#Leaders who expect something in return for their hard work are missing the point. The work is the #reward. #QuoteADay #Day40 #edchat #edu
Intrinsic motivation is a prerequisite for leaders. If you lead expecting recognition, you're not in it for the right reasons. The act of leadership, while never easy, should be the only reward any leader worth his/her salt aims for.
Now, this doesn't mean that leaders should spurn recognition if the opportunity presents itself. As I've mentioned here previously, opportunities for self-promotion should be taken (as long as we remain humble); we just shouldn't go looking for accolades wherever we go.
We're in education to help cultivate the future leaders of society, so the work we do can be thankless and may have a very, very long incubation time. Still, one of our cornerstones is we believe in the importance of helping others reach their goals as we continue to strive toward reaching our own.
The joy on the face of others as they see success, the brainstorming that is a part of addressing any failure, and the veritable "light bulb" that turns on when learners make a discovery should serve as the only reward our professional lives need to sustain us and keep us leading forward.
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