The Shift from Command-and-Control to Empowerment and Trust
Shift #2 Fostering Leadership Through Collaboration and Autonomy
When I arrived at Santa Ana Unified in January 2020, I was eager to engage with a new community, collaborate with staff, and connect with stakeholders to understand the district’s needs. Little did I know that three months later, the world would be turned upside down by a global pandemic. Schools shut down, and what we thought would be a few weeks of disruption turned into nearly two years of navigating uncharted territory.
A Time of Reflection and Uncertainty
Like many leaders, I faced challenges I had never experienced before. As a district, we were proud of our accomplishments—providing 1:1 student devices and promoting forward-thinking initiatives like our performing arts programs, career technical pathways, wellness centers, and family and community engagement programs. However, when COVID hit, these very innovations became hurdles. We had to retrain staff to teach remotely, support students learning from home, and guide site administrators—all while helping district leaders manage the complexity of this transition.
In this time of uncertainty, I began reflecting on a fundamental question: “How do we come out of this crisis better than we went in?” I didn’t have the answer, but I knew that we needed to shift our thinking.
Listening to the Community
With the support of a leading educational organization, I convened a group of 80 community leaders. Over seven months, we engaged in research and conversations, examining high-performing educational institutions around the world. This work led to the creation of our “Graduate Profile”—a vision for the qualities we wanted our students to embody.
Once the Graduate Profile was completed, we began the rollout with our leadership team members, excited to bring our vision to life. We held meetings, shared our goals, and engaged in discussions about implementation. I was proud of what we had created, but during one of these meetings, a principal’s comment stopped me in my tracks: “We’re being asked to create systems for kids, but look around—there are no kids in the room.” That moment struck me deeply. It made me realize that, despite our best intentions, we were missing a crucial voice—the very students we were trying to serve.
The Power of Student Voice
That realization shifted everything for me. How could we create something for students without including them in the conversation? Initially, I was reluctant to pause the rollout, but at the urging of my executive cabinet and site administrators, I agreed. We decided to embark on an extensive student listening campaign. Over six months, we interviewed 600 students from kindergarten through high school, gathering over 60 hours of audio.
What we heard was eye-opening. A kindergartener said, *“I don’t learn well sitting down for six hours,” expressing frustration with long periods of inactivity. A middle school student shared, *“I just wish the adults would pronounce my name correctly.” A high school sophomore admitted, “I don’t even bother going to my algebra class because the teacher gives me a hard time as soon as I walk in because of the way I look.”
Perhaps most impactful was one student's remark: “You can have the best lesson plan in the world, but if I know the teacher doesn’t care about me, I couldn’t care less about the lesson.” This sentiment resonated deeply with all of us and underscored a crucial truth—genuine connection and care are essential for meaningful learning.
These voices revealed that we were missing the mark. Our students needed something different, and their insights became the foundation for our next steps, which included holding listening sessions with teachers, parents, and community members. We wanted to ensure that everyone had a chance to contribute to the development of our initiatives. These listening sessions provided a platform for teachers to share their classroom ex
periences and insights, while parents and community members offered their perspectives on how we could better serve students and families. The feedback we received was instrumental in refining our Graduate Profile and aligning our strategies with the real needs of our district.
Shifting from Command to Empowerment
This experience led to one of the most significant shifts in my leadership journey—from a command-and-control approach to one rooted in collaboration and trust. During COVID, we had to take charge and manage every detail, but moving forward, it became clear that real progress required trusting our broader community. Leadership, I realized, isn’t about titles or hierarchy; it’s about recognizing leadership potential at all levels and empowering people to contribute.
Contrasting the command-and-control environment I was accustomed to, where decisions came from the top, the shift to empowerment brought greater creativity, autonomy, and innovation. Instead of limiting staff to follow directives, we created a space where everyone—students, staff, parents, and community members—could voice their ideas and collaborate.
By creating environments where students, staff, parents, and community members felt valued and heard, we fostered true collaboration. This collaborative spirit also became essential as we rolled out our *Framework for the Future*. Our Framework was designed to reimagine teaching, learning, and leading in our district, emphasizing equity, creativity, and adaptability. We engaged teachers, students, administrators, parents, and community members throughout the process, ensuring their voices guided our priorities and actions. This mindset of trust and collaboration also allowed us to embrace AI and innovation, integrating new technologies in ways that supported both educators and students. Instead of mandating its use, we identified early adopters—those curious about the technology—and supported their experimentation. This approach, built on curiosity and trust, is now shaping the future of Santa Ana Unified.
A Call to Reflect
Looking back, that moment in the room without students was a turning point for me. It taught me that true leadership is not about controlling every aspect but about creating spaces where others can share their perspectives and collaborate. Trusting this process of collaboration was key to unlocking new possibilities for our district.
As we move forward, especially with emerging technologies like AI, I believe the most successful leaders will be those who embrace curiosity, foster trust, and create environments where everyone feels empowered to contribute.
Conclusion: The Leadership Shift We All Need
As leaders, we must ask ourselves: Are we still trying to control every decision, or are we creating spaces for collaboration? Are we willing to pause and listen, even when it’s uncomfortable? This journey has shown me that embracing a culture of trust and collaboration isn’t just a strategic shift—it’s a fundamental change in mindset. And I believe this shift is essential for leading in today’s ever-evolving world