I consider myself a liberal. I believe that part of the role of government is to ensure equality, establish policies that promote equal opportunity, and enact laws that protect individual rights. It doesn’t mean that I don’t believe in personal responsibility, a free market, or a strong national defense. Although these things are generally attributed …
Leadership Mindsets
A mindset is a way of thinking. It’s a place where our beliefs, thoughts and behaviors intersect to form attitudes and frame our actions. We all have mindsets. They influence the way we act, our ability to make decisions and, according to some psychologists, our potential. As I started in my first superintendent position, someone …
The Power of Reflective Practice
There’s a myth I’d like to dispel, and that is we don’t automatically learn from our mistakes. Wow, right? Simply making a mistake doesn’t suddenly impart a new set of knowledge or skill that will serve us in the future. If that were the case, I’d undoubtedly be ski jumping in the Olympics, not waiting …
Why Feedback is Important
Research has shown that the ability to regularly seek feedback is one of the most significant indicators of success. Constructive feedback helps by providing direction, can inspire and motivate and overall increase performance–whether at work or in life. However, seeking feedback can be uncomfortable. And unsolicited feedback, especially when negative, can feel like an attack. …
Mental Health Awareness
May is Mental Health Awareness month. As I was writing this, the following article literally popped into my email: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/live-life-creatively/202205/mental-health-awareness-month-myths It’s a good read. But here is why I think it is important - Two weeks ago a 7th grade boy brought a gun to school and shot himself in the bathroom during the school …
“Systems” Thinking
Hiring the ideal team and focusing on culture are among the most important high impact leadership practices. But in addition to these “people” priorities, successful leaders and organizations also recognize the importance of “systems.” Leaders and organizations that struggle often do so because they lack in their attention to systems thinking. As a result, change …
With freedom comes responsibility.
95% of people believe what they read. See? Did you believe that? One of the privileges we all enjoy as a part of our democracy is freedom of speech. It’s even more evident now as we watch what is happening in other parts of the world. However, with freedom comes responsibility. I believe the freedoms …
Lollygagging, Dawdling and Twiddling Thumbs
The summer between high school and college, I worked as a lawn care specialist. What that really meant was I drove a big truck filled with fertilizer and applied it to people’s lawns. Because of the chemicals involved, I had to wear jeans, boots and a long-sleeve shirt. And being summer in Florida, it …
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Stifle or Support
What do companies like Apple, Microsoft, Google, Amazon and Netflix have in common? Aside from being widely recognized as some of the best organizations in recent times, these companies have implemented innovative workplace policies that provide employees autonomy and flexibility. Since 2004, Google has made it a priority to encourage its employees to spend 20% …
Creativity
The one thing that distinguishes human beings from any other life form (about which we are aware) is our ability to create. Well, sort of. A number of years ago, it was proven that using artificial intelligence applications, computers could write coherent fiction and non-fiction, compose original music, create original works of art and engage …
impassionED 