Lessons in Administrative Management Drawn from Family Gatherings at My Grandmother's Home in Italy
Article: The Power of Hospitality in Leadership: A Grandma's Wisdom and a Principal's Tradition
In the heart of leadership, a simple yet profound concept has been making waves - inviting people into your home, feeding them, and fostering meaningful conversations. This idea, rooted in the wisdom of the speaker's Italian grandmother, Nonna, has found a significant place in the world of education, thanks to a forward-thinking principal named Hans.
Nonna, in her own words, believed that such an act was the kindest thing one could do. She saw it as a way to improve social interactions and make people better. This philosophy, while seemingly ordinary, has had a profound impact on the staff at the school where Hans serves as principal.
Initially, the staff were puzzled by the invitation to Hans' home. But as the day unfolded, they began to appreciate the gesture. One teacher, moved by the care put into the day, expressed genuine emotion. For the staff, participating together in this shared experience reinforced by rituals of food, conversation, and hospitality, shaped their identities as educators.
Hans, in the eyes of his staff, was no longer just their principal. He was a family man, a fact that was evident in the comfortable environment his home created. Being in Hans' home encouraged natural conversations and deep focus, fostering an atmosphere of collaboration and growth.
The speaker, in his first year as an elementary principal, applied Nonna's lesson to leadership. He hosted his own "advance," inviting his entire staff into his home. This event became a defining moment of community for the staff, reinforcing the idea that learning is inherently social and occurs through participation in communities of practice.
Jean Lave and Etienne Wenger, in their 1991 book "Situated Learning: Legitimate Peripheral Participation," support this wisdom. They argue that learning is social and identity is formed through participation. In their terms, communities of practice are where growth happens.
Hans' "advance" can be seen as a community of practice in action. Staff learned not only tasks but also the culture of collaboration. The speaker noted that the event facilitated focus and flow of ideas among staff, underscoring the power of hospitality in fostering a conducive environment for learning and growth.
Interestingly, Hans' father had also hosted his own "advance," continuing the family tradition. This tradition, while unique, resonates with Lave and Wenger's research, emphasizing the importance of social learning and the formation of identity through participation.
In a world where leadership often feels distant and impersonal, the "advance" offers a refreshing alternative. It reminds us that leadership is about people, about creating an environment where conversations around the table make people better. And in the words of Nonna, that's the kindest thing one can do.
