3 Books You Need to Read for Leadership Self-Improvement — #readthisseries

3 Books You Need to Read for Leadership Self-Improvement — #readthisseries

by | Mar 15, 2020 | #readthisseries, Core Values, Daily Habits, Excellence, Feedback, Goal Setting, Leadership, Learning to Lead, Organizational Leadership, Principal Leadership, Service Leadership, Teacher Leadership

For the first time ever, we’re posting a written #readthisseries. We’re practicing social distancing so we didn’t get together to film. It’s a serious time for all of us, and we pray for our nation and everyone around the globe. As we follow and abide by recommended health practices, it’s an opportune time to read. Below you will discover our book recommendations on the topic of self-improvement–something we’re covering all month long. It’s moments like this, when we are facing a true emergency, that we need to be at our best.

Our first book on self-improvement is one of our own, Passionate Leadership. This book is filled with real people, doing great work across the country. Some of these stories and situations are quite emotional. We outline several self- and organizational improvement strategies, including the concept of evolving from a teaching culture (a culture where the goal is to impart information on others) to a learning culture (a culture where the goal is for everyone to learn and grow together. In a learning culture, you’re in self-improvement mode all of the time. Check it out. You can buy it here.

Our second recommendation is Tribe of Mentors by Tim Ferriss. The subtitle is “short life advice from the best in the world.” The book is anything but short, coming in at nearly 600 pages, but it’s packed with precisely the way that top performers self-improve to be their best. Find it here. 

Our final recommendation, what we call the Mac-Daddy of all self-improvement books, is Daring Greatly by Brene Brown. Even though we haven’t been able to get in touch with Brene to interview her for our #onethingseries, we still feel strongly that her books are great. This one will change your life. If we all acted with the vulnerability to actually self-improve, not only would we change ourselves, but the whole world would change as well. Get it here. 

If you’re at home because of social distancing, use some of this time to read. Let us know what you think of these three books or just give us a shout about what you’re reading to learn to lead better and grow faster. 

Last thing, the first person to contact us via Twitter, using #readthisseries, will receive a copy of Passionate Leadership. All you have to do is tweet, “I am a passionate leader” and we’ll send you a copy. 

Joe & T.J.

 

The Three Minute Challenge: Bring Your Goal to Life with 3 Simple Steps — #TheThreeMinuteChallenge #NoExcuses2020

The Three Minute Challenge: Bring Your Goal to Life with 3 Simple Steps — #TheThreeMinuteChallenge #NoExcuses2020

by | Jan 15, 2020 | #TheThreeMinuteChallenge, Communication, Daily Habits, Education, Focus, Fulfillment, Goal Setting, Leadership, Learning to Lead, Results, Teacher Leadership

The thing about goals is that living without them is a lot more fun, in the short run. It seems to me, though, that the people who get things done, who lead, who grow and who make an impact…those people have goals. ~ Seth Godin

Every second of the day, our minds are bombarded with thoughts, images, feelings, smells…you name it. At times, we can feel like a Dyson vacuum, collecting everything that is even remotely within our path. As humans, unlike machines, we are luckily gifted with the unique ability to rapidly sift through all of that stuff, and, unconsciously, we ignore most of it. This allows us to focus in ways that keep us grounded.

But even given this innate ability, we must remind ourselves of our purpose. Even though we don’t change direction because of every distraction that comes our way, they are abundant, and we can fall prey to their lure. This is why we need to pay credence to a single goal, almost memorializing what we want to achieve in each moment. The best way to do this is by writing your goal down in words and keeping it with you at all times.

Writing your goal down achieves three basic purposes:

  1. The act of transferring the goal from your mind to paper requires you to engage with the idea and refine it. This will add clarity to what you really want to achieve.
  2. By having the goal in your possession, it allows you to read the goal throughout the day. Eventually, this will help your mind focus on what you really deem important, rather than being subject to every sensory stimulation. Reading it once in the morning and once at night is the least that you must do.
  3. Writing the goal down is the very first physical act of manifesting what you really want to achieve. Goals require action. Writing is the first physical action that you take toward the reality of your future success in attaining the goal.

The Phases of Success Through Goal Setting

Avoid the desire to skip this critical step. Having your goal nestled comfortably in your mind is not enough. Our thoughts are too plentiful and your goal will eventually drown in the noise. Bring it to life, write it down.

The Three Minute Challenge

Use the next three minutes to take an action step toward your goals.

Phase 2: Bring It to Life

  1. Write your goal down in words. You can use your phone, a journal, or a 3×5 card. We prefer 3×5 cards with only one big goal written on it.
  2. Bring your goal with you wherever you go. If it’s in your phone, that’s a no-brainer, but if you use a journal, take the journal with you in your bag or briefcase. One reason that we like the 3X5 card is that you can keep it in your pocket.
  3. Refer to your goal several times throughout the day. The morning and evening are a minimum. The difference between a goal-setter and a goal-getter is how often she refers to her goal throughout the day. Read your goal as often as possible.

Technical Tip: Just like the physical aspects of writing your goal down, speaking it into existence is powerful as well. Whether you are talking to yourself or referring to your goal in a conversation with another person, say your goal aloud. When the universe listens to your goal, and you, in turn, hear yourself say it, it’s much more likely to become real.

Reach out and share your story with us.

Stay tuned for more challenges, reflection questions, leadership models, podcasts, and more by following dereka206.sg-host.com. It’s our job to curate, synthesize, and communicate so that you can lead better and grow faster. In a world plagued by nothing but noise, we help you by getting to simple.

TheSchoolHouse302 is about getting to simple by maximizing effective research-based strategies that empower individuals to lead better and grow faster.

Joe & T.J.

One Thing Series: Getting Results w/ Fred Stuvek — #onethingseries

One Thing Series: Getting Results w/ Fred Stuvek — #onethingseries

by | Jan 12, 2020 | #onethingseries, Core Values, Daily Habits, Decision-Making, Goal Setting, Learning to Lead, Podcast, Results, Teamwork

Fear has killed more dreams than anything. ~ Fred Stuvek

Fred Stuvek Jr. has achieved extraordinary success in diverse realms. Born in West Virginia and raised in Pennsylvania, he has been inducted into the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame for achievements in football, basketball, baseball, and track.

He graduated from the United States Naval Academy, after lettering three years as quarterback for the Midshipmen. After service as a Naval Officer, he transitioned to the business world where he has held senior leadership positions in private and public companies, both domestically and internationally.

Fred’s key successes include an international medical imaging start-up that led to a successful IPO, and forming a private medical services company, which he subsequently sold. From the playing field to the war room to the board room, his leadership and accomplishments have given him a distinct perspective and a results-oriented mindset.

His interview with TheSchoolHouse302 is intense, direct, and filled with effective takeaways for any leader who is trying to reach their goals in 2020 and beyond.

  • Listen to what he says about the importance of belief, mindset, confidence, and success. And he reads our blog!
  • He acknowledges that it’s important to follow a diverse group of leaders to get information from a number of avenues. He follows the hashtags #leadership, #management, and #learning.
  • You can’t miss what he says about being open to feedback.
  • He talks about the fact that growth is not static. He wants his book to be used for leadership development and training. Don’t miss our #readthisseries, we’re going to give away three of Fred’s books.
  • His thoughts on getting out of your comfort zone and stretching yourself are priceless. His career pivots are inspiring.
  • Lastly, you can’t miss his views on not having all the answers as a leader.

Fred’s interview uncovers the powerful insight in getting results, achieving your goals, following key principles of leadership, and much much more.

Please follow, like, and comment. Use #onethingseries and #SH302 so that we can find you. For more great leadership content, follow dereka206.sg-host.com.

Joe & T.J.

Season 1, Episode 2 of FocusED with Guest Adam Welcome

Season 1, Episode 2 of FocusED with Guest Adam Welcome

by | Jan 9, 2020 | #FocusED, Action, Communication, Core Values, Culture, Daily Habits, Decision-Making, Education, Energy, Engagement, Excellence, Focus, Goal Setting, Leadership, Learning to Lead, Listening, Mental Mapping, Motivation, Organizational Leadership, Positivity, Principal Leadership, Principals, Professional Dialogue, Reflect, Relationships, Resilience, Service Leadership, Teacher Leadership, Teamwork

SoundCloud Podcast
iTunes Podcast

This is Season 1, Episode 2 of FocusED, and it features guest, Adam Welcome, with a focus on his book, Kids Deserve It. It was originally recorded live for a studio audience in Delaware, and you can’t miss Adam’s candor about what needs to change in our schools. You’ll hear his challenge that “most things don’t get done, because most things don’t get started” and much, much more. 

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Meet Our FocusED Guest Adam Welcome

Adam has been a teacher, Principal, Director of Innovation for a district with 35,000 students and enjoys pushing the envelope to always do what’s best for kids!

Adam was Principal of the Year for his region, a 20 To Watch for the National School Board Association, guest blogger for EdWeek, NAESP magazine, and many other publications. Adam also consults and works with many education companies as a way to improve their product for others!

Adam is passionate about technology integration with all educators and a huge advocate of social media and connecting with other educators from across the country. Adam makes it clear that kids come first and has preached the message of Team Kid for many years.

He is also the co-founder of Kids Deserve It, the author of Run Like a Pirate and Empower Our Girls.

Adam has an amazing wife and two young children that keep life at home exciting and active. Adam also loves to run and has completed 29 marathons.

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Thanks for listening to FocusED, an educational leadership podcast brought to you by TheSchoolHouse302 @ dereka206.sg-host.com. 

FocusED is your educational leadership podcast where our mission is to dissect a particular focus for teachers and school leaders so that you can learn to lead better and grow faster in your school or district with more knowledge, better understanding, and clear direction on what to do next. 

Each episode we invite expert guests to join us for a live recording of the podcast, which happens in Delaware. All Delaware educators are invited to attend.

Don’t forget to like, share, and follow. You can always get more by following dereka206.sg-host.com.

The Three Minute Challenge: Bring Your Goal to Life with 3 Simple Steps — #TheThreeMinuteChallenge #NoExcuses2020

The Three Minute Challenge: Minding Your Emotions to Set Your One Big Goal in 2020 — #TheThreeMinuteChallenge #NoExcuses2020

by | Jan 8, 2020 | #TheThreeMinuteChallenge, Decision-Making, Excellence, Fulfillment, Goal Setting, Learning to Lead, Passion, Positivity

#NoExcuses2020

My goals are so high that I don’t have any time to relax in any way, shape, or form. ~ Kevin Hart

Life should be an incredible adventure, filled with spectacular moments. The life that we create for ourselves is not something that we should leave to chance, but rather one that should be pursued with persistence and hard work in order to achieve true happiness. We all have tons of things that we want to accomplish throughout life, and rightfully so.There is always an amazing sense of personal fulfillment when we grow. When we take the steps to see ourselves through the phases of goal attainment, we seek and reach new heights.

But, not every goal has to be as great as climbing to the peaks of Mount Everest. It can be as simple as working to be the very best parent for your child this weekend. Or, getting to a point of organization in our home or business office. The point is that reaching goals make us feel better in life and work. And, often our goals focus on conquering our inner-selves. We all have internal “mountains” to climb as well as the external goals that we want to achieve.

Regardless of what you want to accomplish this week, this month, or this year, there is power in identifying a single goal on which you plan to focus all of your efforts today, right now. Of course, over the time-span of this year, #NoExcuses2020, you may want to do more and be more. But, to be successful in any area, especially those that can feel elusive at times, requires incredible effort and focus. It means that we need to target one important goal at a time. And, it means that we need to address our emotional state before anything else is possible. This is Phase One of our goal setting model.

The Phases of Success Through Goal Setting

Avoid the tendency to try and set more than one goal. Remember, this is a goal that you have a deep desire to achieve, one that scares you just enough to create an unsettling feeling within you. It should be something that has been gnawing at you for whatever reason; you’ve been avoiding the required effort to make it a reality. Start with Phase One by taking The 3 Minute Challenge.

The Three Minute Challenge

Phase 1: Set One Big Important Goal

There are a few critical steps to identifying one big important goal. You have to take the time in this process to generate the emotional gravity that is equal to the desired achievement.

  1. Identify one goal that you are truly passionate about that you want to achieve this year. Tell yourself why this goal is important to you and the impact it will have when you are successful.
  2. Identify the 5-7 emotions that you feel when you think about the goal. What does it feel like to take the leap? Write them down.
  3. Find a cool, quiet place to relax and envision yourself pursuing the goal. What situations do you find yourself in during your pursuit? Imagine each scenario as you reach your destination, achieving the goal.

Technical Tip: One of the biggest differences between goal-setting and goal-getting is in the way we handle our emotions. When you write down your 5-7 emotions that you feel whenever you think about your one big goal, try turning all of them into positive emotions. For example, if you feel “anxious,” tell yourself that you’re “excited” instead. “Fear” can become “ calculated risk” and “lost” can become “opportunity.”

Reach out and share your story with us.

Stay tuned for more challenges, reflection questions, leadership models, podcasts, and more by following dereka206.sg-host.com. It’s our job to curate, synthesize, and communicate so that you can lead better and grow faster. In a world plagued by nothing but noise, we help you by getting to simple.

TheSchoolHouse302 is about getting to simple by maximizing effective research-based strategies that empower individuals to lead better and grow faster.

Joe & T.J.

#TheThreeMinuteChallenge: Over-Prescribed Recommendations

#TheThreeMinuteChallenge: Over-Prescribed Recommendations

by | Oct 16, 2019 | #TheThreeMinuteChallenge, Creativity, Engagement, Feedback, Goal Setting, Leadership, Learning to Lead, Listening, Long-Term Decision-Making, Motivation, Principal Leadership

Creativity Chart

The moment you feel the need to tightly manage someone, you’ve made a hiring mistake. ~ Jim Collins

Getting stuck in the rut of tightly wound management techniques is easy for leaders to do. When a leader desires a specific outcome or things begin to go awry, emotions quickly take over. Fear of failure, limited confidence in oneself or the team, and overly high expectations can manifest in over-prescribing recommendations versus unleashing the talent in your department. You might aim to hire very creative people, but if you squelch their input, you also significantly diminish their output.

The fact is that all of us can fall into the routines of a micromanager. The minute something seems to go wrong, take too long, or seems far too gone, it’s easy to want to step-in and take over. We allow our emotions to govern our actions. Rather than being guided by sound leadership practices, we manage too tightly and our actions work in the short-term by simply accomplishing a task rather than keeping sight of the bigger vision. The problem is that these low level leadership responses will always crush creativity. Anytime you find yourself micromanaging people, or even taking on the work of a teammate (or subordinate), you’re replacing any of their ideas with your own. Doing so will only erode trust, a social construct between two people that can take years to build but minutes to break.

The only antidote to over-prescribing your directions, orders, and opinions is to create teams where collaboration is expected and the vision is clear. In fact, when teams are empowered through an acceptance of diverse thinking and psychological safety, they do more and faster.

Challenge Yourself–TPA: A Framework for Growth Through Reflection

Think - Plan - Act

Think: Are our projects assigned to teams or individuals? Are our teams diverse and inclusive so that we capitalize on new and creative perspectives? Are people free to express their opinions in a safe environment? As the leader, do I manage the people or the teams too closely?

Be a visionary, not a contributor.

Plan: List the current teams (or individuals) who are assigned to your various initiatives. Plan to add new people or new structures to the project management phase of the work so that you gain maximum creativity from the group. Then step away and appoint only one person to report back the findings and solutions to you.

Too much of your feedback to too many people creates confusion.

Act: Ask for feedback. The more you ask for feedback, the better people will get at giving it to you. Start with a trusted colleague and be direct. Don’t just ask for their reaction to your leadership. Use sentence stems, like “Where do you see me micromanaging?” Or “Where do we have limited creative output?”

Give space and time for a response. Act now.

Stay tuned for more challenges, reflection questions, leadership models, podcasts, and more by following dereka206.sg-host.com. It’s our job to curate, synthesize, and communicate so that you can lead better and grow faster. In a world plagued by nothing but noise, we help you by getting to simple. TheSchoolHouse302 is about getting to simple by maximizing effective research-based strategies that empower individuals to lead better and grow faster. Joe & T.J.