Name: Justin Goodwin

Date: October 15, 2013

Entry: B
Title: Accepting the Burdens of Leadership
Program Outcomes: Organizational and Political Leadership
Learning Goals: To acknowledge that leadership is often a difficult task
Artifact: Heavy Lies the Crown
And, in the calmest and most stillest night,/With all appliances and means to
boot,/Deny it to a king? Then, happy low, lie down./Uneasy lies the head that
wears a crown (Shakespeare). In his soliloquy, King Henry IV clearly
understands the stresses that come with the terrain of leadership. Undoubtedly
many a leader has lost precious sleep contemplating the weight of their
decisions. Not much has changed since Shakespearean time regarding this topic;
however, it is a necessary sacrifice for those willing to face the fire and point us
all in the right direction.
While considering the harsh realities of leadership, several examples came to
mind, which in turn spawned the idea for this second artifact. The piece is made
up of several images of leaders/heroes in deep contemplation of their
cumbersome responsibilities all of which are accompanied by a profound quote
pertaining to the pains of their charge. Nonetheless, these individuals, real or
fictional, all embraced the demands of the roles they chose because it served the
greater good. Servant leadership is never going to be an easy task, but it is what
effective leaders do, no matter what the cost.
Since taking on new and unfamiliar leadership roles in my own life, these
hardships have become all too apparent. I often feel my time is stretched
incredibly thin, it seems that unforeseen problems continually arise despite any
preparations to avoid them, and much like Henry IV, I lie awake many nights
either critiquing decisions already made or scrutinizing those yet to be put into
action. Conversely, I feel an immense sense of accomplishment when positive
change comes to fruition, and I have helped to make lives better. It is much like
the feeling we get as educators when it is realized that one student out of many
was truly reached. All of the grueling, tiresome days melt away in the face of that
one success, and every hardship ultimately seems worth it. As my grandfather
always said, Nothing worth doing is ever easy, but it is always worth doing
well.
Without a doubt, the focus of this artifact could be connected to any of the EDL
outcomes, but those making the clearest correlation to me were Strategic and
Organizational Leadership. Facilitating the development, articulation,
implementation, and stewardship of a vision of learning is obviously a daunting
task, one that requires much time and attention. The same is true for ensuring

management of organization, operations, and resources for a safe, efficient, and

effective learning environment. Consequently, not many wish to take on these
difficult, demanding, and often under-appreciated assignments, but without some
one rising to the occasion, all is lostour students do not succeed, our schools
do not succeed, our society does not succeed. Although the crown of leadership
is often heavy, we as servant leaders must champion that with great power
comes great responsibility (Voltaire).