Category Archives: Leadership

Losing Their Voices

The bonds that exist between educators and families in small towns are unmatched in larger metropolitan cities. The tenures are more stable and a faculty’s community connections are as deep as family ties . It was 1983. Mrs. Doyle watched us file into her classroom as she clutched a handful of worksheets behind her back.Continue reading “Losing Their Voices”

Grand Opening, Grand Closing

A writer must reflect and interpret his society, his world; he must also provide inspiration and guidance and challenge…One role of the writer today is to sound the alarm. E.B. White on the role and responsibility of the writer. This was to be our first year with a set of triplets in our school. HavingContinue reading “Grand Opening, Grand Closing”

Principals on the Prayer Line

Analytical psychologist Carl Jung introduced the concept of ‘synchronicity’ in the 1920’s as the principle of “meaningful coincidences”. Nothing that occurs in our complex lives is an accident. Events that have no causal relationship are meaningfully related. My most recent experience with synchronicity occurred as I joined a conference call with fellow principals in ourContinue reading “Principals on the Prayer Line”

The Lost Art of Diplomacy

One of the best lessons I learned during the first months of my principalship was that diplomacy matters. In a life of service, verbal assaults become par for the course. Think Jackie Robinson. Think MLK. Think Barack Obama. Are you able to rise above the rumors, the attacks and accusations and focus on the work?Continue reading “The Lost Art of Diplomacy”

Chapter 8: Be Coachable

{The following is an excerpt from the forthcoming book, The Mountain Principles:  28 Lessons on Leading and Learning} Be coachable, reflective and resilient in your work so that you can continue to sharpen your skillset. Years ago, while working as a curriculum coordinator, I was tasked with visiting the classrooms of social studies teachers andContinue reading “Chapter 8: Be Coachable”

The Art of No

Principle 28:  Learn to gracefully say no so that you can say yes when it matters the most.  Prioritize and don’t overcommit…just say  no. Harvard Business Review published an article in 2013 entitled “Nine Practices to Help You Say No”.  One of the best phrases in the article was “know your no”.  Know what thingsContinue reading “The Art of No”

The Elephant in the Room

Principle #28:  Confront the elephant in the room and get comfortable with being uncomfortable. Soundscape:  Wake Up by John Legend and the Roots There is an elephant in the room and it needs to be acknowledged.  We tend to ignore things that make us uncomfortable.  There are conversations with friends, family, and coworkers that needContinue reading “The Elephant in the Room”