Category: Motivation
Get the Gig
Landing your first principal job is no small feat. Likely, you’ve discovered some challenges already in this process. Maybe you’ve followed some principal interview tips and prepared the perfect answers to principal interview questions. Unfortunately, it’s not that easy. However, there is hope. And there are simple steps you can take to find the right…
Sometimes Opportunity
You Can. Sometimes opportunity doesn’t come. Sometimes windows don’t open. Sometimes there is no door to walk through. Sometimes you chart your own path. You Can.
Laughter and the Most Wasted of All Days
The most wasted of all days is the one without laughter. Laugh today, not merely because of comedy, but because life is meant to be experienced with emotion. You’ll be better for it. The people you lead will be better for it.
Perfect, Good, Great
“Perfect is the enemy of good.” – Voltaire “Good is the enemy of great.” – Jim Collins Respectfully, Voltaire, I have to disagree. Perfect is the enemy of action. Perfect is the friend of delay. Something else is the enemy of good. But what is the enemy of good? We don’t need to ask this…
Do You Ever Just Not Feel Like Doing It? …a secret.
I know I do. Sometimes I just don’t want to do it. That project, that repetitive task, or whatever that job is that has lost its pizazz. Here’s the secret. When you don’t feel like doing it, that’s the sign to do it. Act. Don’t delay. Then when you’re finished, you can evaluate whether or…
Indifference and Opposition
Innovation can be fueled by motivated people and can also serve to motivate people. Innovation is more than a mere plan or idea – it’s an esprit de corps. You, the school leader can make or break innovation. Positional leaders can take active or inactive roles in thwarting innovation either through indifference or opposition. You’re…
Three Powerful Letters
Y, E, S are three powerful letters, but they’re not as empowering as these three letters. These three letters form a word that initiates learning, sets momentum in action, and provides evidence for decision-making. What are the three powerful letters? N O W Now. Whatever it is you’re wanting to learn… Whatever it is you’re…
How is it that 7 principals all have the same answer?
I asked seven principals the same question, “What are you currently learning?” How is it that all seven principals answered with a common theme? Listen to episode 98 (What are Principals Learning) to hear what they said. What are you learning? Leave me a message here that could air on a future podcast.
If you’re a risk-taker, you will…
Make mistakes. But it’s not the mistakes that define you. It’s not failure that defines you. It’s what you focus on that defines you. If you’re focused on your mission – your why – then mistakes will refine you. Just listen to these amazing educational leaders and principals share what they learned from their mistakes.
Rust in the Through Hulls
Through-hulls are actually holes placed in the bottom of a boat. They serve many purposes such as water to cool engines, toilet plumbing, and a source of water to spray the boat down while at sea. When neglected, or simply after years in the water, the through-hulls can rust. This can pose major issues which…
Criticism is Proof of What
Criticism is proof they’re listening. It is not evidence of stopping. Whatever you do, don’t let criticism be proof that you’re not good enough or that you need to stop. Silence is a lack of evidence. If you’re going to make waves, there will be criticism. If your waves are valuable the criticisms will represent…
Goals and Effort
Some goals are attainable. As a matter of fact, some proponents of goal-setting say goals should be attainable. They say it’s a defining feature of a SMART goal. Other goals are aspirational. They are a stretch. They represent an aspiration. Let’s look at the difference between attainable and aspirational goals. Four questions may help: Is…
Excellence
Don’t shoot for perfect. Also, don’t ever be satisfied with the quality. Always. Press. Status. Quo. It’s about the pursuit of excellence.
Learning to Be Confident
For some of us, it’s probably the hardest thing. Yeah, sure we all have areas of strength where we’re confident. But confidence in decision-making, confidence in your judgment, and confidence with humility – these things take time to learn. It’s the start of another school year. The path ahead is not a sprint. Remember to:…
Be Bold This Year
Maybe the shortest blog post, yet. Simply, be bold this year. Listen here >>