The love of learning has been driven from many people by our institutions, beginning with our schools. Many people don't believe in themselves as learners. The leader as teacher reignites the intense, natural desire to learn and aligns it with the direction of the enterprise. The great teachers are great learners. Great leaders are great learners and teachers.
New leaders facilitate the many inner transitions that are concomitant with so much external change.
They understand that constant change leads to inner emotional losses, anger, grief, resistance, confusion, fear, and ambivalence. The leader understands this process and helps others manage their loss of identity, and the loss of the familiar. The leader knows these losses are expressed differently by diverse people. The losses must be accepted and acknowledged if identity is to change. The leader realizes that a time of confusion and wandering is normal during transitions, and that creativity is possible if the emotions of transition are worked through in ways appropriate for each group and person.