SHACKLETON'S WAY

One of my summer reading books was, Shackleton's Way by Margot Morrell and Stephanie Capparell.  Ernest Shackelton was an early 20th century explorer, most well-known for his Antarctic exploration in which he and his crew survived a two year, twelve hundred mile journey.

I have summarized the key leadership points from the book here.  How does this relate to you and your position?  What is most important?

1-      The Path To Leadership

-          Learned from his family a broad and sympathetic view of the world that helped to shape his leadership style

-          Once a choice was made, he saw his commitments through to the end

-          Read often to find wisdom and guidance

-          Turn a setback into an opportunity

-          Learned from his past mistakes.  Experience taught him the kind of leader he didn’t want to be.

-          Always put the well-being of his crew first.

2-      Hire an Outstanding Crew

-          Hired those who shared his vision and enthusiasm for exploration, were reliable, loyal, optimist, team players, hard workers, and who had the skills and expertise he lacked

3-      Create a Spirit of Camaraderie

-          Made himself accessible to his crew, listened to their concerns, and kept them informed about the ship’s business

-          Shackleton worked right alongside the men doing the same job

-          Relaxation and entertainment (celebrations) were critical parts of the schedule

4-      Get the Best from Each Individual

-          To maintain morale, allow each man to put his personal stamp on his surroundings

-          Made sure each man had challenging and meaningful work

-          Gave his men constant feedback, praising their efforts and correcting their mistakes

5-      Lead Effectively in a Crisis

-          Addressed his men, leaving no doubt that he was in charge and would get them through the crisis if they would stick together and trust him

-          Made contingency plans while still being flexible

-          Kept the malcontent close to him to contain their effect and to try to win them over

-          Kept a sense of humor

-          Sought out advice but made final decisions alone

6-      Form Teams for Tough Assignments

-          Intentionally organized teams around personalities and ability to work together

-          Trusted his team leaders but always kept an eye on each individual

7-      Overcome Obstacles to Reach a Goal

-          Take extreme risks when options are narrowed

-          Shook his companions hands in a gesture of congratulations

CARING is #1

About one week ago, my wife and I rushed our 14 month-old daughter to Nationwide Children's Hospital.  She had pulled down a cup of hot tea on herself and sustained second degree burns on her abdomen.  It was one of the most terrifying and horrific moments as a parent.

When we arrived at the ER check in, we were the fourth family in line waiting to be checked in by the security guard.  I made my voice heard and security quickly ushered us to the front.  We were expedited through registration, a triage room, and escorted to room ten in the ER within minutes. The burn unit surgeon on-call assessed the wounds, consulted with a fellow, and explained the plan of action.

We spent three days and two nights in the burn unit at Nationwide Children's Hospital.  During this time we interacted with approximately 40 employees (nurses, doctors, therapists, housekeeping, security guards, pharmacist, clerical staff, etc.).  It was emotionally painful for my wife and I to watch our baby go through such a harrowing experience.  However, it was significantly lessened first and foremost by the prayers of our loved ones, but also by the sincere care that was displayed to us by these employees.  Every single employee of Children's that we encountered was caring.

From the security guard who ushered us to the front, to the nurse who was constantly reassuring, to the lady who brought the lunch and whispered so as to not wake my daughter and wife, to the nurse who blew bubbles to distract my baby when her bandages were being changed, to the guy who played his guitar for my daughter in the play room - we knew we were cared for.  We were strangers to these people, but they loved us as if we were family.

It is not enough to be competent in your job - especially in education.  It is not enough to have the knowledge to be good at what you do and the wherewithal to solve problems.

Sure you might know the content of your subject and the standards of your course inside and out. Maybe as an instructional leader you keep up on the latest technology tools and instructional practices to improve learning.  Quite possibly, you are so awesome that you've mastered the elusive challenge of using assessment data to differentiate instruction to meet the needs of all learners.  But more than anything - do you love and care for those in your building?  How do your actions reflect this?

If you really want to make a difference - if you really want to make a lasting, powerful impact - you have to be driven with a sincere care for others.

GROWTH MINDSET

Although Carol Dweck coined the term and examined the theory in 2006, the concept has really gained steam in the education world in the past few years.  Growth mindset was explored in our most recent staff professional development day.  However, the challenge from any PD session is to translate that into real results in student outcomes. Therefore, teachers were encouraged to share growth mindset related resources with each other, seek feedback from each other, and analyze instructional practices to determine whether a growth or fixed mindset message is being sent to our students.

The very next day, I had two teachers share some powerful examples from their classroom. 

One of the most impactful ways in which we can help to teach our students about a growth mindset is to model the mindset and behavior.  The first teacher shared his notes that he took in college about the same topic the students were beginning to learn about.  As he put the hand-written notes on the screen for the students to see, they began to chuckle at the elementary handwriting and weird shorthand. The teacher explained to his students that he struggled how to take notes in college because he never properly learned how to do it in middle or high school.  This opened up a deep conversation with his students about the importance of learning how to effectively take notes in class.  The teacher shared his struggles but demonstrated how he persevered and grew academically.  This students were now ready and willing to learn how to do something new!

The most powerful growth mindset exercise that I have ever seen was shared with me by another teacher.  She showed her students a short video clip of motivation and growth mindset.  Then she had her students write a letter – to their self.  She told the students she would read the letters and write back.  What an amazing opportunity for this adult to connect and encourage our students to establish a growth mindset!  Here are a few snippets of what some of the students wrote:

            Dear Self:

This video speaks a lot to me because I frequently hold myself back from doing things because I believe I’m not good enough.  It makes me wonder how many opportunities I’ve missed because of my “you can’t do it” mentality.  If I started believing in myself, I could do amazing things instead of wondering “what could have been?”

            Dear Self:

This video hit hard.  I’ve realized that I need to stop telling myself that I’m not good enough.  I don’t have to show everyone that I am the best.  Just myself.  I am good enough!  I’m not the best. But, I will be the best.  If I try my best, who cares if I’m not the best.  Just keep telling yourself that you can.  I know I can.  I know I will.  If your dad can do it, you can do it.  Stay strong and remember that you can.  No matter what everyone else thinks!

            Dear Self:

Opportunity or obligation?  Stop making it an obligation.  Stop believing that you’re not good enough.  Stop the mindset of comparison.  It’s not about being the fastest in the lane or acing every test.  It’s about being better than before.  It’s about improvement and courage.  Not jealousy.  Drive needs to be there all of the time.  Focus on improvement, not success.  Success will come.  Now believe it will. Then all the effort pays off.  But that won’t come without urgency and the belief in yourself.  Urgency is essential.  Improvement is as well.

            Dear Self:

What I want you to take from this video is your mindset.  What I want you to do is think differently.  All those negative thoughts….gone!  I want you to think differently about your future.  I want to challenge you to work harder at whatever you are striving for.  If you are going to do something do it right – put in 120%.  Think about if you work that much harder how much greater you can be.  Effort pays off.  Have more positivity of that mindset to get out there and chase your dreams.  To get there is going to take hard work.  I am going to need a positive mindset.  Failures and challenges will be a part of the process.  I am okay with that.  With this mindset I’m unstoppable.  So get out there and become something.  Become great.

PERCEPTION IS REALITY

Last night I returned from a long day of work and my son’s soccer practice around 8:15.  My wife said that my daughter (Brooklyn) was having her cousin (Alena) stay the night and I needed to take them to the Alena’s house to get her stuff.  The girls were out riding bikes somewhere and I did not want to wait any longer to do that task so I jumped in my car searching the neighborhood for them.  I quickly found them at the end of the street with two other kids about the same age (my daughter is 10).

I pulled over to them and rolled down the passenger window and was talking with my daughter, Brooklyn.  I asked what she was doing and told her to get home so we can go to Alena’s house and get her stuff.  Brooklyn said she did not want to go and wanted to stay right there and keep playing.  They had been swimming earlier in the day and I noticed that Alena had not yet changed back into her clothes with the exception of putting a shirt on over her bathing suit.  I noted to Brooklyn that Alena doesn’t even have any clothes (meaning shorts) and we needed to go get some since she was staying the night.  Alena quickly responded by tugging up her shirt and saying she did have a bathing suit on.  Brooklyn continued saying they do not need to go to Alena’s house because she already had stuff at our house (unbeknownst to my wife).  Good enough for me – I was ready to head back home and crash anyway.

Little did I know that a very observant lady across the street was watching the interaction, heard some of what was being said, and witnessed the girls’ reluctant behavior to do what I had asked.  As I began to pull away I noticed the lady walking briskly to my daughter and her friends.  By the movements of her mouth and hand/arm motions it struck me right away what she was asking them…..”Do you know that man?!?  What did he want?!?”

From the neighbor’s perspective and limited knowledge of what was going on, I was some creep trying to get my daughter and her cousin either in my car or asking them inappropriate things!!  After I laughed off the initial misunderstanding, I realized some interesting links to leadership and relationships.

So as you begin your new school year in the next few days, a few reminders:

1.      Be clear in your communication

I was not clear in my communication to the girls.  I should have said to my niece that she did not have any shorts on or any to change into – rather than did not have any clothes.

It is difficult for many (me included) to convey exact feelings and thoughts in written words.  I prefer looking at body language and facial expressions to help me understand a person’s intentions.  Those are absent in the written word.  This year, be careful about how you use email.  Email is great for quick, informational transactions – but remember the power in eye to eye contact and personal touch of proximity.

2.      Ask the right questions (before jumping to conclusions)

I am sure the neighbor had a perception of me that was not so pleasant.  She only heard part of the conversation and had one viewpoint.  However, before jumping too quickly to a conclusion, she asked the right questions to my daughter. 

It is amazing how many disagreements are a result of a lack of asking the right (or even any) questions.  This year, be sure to gain an understanding of the entire picture before jumping to conclusions.

3.      Get each other’s back

At first I was slightly annoyed with the neighbor’s intrusion on my conversation with my own daughter and niece.  However when I told my wife the story she immediately expressed gratitude for the neighbor watching out for Brooklyn and her friends.  So true.

Your colleagues and the students in your building are all on a team.  This year, watch out for each other.  When you notice someone on your team is down, do something special to lift them back up.  With all the recent attacks on education and educators and negative perception of students, it is up to us to support, encourage, and inspire one another.

Glass Half Full

My most recent post was a contribution to the New Albany Schools website.  You may access it here.

There are a lot of awesome people at New Albany High School.  A single person can have a huge impact on school culture.  In this blog post, I introduce a just a few of these awesome Eagles.