Posting on this blog will likey get easier and may even become something I enjoy. Being tech savy is not my strongest attribute. I'll learn and you will be able to see my gowth from week to week, I'm sure! Reading and writing about leadership, on the other hand, is a pleasure.
My dear friend and mentor, Sherry Miller, gave me the book Leading With Soul a number of years ago. She is most definitely a living example of the concepts of this book. As the cover states, it is an uncommon journey. I love that in our era of accountability, data driven decisions and high stakes testing that the idea of leading with soul remains a part of the process of learning and leading.
As a campus principal I am given the opportunity to remember every day that "Everyone is different. A big part of love is caring enough to find out what really matters to others" (p 85). I'm going to do an activity with our staff that I found in A Whole New Mind that creates an opportunity for faculty to learn the concerns, pressures and responsibilities of colleagues roles. People often think that no one is working as hard as they are, but really, until we have walked in those shoes, we don't know. We need to respect the work that each one does as just as significant and stressful as what we do. Why do we delight in being the most stressed? That's not a message I want to convey to my staff.
When dealing with parents, I think the quote mentioned above is important. Parents want their children to get a quality education. However, in most conferences that I sit in with upset parents the issue is personal. They feel someone didn't care enough, wasn't fair, didn't listen, didn't supervise, etc. They simply want to be heard and want us to care enough to love, listen, be fair, watch out for and yes, teach.
I wanted to be one of the first ones to comment on your blog. I am glad you got it up and going.
ReplyDeleteAs a fellow leader, I strive everyday to lead with soul. On the other hand, I wonder how some leaders go about their day without having a foundation strong in faith and/or a sense of purpose in life. It is during my most difficult and challenging times that I have to rely on my faith and the rejuvinating of my spirit in order to make it through.
It is easy to get caught up in the "urgent but not important" tasks when working at a school. After reading A Whole New Mind, I also plan on using some of the activities in the portfolio sections of the book with my staff. It is definitely time for everyone on the school to get to know each other a little better, have the freedom to empathize with others, and have fun working side by side. I think if some of these things happen more often, our school will build a stronger community where all the stakeholders will be more understanding of each other.
Donna, I am proud of you for sticking with it. You have had to work through some tough times lately, but your spirit is encouraging for me and the others in the cohort.
Great job with your blog, Donna! I have missed you, and look forward to catching up with you. If you need anything at all, please give me a call.
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