Never forget the importance of 3 letters: W, H, and Y. We must combine these regularly and often. #QuoteADay #Day41 #edchat #edu #AskWhy
It's such a simple question. Yet, we don't always take the time to ask it.
"Why?"
It's a question that can be applied to numerous situations, and an answer that often tells more than we might at first admit.
In a leader's repertoire, asking "why" is akin to crime scene investigation, or more happily, searching for buried treasure. It's also a question that often needs to be asked multiple times, particularly around the same topic.
We need to get in the habit of asking "why" whenever a situation presents itself, whether the reason we're asking the question is to collect data, extend thinking further, or provide for deep reflection.
It's a simple step to take, but one that speaks volumes for a leader's style and for the type of goals that an organization can set.
After all, if a three year old can be comfortable asking the question repeatedly, why can't a well-established leader?
Why?
Why not.
Monday, February 10, 2014
Sunday, February 9, 2014
Quote-A-Day: Day 40
#Leaders who expect something in return for their hard work are missing the point. The work is the #reward. #QuoteADay #Day40 #edchat #edu
Intrinsic motivation is a prerequisite for leaders. If you lead expecting recognition, you're not in it for the right reasons. The act of leadership, while never easy, should be the only reward any leader worth his/her salt aims for.
Now, this doesn't mean that leaders should spurn recognition if the opportunity presents itself. As I've mentioned here previously, opportunities for self-promotion should be taken (as long as we remain humble); we just shouldn't go looking for accolades wherever we go.
We're in education to help cultivate the future leaders of society, so the work we do can be thankless and may have a very, very long incubation time. Still, one of our cornerstones is we believe in the importance of helping others reach their goals as we continue to strive toward reaching our own.
The joy on the face of others as they see success, the brainstorming that is a part of addressing any failure, and the veritable "light bulb" that turns on when learners make a discovery should serve as the only reward our professional lives need to sustain us and keep us leading forward.
Intrinsic motivation is a prerequisite for leaders. If you lead expecting recognition, you're not in it for the right reasons. The act of leadership, while never easy, should be the only reward any leader worth his/her salt aims for.
Now, this doesn't mean that leaders should spurn recognition if the opportunity presents itself. As I've mentioned here previously, opportunities for self-promotion should be taken (as long as we remain humble); we just shouldn't go looking for accolades wherever we go.
We're in education to help cultivate the future leaders of society, so the work we do can be thankless and may have a very, very long incubation time. Still, one of our cornerstones is we believe in the importance of helping others reach their goals as we continue to strive toward reaching our own.
The joy on the face of others as they see success, the brainstorming that is a part of addressing any failure, and the veritable "light bulb" that turns on when learners make a discovery should serve as the only reward our professional lives need to sustain us and keep us leading forward.
Saturday, February 8, 2014
Quote-A-Day: Day 39
It's okay to think inside the box, as long as the box can fit multiple people + can be assembled in multiple ways. #QuoteADay #Day39 #edchat
Innovation doesn't necessarily require totally new thinking. In fact, we don't have to think "outside of the box" to truly innovate. Rather, we can work with the box we're in and change how we look at things. Sometimes that accomplishes more than a truly "novel" idea.
The most important piece, though, is that if we are going to work with the box that we've currently got, that we can fit other people inside the box, and that the box doesn't have just one series of steps to put it together. Multiple brains are always better than one, particularly when it comes to ideation and troubleshooting. If our box is too small, we'll never get the required sample size necessary to truly develop great ideas.
We also have to be able to assemble our box in a multitude of ways. A "one-size-fits-all" box never truly does, and we have to enter into brainstorming sessions being open to the fact that the result may not be what we envisioned (or personally hoped for).
And in the end, that just means that leaders and learners have to be open to letting go and allowing the power of the group to influence decision-making. Otherwise, it doesn't matter whether we're working outside the box or inside it, as all stakeholders will end up feeling claustrophobic.
Innovation doesn't necessarily require totally new thinking. In fact, we don't have to think "outside of the box" to truly innovate. Rather, we can work with the box we're in and change how we look at things. Sometimes that accomplishes more than a truly "novel" idea.
The most important piece, though, is that if we are going to work with the box that we've currently got, that we can fit other people inside the box, and that the box doesn't have just one series of steps to put it together. Multiple brains are always better than one, particularly when it comes to ideation and troubleshooting. If our box is too small, we'll never get the required sample size necessary to truly develop great ideas.
We also have to be able to assemble our box in a multitude of ways. A "one-size-fits-all" box never truly does, and we have to enter into brainstorming sessions being open to the fact that the result may not be what we envisioned (or personally hoped for).
And in the end, that just means that leaders and learners have to be open to letting go and allowing the power of the group to influence decision-making. Otherwise, it doesn't matter whether we're working outside the box or inside it, as all stakeholders will end up feeling claustrophobic.
Friday, February 7, 2014
Quote-A-Day: Day 38
Effective #leaders know when life gets sour, they need to keep adding #sugar until things turn out #sweet. #QuoteADay #Day38 #edchat #edu
Like it or not, life isn't always smooth. In fact, in the world of education, there are plenty of opportunities where things can go sour. Of course, those who get it know that the best leaders don't let the sour grapes spoil their wine, opting instead to add doses of sweetness to turn a situation around.
As a leader you're always in the spotlight. And when in the spotlight, you can't let any one person, situation, or idea get the best of you. That means addressing challenging situations when they happen, but not allowing yourself to be so challenged that you can no longer think or act as professionally as you truly are. Leaders must be comfortable showing their emotions, but must be even more comfortable showing poise, thought, and reflection. These characteristics can help separate the leaders who weigh every step from those who over-react or jump in too soon.
How do we prevent our emotions from boiling over? By sweetening the situation with niceties that are true and a return of conversation to the topics of most importance: children and learning.
There are times where we feel that our whole being is under attack. Yet, we must make sure that we never allow our personal feelings to cloud our professional thought. By taking even the most negative situations and softening them with some sugar, we can build some time for reflection before reaction, and this always makes for better decision-making.
Like it or not, life isn't always smooth. In fact, in the world of education, there are plenty of opportunities where things can go sour. Of course, those who get it know that the best leaders don't let the sour grapes spoil their wine, opting instead to add doses of sweetness to turn a situation around.
As a leader you're always in the spotlight. And when in the spotlight, you can't let any one person, situation, or idea get the best of you. That means addressing challenging situations when they happen, but not allowing yourself to be so challenged that you can no longer think or act as professionally as you truly are. Leaders must be comfortable showing their emotions, but must be even more comfortable showing poise, thought, and reflection. These characteristics can help separate the leaders who weigh every step from those who over-react or jump in too soon.
How do we prevent our emotions from boiling over? By sweetening the situation with niceties that are true and a return of conversation to the topics of most importance: children and learning.
There are times where we feel that our whole being is under attack. Yet, we must make sure that we never allow our personal feelings to cloud our professional thought. By taking even the most negative situations and softening them with some sugar, we can build some time for reflection before reaction, and this always makes for better decision-making.
Thursday, February 6, 2014
Quote-A-Day: Day 37
Strong leaders know that #communication transcends media: both face-to-face + virtual are necessary. #QuoteADay #Day37 #edchat #edu #edtech
If there is one thing about education that can't be denied, it is that effective leading and learning rests on effective communication. The most effective educators understand the importance of communication, and even more so, understand the need to communicate across media.
SPOILER ALERT: There is no one form of communication that works in every given context (I know, surprise, surprise). And yet, sometimes, we bang our heads against the wall trying to reach the same stakeholders in the same way over and over (and over) again.
The good news is that with so many different media available (both face-to-face and virtual) it is just a matter of time and practice to figure out what form of communication works best for each stakeholder group. The more challenging news is that to do this, we need to invest time (a whole lot of precious time :) ).
The best part, of course, is that now, more than ever before, we can reach populations we could only dream of reaching, and through that process help further education.
Like anything else in education, there is no panacea. Forms of communication are no different!
If there is one thing about education that can't be denied, it is that effective leading and learning rests on effective communication. The most effective educators understand the importance of communication, and even more so, understand the need to communicate across media.
SPOILER ALERT: There is no one form of communication that works in every given context (I know, surprise, surprise). And yet, sometimes, we bang our heads against the wall trying to reach the same stakeholders in the same way over and over (and over) again.
The good news is that with so many different media available (both face-to-face and virtual) it is just a matter of time and practice to figure out what form of communication works best for each stakeholder group. The more challenging news is that to do this, we need to invest time (a whole lot of precious time :) ).
The best part, of course, is that now, more than ever before, we can reach populations we could only dream of reaching, and through that process help further education.
Like anything else in education, there is no panacea. Forms of communication are no different!
Wednesday, February 5, 2014
Quote-A-Day: Day 36
A #leader who doesn't get the importance of rest is like a candle burning at both ends. Neither will last long. #edchat #QuoteADay #Day36
Rest and relaxation are necessary parts of life. Leaders and learners need to make sure they are getting appropriate amounts of rest in order to tackle the challenges that life provides. As I write this, I'm working through a fever that has kept me in bed for much of the day. Being a very active person, it's hard to stay in bed for even the shortest period of time, but I recognize the importance of doing what I can to let my body take care of itself. I've spent most of the day sleeping, and am now so wired that I am just itching to get out of bed.
Still, we have to recognize that our bodies (and minds) give us signs as to when we need to slow down. Leaders who operate on a mile-a-minute mentality are destined to burn out, and if they don't, it's likely they will have moved so fast through their careers that they will have never built the capacity to secure their buildings and districts for the future.
Sticking with my own advice I'm going to keep this post short and take it easy the rest of the night, with hopes of being "back to normal" by the morning.
Rest and relaxation are necessary parts of life. Leaders and learners need to make sure they are getting appropriate amounts of rest in order to tackle the challenges that life provides. As I write this, I'm working through a fever that has kept me in bed for much of the day. Being a very active person, it's hard to stay in bed for even the shortest period of time, but I recognize the importance of doing what I can to let my body take care of itself. I've spent most of the day sleeping, and am now so wired that I am just itching to get out of bed.
Still, we have to recognize that our bodies (and minds) give us signs as to when we need to slow down. Leaders who operate on a mile-a-minute mentality are destined to burn out, and if they don't, it's likely they will have moved so fast through their careers that they will have never built the capacity to secure their buildings and districts for the future.
Sticking with my own advice I'm going to keep this post short and take it easy the rest of the night, with hopes of being "back to normal" by the morning.
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
Quote-A-Day: Day 35
If given choice, hold onto #people over #ideas. Ideas can be regenerated, people cannot. #edchat #edu #QuoteADay #Day35 #AllAboutThePeople
There are times when we find ourselves between a rock and a hard place; where a choice we make either supports people, or supports an idea. In those instances, it is best to think about how your decision will make the people (and the idea) "feel."
The fact of the matter is (surprise, surprise) ideas can't feel, and while decisions can't always be made based on "feelings," we must understand the power of relationships. Once we've let a person go, he/she can be hard, if not impossible, to bring back. Tabled ideas, however, can be re-pitched when the time, and people involved, are right.
The main problem with picking an idea over a person is that while ideas may contribute intellectual capital, they never produce human capital. People, on the other hand, provide both. From a simple risk-benefit analysis (I know, I know, life is never that simple) the answer is clear.
Is there ever an instance where the idea should take precedence over the person? Yes, but only in rare circumstances. If the idea must be acted on immediately, and will positively impact a large number of stakeholders, and the person involved is simply providing resistance, than the idea is the logical choice. But, in my years in education so far, this type of situation rarely happens. Remember, individuals before ideas.
What do you think?
There are times when we find ourselves between a rock and a hard place; where a choice we make either supports people, or supports an idea. In those instances, it is best to think about how your decision will make the people (and the idea) "feel."
The fact of the matter is (surprise, surprise) ideas can't feel, and while decisions can't always be made based on "feelings," we must understand the power of relationships. Once we've let a person go, he/she can be hard, if not impossible, to bring back. Tabled ideas, however, can be re-pitched when the time, and people involved, are right.
The main problem with picking an idea over a person is that while ideas may contribute intellectual capital, they never produce human capital. People, on the other hand, provide both. From a simple risk-benefit analysis (I know, I know, life is never that simple) the answer is clear.
Is there ever an instance where the idea should take precedence over the person? Yes, but only in rare circumstances. If the idea must be acted on immediately, and will positively impact a large number of stakeholders, and the person involved is simply providing resistance, than the idea is the logical choice. But, in my years in education so far, this type of situation rarely happens. Remember, individuals before ideas.
What do you think?
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