. It is the surface dissonance in these two passages where friction is created that allows for our movement forward and for growth.
The sweet spot of trust and growth exists where, as our Episcopal Identities call us to do, we search out and include those who bring different perspectives. We seek to address people and issues that challenge us. And at the same time, we develop and share that baseline of Episcopal virtue that demands honesty, goodwill, mercy, and compassion. I pray for all of us this year that we find the courage to create these deep and trusting relationships that allow us to challenge each other and our schools to flourish.
Many thanks to all of you who lead in Episcopal schools. Students and families are starved right now for the very messages you are teaching them. I extend my prayers to all of you for a healthy, productive, and spirit-filled school year.
David L. Baad is the Ann and Lee Hobson Family Head of School at The Episcopal School of Dallas.