Finding our voice doesn't mean drowning others out but, instead, supporting them in finding theirs, to enter into a synergetic relationship with greater reach than either separately. Every day is a PD day. #myPDtoday

Todd Henry in his book Louder Than Words - Harness the Power of Your Authentic Voice explores why it is important for each of us to find our own Voice and share that voice with others. Henry explains this involved finding one’s 'through-line’:
"Your through-line is an important marker of identity. It’s a grounding element that helps you refine your visions, and it provides a sense of purpose and drive for your work. A compelling, authentic voice is rooted in a strong sense of identity" p. 65
Finding one’s voice doesn’t mean that we try to drown other voices out or take their voice away. In fact, according to Stephen R. Covey, finding our voice and helping others find theirs is the foundation of the 8th Habit which is at the nexus of our talent, need, passion and conscience (p. 5). Such support for each other creates a synergy that is essential for developing as individuals who are aware of the interrelatedness of all people. Being able to seek solutions to issues and problems that support continual growth requires seeking solutions that allow all involved to grow and develop. According to Covey, this creates the opportunity for win-win.
Finding our Through-Line
As leaders and educators, it’s important to develop our voice as individuals even as we work to help others find theirs. Each one of us is drawn to work with others, whether it be the students in the classroom or supporting the teachers and others who work in the classroom. However, often we find, within such systems, individual voices are sometimes seen as disruptive especially when the main goal is academic achievement in the form of grades. At this time, anything or anyone which seems to detract from achieving the goal is a distraction. Individual "through-lines" often go unsupported in the daily lives of teachers. For teachers, this lack of support has a negative on their self-efficacy which makes them more resistant to changes and new ideas.
It is important to support teachers as creatives to find their voice as individuals. Leaders need to support teachers' sense of self-efficacy as it has a significant effect on teachers willingness to try new ideas, persist in implementing new ideas and programs, giving support to students using differentiation and adopting new methods of feedback and assessment. By helping teachers to find their 'through-line’ and developing their own authentic voices as teachers, leaders can develop a culture of growth and development that supports everyone, students and teachers alike. Teachers, like students, are not the same. As teachers support students in finding their own authentic voice, leaders need to develop strategies to support and help teachers find their unique voices as creative individuals. Such support is critical in creating schools where the collective voices of all can work in synergy to develop and create in new and authentic ways.