Mike Small

How would you describe your leadership
As a teacher or coach, I try to set clear goals and expectations for those under my guidance and try to execute them in a fair and equitable manner.  Students respect leaders that empower them in knowing everyone has the same opportunity to succeed. Favoritism creates a very negative environment and leads to poor performance, whereas equality breeds achievement.

Describe the most important quality, value, or characteristic trait that you feel is most essential to be an effective leader.
Besides creating an unwavering atmosphere of equality, an effective leader must gain the trust and respect of those who he/she provides guidance. By letting students know they are sincerely cared for, they have the opportunity to believe in themselves.  Being firm, and at the same time eagerly providing help and assistance, without enabling students, creates the kind of values young people need to become independent and successful adults.

What is the hardest part of being a leader?
The most challenging aspect of leadership is the ability to motivate students to be consistent in their pursuit of excellence within their personal relationships and educational experiences.

What is the best part of being a leader?
Satisfaction for a concerned leader comes from the student who gets that 4 or 5 on an A.P. exam, works hard to achieve an A or B for a final grade, makes it downstate for participation in the Chicago Metro History Fair, wins a basketball regional, or gains recognition as an individual or as part of a significant  group.  Most satisfying of all is seeing a young person knowingly with strong commitment give 100% of themselves to what they want to accomplish, to want it and give full effort towards achievement, as that is a lifetime of reward.

What person, famous or not, has had an impact on you as a leader? Tell us about it.I regard Abraham Lincoln as our country’s most accomplished and important leader, but I personally campaigned for and admired Bobby Kennedy. In his pursuit for the Presidency, he continued pushing to find a way to end the war in Vietnam and rectify racial justice despite his many setbacks.  My wife Tina and I had a very close personal relationship with Mamie Till-Mobley, and to witness her undying efforts to keep Emmett’s story alive as the “Spark” of the Modern Civil Rights Movement was truly inspiring.  All of these historical leaders had in common the ability to be very pragmatic in their approach to crisis situations, which gave them the foundation for success.

What advice would you give Regina’s graduation seniors?
Regina Dominican students face many overwhelming issues in their future; the environment, terrorism, injustice, and economic problems.  I encourage them to relentlessly obtain the knowledge necessary to address these issues, and urge them to VOICE their opinions at every opportunity. Also, they must not be afraid to challenge authority to discover solutions to these very difficult and serious issues.  It will be these young people that lead us in our future.