On Subtraction

In a May 2021 panel discussion on reimagining the K-12 educational experience, I proffered that we should consider a new type of leadership, what I termed 'subtractive leadership' at the time. In education, we are absolutely brilliant (and I mean brilliant) at addition. By contrast, we're awful at subtraction. I'm not talking about acumen in mathematics; rather, I'm talking about our propensity to add more and more to the plates of teachers, counselors, coaches, administrators...everyone.