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Colleagues,
MVP: At the front end, ask: Why is anything more than the minimum necessary? Outlining the “scope creep” of another project:
Why is it so difficult to practice what I preach? My book, A School Leader’s Guide to Reclaiming Purpose, describes the journey from urgent to strategic in linear terms, but the truth is we are always dancing between the different stages of the journey. It is never finished, and that’s okay. Just try and be a bit better every day (said to myself 🤣) Today’s intention: Did you have scope creep this summer? If so, reflect on what happened, how, when, and why the project grew bigger. Is there a lesson? Cheers! Frederick
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Colleagues,
MVP: Working hard and making progress are two different things, and the first does not necessarily lead to the second. It seems like every month I need to share something from Seth Godin, one of three daily emails I subscribe to. The full post is here, but this is the essence of it: “The best jugglers don’t seem to be trying very hard. That’s because they understand what the work involves, and they don’t confuse effort with results.” This nails the contrast between urgent and strategic leaders! Urgent leaders focus on action. They stay in motion, never pausing to ask the questions that would open up other possibilities. As long as they are working hard, they feel productive. Even when, at the end of the day, they wonder if their work actually makes a difference. Strategic leaders focus on progress. They look for ways to make things slightly better. This requires them to pause. To ask questions of others, and to reflect. They ask “why?” Today’s intention: If you are putting out the same fire over and over, you are treating a symptom. Consider asking why and figuring out the problem. Cheers! Frederick Colleagues,
20. In the end, it’s really about people I’ve been blessed to have had an incredible career in which I have been able to contribute important things to a lot of people. As a teacher and leader, I have been able to change lives (that’s a shameless plug for the teaching profession). I’m not done yet, either. However, what I have only recently come to understand is that as important as those things have been, what really mattered was being in the relationships with each person. It really is about the person in front of you at the moment, and about being human together. We forget that in this insanely busy world. Try this – instead of eating lunch at your computer trying to catch up with email, go eat lunch with a colleague. Enjoy being present with and for that person. That is more important than email. Spending time with a colleague will also make you a better leader in a way that catching up on email cannot. Intention: Next week, make sure to have lunch with someone. Get away from the computer and ask the second question. Be present. This has been our annual 20 Things run of emails. This year we have three bonus pieces of wisdom. If you responded to any of the previous 19 messages, or if you respond to this one, you will be receiving a special email with the four additional pieces of wisdom! Intention: Choose your favorite piece of wisdom, write it on a sticky note and place it on your mirror. Cheers! Frederick Colleagues,
19. Good leaders are patient In 1985 I was a football graduate assistant for The Ohio State University. I worked with our recruiting coordinator Bob McNea. In my 22-year-old mind Coach McNea seemed to be about 112 years old. Each day we would come back from lunch, and he would pull out his big ring of keys, search for the right one, and then attempt to gain entry into our office. I say attempt because the lock was finicky, and the key had to be jiggled just so. One day, in my exuberance, I became impatient and took the keys from his hands. “Here Coach, I’ll do it.” Because, of course, this young man could do it better (faster) than the old one standing next to me. Coach looked at me, and in a firm but kind voice said, “Frederick, how are you ever going to be a good teacher if you don’t have patience?” I can still hear him. Great teachers have great patience. Why? Patience creates space… a safe space. It is in that safe space that people can take the time and the risks that will help them grow. Strategic leaders prioritize growing people, and so strategic leaders must be patient teachers. Coach McNea passed away in 2010, and I regret never having told him how much of an impact he had on me. Intention: Consider taking a few minutes today to reach out to someone who you want to acknowledge – before it is too late. Cheers! Frederick Colleagues,
18. Focus on A-B My mind always goes to the big idea. There is good in that, but usually it is better to focus on the next step. Stay focused, be simple, and just get better incrementally. Being a bit better today than yesterday is enough. Any small improvement today is more valuable than a big change months from now. I should confess, of all the wisdom this month, this is consistently the hardest one for me to follow. I love big ideas and grand plans, but they only work when we can break them down into A-B steps. Intention: Focus on taking one small action that makes one thing a tiny bit easier right now. Cheers! Frederick |
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