Leadership and Change: Assignment Session One
The adaptive problem that must be confronted in my work environment centers around the inclusion of cultural sensitivity when dealing with the school's very diverse population. For this school the population is largely Hispanic and the teachers tend to be White. While the mission of the school includes consideration of cultural differences and educators are dedicated toward applying principles that enhance education for all, adapting these principles is problematic.
Although teachers have the best intentions, there are many student reports of discriminating attitudes or situations. Students will comment that a teacher does not like them due to their minority status. While in fact it may be said that teachers are not discriminating against these students, the adaptation of culturally sensitive attitudes has not eliminated problems. In fact teachers may be acting in an overly sensitive fashion, which ultimately segregates the minority group. Thus while values such as recognition and acceptance of all cultures may be the goal, values related to the adaptation of this goal may need to be changed. For example, how a teacher perceives cultural sensitivity may differ from how a minority student or parent views cultural sensitivity. These differing opinions may be the cause of adaptive problems.
The leadership dilemma related to the adaptive problem is that while school leaders have efforted to provide for a culturally sensitive environment, the stress of adaptive work is severe. As leaders attempt to please all involved they face ongoing difficulties and obstacles from each group that thwart efforts. As a result, while the leaders may view themselves as striving for and having qualities such as inspiring others, they in fact may be behaving in a controlling and authoritative fashion in an effort to deal with all parties involved and get things done.
The politics involved...