Leadership Moment

Leadership Moment

“Thank you for being a big part in creating an environment of safety and stimulation, inspirations, etc. I think some call that LEADERSHIP!” Mat (former BOE President)

Let the fire burn inside. For me, it was sparked, ignited, and churned into a raging passion. If you need someone to stir the ashes, then look in the mirror. Your leadership ability is dependent on a lot of factors, mainly, your effort. If you accept your role as a leader and you work hard to make yourself better, then the people around you will take your lead. More importantly, your organization will get better. Most importantly, our children will become leaders, and they are 100% of our future.

The first edition of this book was created because of a pivotal leadership moment at a national conference with 1,500 other educators. The reaction to the stories and accomplishments of our school initiated a feeling that could not previously be summed up in a sentence. What we do as leaders and educators could now be described as unconditional leadership. I wanted to capture the synergy of the moment and retell the story to inspire other great leadership moments. My rough draft became the outline for 50 Great Things Leaders Do, a connection of theory, history, and stories from our organization and the many people that inspired “Creating a place where everyone wants to be.”  

The irony of a chance meeting or a minute to connect with another human being have changed my outlook and the destinies of those people. I’ve always been intrinsically motived. Inspiration has found me in my career as an educator and difference maker. Life experiences have allowed me the empathy and passion to pay forward opportunities to inspire people to go beyond where they thought possible.

You do not have to define a leadership moment by being on the verge of a disaster. You do not have to invent a wonder drug or rally your team to a Super Bowl victory. You do not even have to climb the highest mountain peak in the world during adverse conditions to experience greatness. You may not have to solve any of the world’s major problems, but you can be on the cusp of inspiring the next generation of great leaders that will contribute to the aforementioned events. And anyone who thinks teaching is easy has never been a teacher. Anyone who thinks being a parent is easy has never been a parent.

When you work together to create an environment where everyone feels connected, the real winners are all the stakeholders, and in a school it includes the kids at the forefront! So go out and make a difference in the world around you but first, start with yourself!

I’ll leave you with this thought provoking card written prior to an exit interview from a retiring teacher:

“It is with myriad of emotions and a little bit of fear that I inform you of my intention to retire this year.

To say the last few years have changed in education is moot. However, my personal life has been so richly crafted by the wonderful (and some not so wonderful) students, but the most amazing staff-team-professionals that we call “staffulty” at Belhaven. It is incredible that in this tiny geographical district that there be so much magnetic collection of creativity, inspiration, leadership, spirit, and visions in so many dynamic individuals.

To say I have been enriched is just so lame, but I am missing the words in this emotional god-bye. There would never be an easy way to share this with you, who have been our “fearless leader, friend, and colleague” at Belhaven, and me personally because you care so vastly and deeply for Belhaven’s Mission.

May God continue to grow your passion, and its light of leadership where you take it and generously shine on those who will continue on the path with you.

Thank you for soooooooooooooo very much.

Sandi (retiring teacher)”

 “You inspire me because you smile at me, I smile at someone else, and maybe that person has never gotten a smile that day! What goes around, comes around. You helped me by giving me a boost every day and actually make me want to go to school. Thanks again for always making every day a great day!”

Chickenship or Eagleship, you decide!

(“I never ate eagle wings for dinner.” - Rudnesky)