By Linda Dawson, Ed.D.

Many questions arise as we transition from the Industrial Age to the Knowledge Age. What does it mean to be a leader in the knowledge worker age?  What new skills must leaders acquire to work effectively with the future workforce, and what existing leadership skills will need to be adapted to the new set of rules? How can leaders attract, support, and retain quality workers? How can educational leaders make a meaningful contribution to the future of society?

The Industrial Age defined workers as interchangeable parts – replaceable at will; mechanisms in a giant machine and part of an endless supply.

Times have changed. The Knowledge Age values people as precious assets to be nurtured and developed.  Investing in people is the key to economic success in the 21st century.  Skilled workers are essential, and their ability to communicate, collaborate, work independently, and think globally is critical to the success of any organization.  Growing and retaining loyal workers is the new mantra of our age.

Attracting and retaining quality staff continues to be one of our organization’s most significant overarching themes. At SIATech, we are committed to focused professional development that is second to none. This professional development comes in many forms: organization-wide trainings to set and reflect upon personal, departmental, and school-wide goals; instructional-specific trainings for teachers; and the sponsorship of major conferences for our staff to network and share best practices with the wider educational community. The 2nd Annual Leadership Institute promises to address all the above questions and more as we as educational leaders harness the power and potential of the Knowledge Age.   

FranklinCovey has described the four imperatives of great knowledge-age leaders as Inspiring Trust, Clarifying Focus, Aligning Systems, and Unleashing Talent. 

Inspire Trust

Have passion for the Vision. Passion is contagious and totally intoxicating. SIATech leaders demonstrate genuine care and concern for others in their words and deeds.
SIATech staff model “Leaders as Learners” and intentionally work to improve both personally and professionally. Both formal and informal opportunities to grow skills are plentiful.  Integrity and service are highly valued at SIATech.

Clarify Focus

Focus on the “Wildly Important” not just the important, but the things that if they were not done, nothing else would matter. Take first things first and don’t sweat the small stuff.  Do the right things for the right reasons – nothing else matters! SIATech teachers and staff are passionate about contributing to student success and celebrate the transformed learner as they matriculate through the program. 

Align Systems

When systems are aligned, expectations are clear.  Workers know what to do and how their success impacts the organization. Great leaders are stewards of their organizations. They assure that everyone who should be is on the bus, everyone on the bus is in the right seat, and those who can’t or won’t get on the bus get off the bus.

Great leaders ensure that structure, processes, and procedures are in place to support the mission and vision of the organization. SIATech’s organizational map is regularly updated to meet changing needs and allows for all stakeholders to have a voice in the development maturation of the organization.

Unleash Talent

Unleashing talent is not micromanagement or abandonment.   Great leaders embrace the “Service above Self” concept. They respect others, set clear expectations, hold themselves and others accountable for results, and follow through with support along the road. SIATech staff members work collaboratively to ensure, recognize and celebrate the contributions of others in the organization. The whole is so much more than the sum of its parts!

Leadership, like any relationship, requires commitment as well as ongoing nurturing and skill development.  Our ability as SIATech leaders to adapt to a changing workplace, global economy, and shifting demographics will determine our effectiveness now and in the future.

How will you lead in the Knowledge-worker age? Good leadership begins with trust, respect, integrity, and an attitude of service above self; always with an eye on what is “wildly” important.  SIATech leaders who view workers as valued assets to be grown, cultivated, and nurtured will determine the difference between being good and being one of the GREAT education organizations of the 21st century.  What will your contribution be?

Linda Dawson, Ed.D., has served as the Superintendent/CEO of SIATech since 2004.