I suppose leadership at one time meant muscles; but today it means getting along with people. -Mahatma Gandhi

Throughout the years I have had the opportunity to lead a variety of groups ranging from students to peers. Figuring out exactly how to communicate to your peers as an administrator can be a delicate task. Thankfully my experiences have taught me how to be an effective, responsible, and respected leader. I am passing on my wisdom to you in hopes that it will help you feel more confident in managing your peers.

Here are a few pointers…

Gain their respect

This is the most important and also the most difficult task to accomplish. If they don’t respect you then, chances are, when you ask them to do something, they will resent you. The best way to go about gaining one’s respect is simply by giving them the time of day. Be there for them, answer their questions, and be present. Respect them and they will respect you.

Talk to everyone

Really get to know people. Find out what makes them tick, what their interests are, and their favorite type of cheese. Anything and everything. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Relationships are built on communication. You need to build a strong relationship with your peers in order to gain their respect and to learn how they communicate. Every person communicates differently. Some people want you to be straightforward and blunt while others prefer a more humorous approach. If you don’t take the time to get to know your peers then you aren’t going to know how to communicate with them when it matters most.

Be honest

If you don’t know the answer to a question, then admit it. If you think something should be done differently, then say so. No matter what the movies or television try to tell us, people aren’t capable of reading your mind. Address a situation in the beginning and forget about having to deal with all the unnecessary mind games.

Acknowledge them

Make them feel that what they do is important, because it is. As an administrator we sometimes get too wound up in our own tasks, and we forget to take the time to thank those that we work with. Remember that you were once in that position too. Commend them when they make an improvement in their project area, reward them when they go above and beyond, or just give them a compliment. Make them feel appreciated.

Have fun and make them laugh

By creating a positive, exciting, and entertaining atmosphere staff will enjoy their job and look forward to coming to work. As administrators, we set the tone. It’s important to recognize the delicate balance between work and play, but don’t forget about your silly side. Stop and have a dance party in the dining hall, speak in a ridiculous accent, or wear an outrageous outfit to work. Do whatever feels best and embrace your inner child!

Understanding how to manage your peers does not happen quickly. Just remember that it is not a matter of force and power, but a question of amicability and transparency.

At High Trails Outdoor Science School, we literally force our instructors to write about elementary outdoor education, teaching outside, learning outside, our dirty classroom (the forest…gosh), environmental science, outdoor science, and all other tree hugging student and kid loving things that keep us engaged, passionate, driven, loving our job, digging our life, and spreading the word to anyone whose attention we can hold for long enough to actually make it through reading this entire sentence. Whew…. www.dirtyclassroom.com