Leadership
Always Better
“Throughout my athletic career, the overall goal was always to be a better athlete than I was at that moment – whether next week, next month or next year. The improvement was the goal. The medal was simply the ultimate reward for achieving that goal.” Sebastian Coe, Middle-distance runner and two-time Olympic goal medal winner. …
Read MoreUnleashing
“People don’t need to be managed, they need to be unleashed.” Richard Florida Imagine what could happen if you, your peers, your supervisors were unleashed? Experience the whoosh of positive energy that will move through your school, your office, your classroom, your community when people are relieved of the external constraints that hold them hostage…
Read MorePutting the Function Back into Dysfunctional Teams
Recently a superintendent friend was complaining about how one school board member harped endlessly about nickel and dime expenses, ignoring the legitimate needs of students and staff. It was driving her crazy! How could she get this school board refocused on what was truly important for education? She had been reading The Five Dysfunctions of…
Read MoreICF Competencies Facilitating Learning and Result
He was young to be an Assistant Principal, but had demonstrated great gifts in the classroom; thoughtful, intelligent, bursting with energy and dedication. The veteran principal new to the building understood why her predecessor would promote someone with so much potential, yet the students and staff had great needs. She, and the school, would endure…
Read More10 Ways To Build Trust
One thing we know for sure – high levels of trust are necessary for high levels of performance! The research findings of Megan Tschannen-Moran clearly support this assertion. Coach leaders who have internalized this premise are intentional about employing trust-building strategies on a daily basis. Here are some ideas to get you started: Make relationships…
Read MoreThe Miracle and Exception Questions
Imagine this – you are talking with a colleague who is using the language of someone who is “stuck” or out of options for dealing with an issue or challenge. What should you do? Should you try to solve the issue or challenge for the person, or should you remain in a coach leader role and help…
Read MoreThe Transformative Power of Coaching Conversations
Coaching conversations are transformative and can completely change how people think and act. In fact, one of our recent coaching clients did just that. Rosa, an assistant principal, was charged by her principal to get their school’s bilingual teacher, Ed, to show up on time for work every day. Ed’s personnel file was overflowing with…
Read MoreIs Self-Regulation the Key to Human Performance?
David Rock, neuroleadership expert, recently said in a radio interview that “self-regulation is the key to human performance,” and that got me thinking. How do I self-regulate and what am I regulating? Hmm… My hunch is that before I can self-regulate, there is a call for clarity around what I want to do, have, or…
Read MoreResults Coaching – Strategies for Impacting Performance and Results
Recently I was visiting with a Superintendent about how he might continue to support his district leaders to achieve the ever increasing results while minimizing the frustration and over whelmed attitudes that can often be symptoms of high performing organizations. Because we know from neuroscience that pressure and stress often produces behaviors that are not…
Read MoreLearn to Manage Change or Be Overwhelmed By It
One thing is constant in 2011, and it is change. We are faced with a choice, learn to manage change or be overwhelmed by it. School leaders are not immune from this phenomenon. You are constantly being charged with leading all students and staff to perform at higher and higher levels. The future of our…
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