Keep Standards High
Ready — When Jaime Escalante began teaching math at Garfield High School in East Los Angeles, many believed the students could not succeed academically. The school struggled with gang violence, poverty, low test scores, and low expectations. Most teachers focused on classroom survival. Escalante believed the students were capable of far more.
Set — Escalante challenged students to take Advanced Placement calculus, a course many thought impossible for them to pass. Students worked long hours before school, after school, and on weekends. Critics doubted the results, even accusing students of cheating after unusually high AP scores. Escalante refused to lower expectations. He persevered through skepticism, exhaustion, and resistance because he believed potential grows when leaders refuse to give up on people.
Here’s what made Escalante successful. He . . .
Saw Potential Others Missed: Great leaders look beyond current performance to potential possibilities.
Refused to Lower Standards: Escalante’s compassion and accountability worked together to create a major achievement others deemed impossible.
Invested Deeply in People: Escalante gave extra time, energy, and attention to student growth.
Persevered Through Criticism: He challenged deep assumptions, faced opposition, and took one step at a time.
Built a Culture of Belief: People often rise or fall to the expectations other place on them. His students rose to his challenge surprising everyone but themselves.
Grow! — Encouragement without challenge produces little growth. Don’t underestimate the people you lead. People thrive when leaders believe in them enough to expect more. Great leaders do not simply manage people; they call people upward.
Two Questions
Are you challenging people to grow or keeping them comfortable?
Might you be underestimating someone’s potential?