Leadership
Leading well in turbulent times
The Neutral Zone According to William Bridges in his book, Transitions: The neutral zone is when the critical psychological realignments and re-patternings take place. It is the very core of the transition process. This is the time between the old reality and sense of identity and the new one. People are creating new processes and…
Read MoreCreating a Strong Governance Team
Transformative Board Development Start with the end in mind. – Stephen Covey A shift in thinking I started out to write about the details of onboarding new members – transactional – how to impose lots of new learning in a short period of time. But if our goal is to grow a strong governance team…
Read MoreLeading with motivation, inspiration and resilience
Resilient Leadership Its still challenge and churn and chaos out there, I know. Last week a colleague put it all in perspective for me. His district, like so many others, started the year with high hopes of returning to normal only to find a return to the chaos and churn of COVID impacts. Let me…
Read MoreResiliency, culture and belonging for hard times
Resiliency Books What have you learned since we last met? –Ralph Waldo Emerson Five years from now you will be the same as today but for the people you meet and the books you read. –Stanley “Tremendous” Jones Lately, my reading keeps coming back to the themes of resiliency, culture, and belonging. Here are a…
Read MoreAdaptive Thinking
Adaptive Thinking We continue to adapt our thinking around COVID. Just when we have it all figured out, something changes. In times of certainty we look for technical solutions. Now, in times of UNcertainty, we seek adaptive solutions. Here is a big picture look at Adaptive Thinking: Bay of Pigs: It was clear to his…
Read MoreAdaptive Leadership
Adaptive Leadership Our primary task as leaders is to keep hope alive … and keep moving toward our shared vision. Now, thanks to COVID, we once again (sigh) need to remain agile and adaptive to uncertain times. AND we need our leadership team right there beside us … renewing hope … remaining flexible and help…
Read MoreAdaptive Messaging
Adaptive Messaging Communicate Hope: Leaders communicate hope and energy even in the midst of uncertainty. Some on our staff are hurting from loss. Others are fearful for their safety. And some are opposed to vaccines and masks. How do we as leaders fill everyone’s bucket … so they in turn … can fill student buckets? …
Read MoreLeadership Voice
Leadership Voice … in support of racial equity “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” This quote likely comes from John Stuart Mill’s inaugural address in 1867. “Let not any one pacify his conscience by the delusion that he can do no harm if he takes no…
Read MoreGreat Ideas – Federal Way – Board of the Year
An Interview with Dr. Tammy Campbell … Federal Way Supt … Board of the Year 2020 The Federal Way Public School’s Board of Directors was named Board of the Year for 2020 by the Washington State School Directors Association AND recognized as a school of distinction for five years in a row. They were recognized…
Read MoreMichelle Reid: National Superintendent of the Year
An Interview with Michelle Reid, National Superintendent of the Year: Recognized for Northshore’s focus on Educational Justice Congratulations, Michelle, on your recognition as AASA National Superintendent of the Year, for 2021. You and your Northshore team have done great work. Thank you for sharing your hard won wisdom, successes and lessons learned along the way.…
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