INSPIRE You and a group of friends are heading out for an impromptu lunch. As you're heading out, someone asks, "Where are we going?" followed by several others adding the obligatory "I don't care"s and "You decide"s. It's as if no one has any idea where to eat. Now imagine you speak up, sharing "Let's... Continue Reading →
11 Lessons from Ted Lasso that Will Make You a Better Leader
INSPIRE According to Ted Lasso's Twitter bio, he is: Father. Coach of @AFCRichmond. I have a real tricky time hearing folks that don't believe in themselves! And I would add: Inspiring Leader. While, like many others, I was immediately drawn into Season 1 with Ted's quick-witted charm and hilarious one-liners (not to mention the other... Continue Reading →
15 Ways to Lead from Anywhere
INSPIRE Being a leader is not only more than a title, it doesn't even need one. Excellent organizations have leaders everywhere and excellent people lead from where they are. Leaders don't wait for opportunities to arrive like a neatly packaged present on a doorstep. People who decide to be a leader, regardless of position, create... Continue Reading →
11 Ways Leadership Outlasts Authority
INSPIRE "Hey boss!" It's a greeting anyone on our team knows will make me cringe and it's now become a funny, friendly back and forth that predictably ends with me replying, "You know I don't like that title." The kind of pseudo leadership that depends on a "boss" title is the kind that, while possibly... Continue Reading →
A Year After – 7 Leadership Lessons Affirmed through Crisis
INSPIRE A year, almost to the day, after we'd all gathered around a Google Meet hearing the news that the Coronavirus had finally hit home. A year after we'd heard that we'd be doing something we'd never done before. A year after we'd shut our doors and shifted to who knew what for who knew... Continue Reading →
5 Questions that Separate the Hope Dealers from the Hope Stealers
INSPIRE Much attention is given to what constitutes a great leader. A quick google search will yield countless thoughts on the characteristics, habits, and attitudes of those leaders we hold in high regard. Among these lists you're sure to find qualities like integrity, courage, communication, a sense of humility, strong work ethic, and high emotional... Continue Reading →
Affirmation Station: Three Simple Ways to Create Positive Change
INSPIRE Want a simple way to change your behaviors and achieve your goals? How about an easy strategy that will connect and uplift others? Are you ready for a straightforward method that will strengthen your team? We're all looking for ways to quiet that nasty little voice of doubt in our head. The one whose... Continue Reading →
Fight Burnout One Staff Meeting Remix at a Time
INSPIRE Out for a run, I was listening intently to an episode of Work Life with Adam Grant, Burnout Is Everyone's Problem. Burnout is a topic that doesn't get enough attention and has, as a school leader and purpose-driven educator, always been a concern of mine. Having fought it both as a teacher and administrator... Continue Reading →
Lesson #3 of Leading through a Crisis: Be Creative
This is the third post in a three-part series. (See the first: Lesson #1 of Leading through a Crisis: Be Human and second post: Lesson #2 of Leading through a Crisis: Be Persistent.) INSPIRE Leading during normal times is challenging enough. Throw in a world-wide crisis and the stress to be effective and do what is... Continue Reading →
Lesson #2 of Leading through a Crisis: Be Persistent
This is the second post in a three-part series. (See the first: Lesson #1 of Leading through a Crisis: Be Human and third post: Lesson #3 of Leading through a Crisis: Be Creative.) INSPIRE Leading during normal times is challenging enough. Throw in a world-wide crisis and the stress to be effective and do what is right... Continue Reading →