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Colleagues,
I need a little side table for my office. Nobody will see it and I probably won’t need it a year from now. I have three options:
The best choice depends on my context. Some of the variables: resources (time and money, wood), knowledge, skill. And add personal preference. I’m trying to move away from buying things at big box stores, so that makes option 1 less appealing. I love the idea of building a nice table. I have the materials and a basic wood shop. Unfortunately, I have neither the skill nor the time to build a nice table. I do have lots of scrap wood, and enough tools, skill, and time that option 3 is the best fit for me in this moment. Would you choose something different? Why? The lesson: don’t assume it’s the best solution just because it seems like the best solution to you. Cheers! Frederick
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Colleagues,
Yesterday I wrote about a green balloon we came across on our 2023 long-distance hike in England. Remarkably, we actually knew exactly how that balloon came to be sitting on a trail in the middle of the countryside. Long before we encountered the balloon, a passenger train passed us by. One of the cars was full of people celebrating. And they had lots of balloons. Mystery solved. Are there any green balloons in your organization? Is there anything that is very important to you or your people, but would be insignificant to an outsider? If you have come across green balloons or have some of your own, I’d love to hear your examples. Cheers! Frederick Colleagues, Longtime readers may remember this story… In 2023 Pam and I hiked the 270-mile Pennine Way in England (and Scotland). One day we were hiking the trail alongside a railroad track when we happened upon a fully green balloon sitting in the middle of the path. We were in the middle of nowhere. How could it have gotten here? Why was it here? Was it important? When leaders transition into new settings, they frequently come across green balloons – trivial things that seem to have no use. Before popping the balloon, learn how and why it got there. One person’s green balloon may be another person’s holy grail. Tomorrow I’ll share the answer to how our green balloon wound up on our walking trail. Tune into yesterday’s episode here. I’m happy to acknowledge Kaleidoscope Adventures as a sponsor of yesterday’s episode of The Assistant Principal Podcast! I appreciate their support and encourage you to connect with them if you are thinking about planning a school trip!  Cheers!
Frederick Colleagues, “I would love it if you would consider doing a podcast episode on what happens when a principal gets off track and needs to get the trains back on track...” I address this topic today on The Assistant Principal Podcast. There are four common mistakes leaders make:
Do any of these resonate with you? If you’ve made one of these mistakes, feel free to share your story with me by replying to this email. Thanks again to IXL for sponsoring today’s episode!  Cheers!
Frederick Colleagues,
Mara here! It’s been awhile since I’ve chimed in. It’s been a snowy winter weekend across the Carolinas. It got me thinking - some of my favorite childhood memories are from being snowed in with my family, sledding on the neighborhood hill, and drinking hot chocolate next to the fire as we tried to warm up. The beauty of these wintery weekends is the people. I encountered so many people at the stores as we prepped for the storm. In my experience, most of us were smiling at each other and bidding farewell with a “Stay warm!” My husband and I walked (and skied!!!) around our neighborhood and chatted with neighbors we’ve never met that were sledding with their kids. I can imagine that Frederick and the rest of my family in the mountains have been playing games all day and having “Lord of the Rings" marathons. So many moments and memories are about the people and the amazing opportunity of time together that a snow storm may bring. I hope you could feel and enjoy some of that this weekend. Remember what Frederick always says: People are the purpose. Sending Sunshine, Mara |
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