Colleagues,

MVP: Put people before purpose
 
What I am anticipating most about our Pennine Way hike is the views. There are some amazing vistas.
 
That said, I think the most rewarding part of the hike will be the people we meet along the way. 
 
I have wanted to do this hike for 35 years (!) but in the end, it is the people that will make this hike special and memorable, not the views. 
 
Maybe in a way, our Grand Adventure is just an excuse for meeting a bunch of people who are very different (maybe) from us.
 
One of the biggest surprises of my podcasting journey has been just this. I have met such incredible people who care so deeply about others. One of those people is Will Parker, the host of the Principal Matters podcast, which might be the top principal podcast in the world.
 
I was privileged to talk with Will a few weeks ago and you can also enjoy his company by listening to yesterday’s episode of The Assistant Principal Podcast.
 
 
Today’s intention: As you go about your day, be mindful of how connected you are with the people around you. Pay special attention and think about who you would like to know better.

Cheers!

​Frederick

Colleagues,

MVP: Anticipating every need is really difficult.
 
On our Pennine Way trip we will need to carry everything we need on our backs, except for food. We are trying to be militant at keeping our packs light, so we face tough decisions about what to bring and what to leave behind.
 
No matter how much we read, practice, or reflect, there is one thing for certain:
 
We will have too much, too little, or both. 
 
By that I mean that there will be something we find we didn’t need, something we did need but left behind, or both, which is the most likely scenario.
 
Anticipating every need is difficult.
 
Just like anticipating every ripple effect of change is difficult. We can never predict every impact, so in the end we need to be flexible, resourceful, and optimistic.
 
Today’s intention: Think back about your change initiatives this past year. What surprises were there? Could you have accounted for every impact your changes would make?

Cheers!

Frederick

Colleagues,

MVP: Focus on the step you are taking.
​
In 21 days, Pam and I will celebrate our 35th wedding anniversary by stepping onto England’s Pennine Way, a long-distance hiking trail of 268 miles. We have been making serious preparations for a long time and now as the date gets near, I’ve begun thinking about what I might learn out on that winding trail. This week, I’ll play with five lessons I anticipate being reminded of.
 
A journey of 1000 (or 268) miles begins with one step.
 
It’s too easy to get focused on a final destination. Every journey has countless small segments. When we go A-B, we set ourselves up for success by creating easy wins and by living in the present moment.

Today’s intention: Think back on your year. Where did you begin? How far have you come?

Colleagues,

MVP: Unsupported people go elsewhere

Tayla was frustrated yet again and this was the final straw. It always felt like she was being undermined. She tried to hold her students to high standards. She tempered her no-nonsense approach with a healthy dose of care for her students. She desperately wanted the best for them and one of the ways she did this was to hold them to high expectations.
 
These expectations sometimes put her in conflict with parents, or even other teachers. Even though her principal was quick to say “I support you”, Tayla often felt less than supported. This was especially true when she was asked to “reconsider” a decision she had made thoughtfully.
 
After Thursday’s meeting with a disgruntled parent and her principal, Tayla felt undermined. Again.
 
On Friday, she turned in her resignation, and her principal was a loss for words.
 
Today’s intention: Ever felt unsupported? Did the person you wanted support from realize how you felt? Reflect on any recent conflicts – who might have felt supported? Or not?

The stories this week are about schools, but the lessons apply to all leaders. Two weeks ago, I spoke with three teachers who are leaving the profession. While each daily message will stand on its own, there is an underlying theme which I will pull together on Friday.


Cheers!

​Frederick

Colleagues,

MVP: Don’t want to be surprised? Listen to people.

This week, we have looked at three situations in which teachers resigned, all leaving their leader surprised.


From the stories, we know little about whether the teachers were excellent, average, mediocre, or worse. All we know is how they felt.


We know little about the principal, whether she was excellent, average, mediocre, or worse. All we know is that she was surprised.


Lack of opportunity, curriculum struggles, feeling unsupported, these seem like three very different situations, yet there is a unifying theme.


The title of today’s message is Miracle Cure. Do you know what I am referring to?


How might each story have been different if the principal was consistently present for her teachers? What if she routinely checked in on them, not just asking “how are you?” but asking again, “No, really, how are you?”


Maybe the principal wouldn’t have been able to help. Maybe she wouldn’t have wanted to.


But at the very least, had she been present, she would not have been surprised.


Want a miracle? Just show up. Just ask the second question. Just listen.


Bonus: The subject line of each daily email this week is a song performed by the same band. Email me the name of the band by midnight Sunday and I will have a surprise for you on Monday!

The stories this week are about schools, but the lessons apply to all leaders. Two weeks ago, I spoke with three teachers who are leaving the profession. While each daily message will stand on its own, there is an underlying theme which I will pull together on Friday.

Today's intention: BE PRESENT!

Cheers!

Frederick