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Colleagues,
MVP: If your only source of growth is your leader, you are limiting yourself When I was a new teacher, my headmaster had a huge impact on my growth. When I moved to a new teaching job, my principal had a huge impact on my growth. When I moved to the district office, my superintendent had a huge impact on my growth. Both times I moved to the university, my (numerous) department chairs had a huge impact on my growth. In each instant, I was like a new seed, being dropped into an environment that was like the soil. That soil reflected my leader’s strengths and weaknesses. In many cases we choose our leader and the soil that leader has created, but in many instances we don’t. So, what do we do when the soil we are in is not perfect? Today’s intention: Take stock of your leader’s strengths and weaknesses. Where can you draw strength from them for your growth? Where will you need to draw on someone else’s strengths? Cheers! Frederick
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Colleagues,
MVP: A good support network for your leadership comprises four roles. One of the challenges of leading is how we manage to focus our efforts. We need to evaluate the past, but we also need to look towards the future. At the same time, we need to be grounded in the present. When I reflect on my worst leadership decisions, they occurred when I felt isolated, tried to own too much, and when I failed to ask for help. Leaders need a support network which fulfills four roles:
Please consider taking an extra minute or two and share your answers to today’s intention with me! Today’s intention: Take stock of your support network. Where is it strong and where is it lacking? If there are barriers to filling all those roles, what are they? Again, please consider sharing your thoughts with me! You can email me here. Cheers! Frederick Colleagues,
MVP: When too many demands interfere with our core work, there is a problem. I had a brief conversation with a 10-year veteran teacher who is considering leaving the profession. She said, “I love the kids and teaching, it’s all the other stuff.” Hmmm… It seems like teaching kids (and preparing to teach them) should be about 95% of the work, but other things have crept in, such that teachers are spending significant time doing things that detract from their focus. Today’s intention: Think about your own work. What is the essential purpose of your role? How much of your time is focused on that purpose? What gets in the way? Cheers! Frederick Colleagues,
MVP: Holding people accountable is a sign of caring. During our Pennine Way hike, Pam and I walked 16-20 miles every day for 16 days. We lost weight, gained muscle, and finished the hike feeling very fit. Back in the work world, we don’t have time to walk 16 miles, so we’ve come up with a plan to work out each morning. As part of that plan, we have agreed to hold each other mutually accountable. We will push each other because we care about each other’s health. This captures the idea of compassionate accountability – If I really care about someone, I will hold them accountable to their commitments. Dr. Nate Regier, was our guest on yesterday’s episode of The Assistant Principal Podcast, and Nate’s new book is called Compassionate Accountability. This is a sector-agnostic show, so even if you aren’t an educator, consider listening to the show. Today’s intention: I’ll be writing more about accountability partners this month, but for now reflect on this: Who is your accountability partner? Cheers! Frederick Colleagues,
MVP: Being fully present allows us to appreciate the little things From June 11-28, Pam and I hiked the 270-mile Pennine Way in the UK. It seemed like every day there were leadership lessons for us. One of the things that is continuing to impact me is the power of presence. This may surprise you as I frequently write about being fully present, but what I experienced during the hike was a depth presence beyond anything I can remember.
And here is the leadership lesson… When I was fully present, the smallest beauties were as magnificent as the biggest ones. A pebble was as impressive as a cliff side. A tiny flower was as beautiful as an orange sunset. A black slug was as magnificent as a wild horse. What explains this? Simple: by being fully present, I noticed the details that I would normally have passed by, and in noticing, I was able to appreciate. I’ll write more about this in the coming weeks. Today’s intention: Try and find a few minutes to pause and notice something small and insignificant, and in it, find the beauty. Cheers! Frederick |
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