As I write this blog, the Texas Rangers are winning 4-0 and UT is barely beating Baylor in football. By the way, did you know that the UMHB football team is currently ranked #4 in the country for Division III? Maybe we should attend one of their games as a group.
Now back to the academics-
This week, I finished reading 5 Minds for the Future. I found it to be a more challenging read (I think my head hurts), but it was filled with great insights. It reminded me a lot of A Whole New Mind, in fact, Gardner mentions this in his book.
I enjoyed learning more about the 5 Minds: the Disciplined Mind, the Synthesizing Mind, the Creating Mind, the Respectful Mind, and the Ethical Mind. However, I found the conclusion of the book to be especially insightful. Here, Gardner talks about the Resistances and Obstacles. As leaders who are learning about a lot of new ideas, our toughest challenge for lasting change in education may be some of the people we work with. These people are those who hold to Conservatism (we are doing fine with traditional education - why change?), Faddism (Why should we believe these five minds are any better than earlier ideas?), Hidden Risks (Perhaps excessive creativity will slip into anarchy), and Impotence (I don't know how to achieve these goals).
One key to overcoming these obstacles is timing. Sometimes we have to wait for the right time for people's hearts and minds to be open for a change. For example, it was only after our TAKS scores came back lower than expected when our teachers were ready to look at new and creative ways of teaching and collaborating.
Learning about the 5 minds is easy in theory, but will be more difficult to implement in practice.
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Invest Now!
For those keeping up with the books in our graduate program -
Are you starting to see some common themes?
We had the 6 senses in A Whole New Mind, learned about the Five Minds for the Future, were told the Six Secrets of Change, and let's not forget Transnational Leadership. This list will go on.
I would consider myself a "rookie" investor. I have been able to contribute to a variety of savings, retirement, and investment opportunities over the years. However, I discovered a secret that wasn't even stated as a secret in the The Six Secrets of Change. In the Secret One chapter, Michael Fullan talks about a book titled Firms of Endearment which lists companies who make the cut as "FoEs". They are listed on page 29. After looking at the list, I realized not only are these companies successful, they are ones I have enjoyed doing business with in the past - Amazon, Costco, Google, Southwest, Whole Foods, etc.
What do all of these companies have in common? They all "endear themselves to stakeholders (customers, employees, investors, partners, and society)." They realize that loving the customer is important, but loving the employee is also vital to any change or long term success.
How does this translate for us as educational leaders? We must invest in all of our stakeholders, especially our teachers. We must focus on relationship building. We must help those we lead find purpose and meaning in their work. I am learning that the theories and strategies we seek to do this are found in the books we are reading and the relationships we are building within our cohort.
So do don't forget to invest in these "FoEs" companies now. You will need the extra money to pay off this degree in 3 years!
Are you starting to see some common themes?
We had the 6 senses in A Whole New Mind, learned about the Five Minds for the Future, were told the Six Secrets of Change, and let's not forget Transnational Leadership. This list will go on.
I would consider myself a "rookie" investor. I have been able to contribute to a variety of savings, retirement, and investment opportunities over the years. However, I discovered a secret that wasn't even stated as a secret in the The Six Secrets of Change. In the Secret One chapter, Michael Fullan talks about a book titled Firms of Endearment which lists companies who make the cut as "FoEs". They are listed on page 29. After looking at the list, I realized not only are these companies successful, they are ones I have enjoyed doing business with in the past - Amazon, Costco, Google, Southwest, Whole Foods, etc.
What do all of these companies have in common? They all "endear themselves to stakeholders (customers, employees, investors, partners, and society)." They realize that loving the customer is important, but loving the employee is also vital to any change or long term success.
How does this translate for us as educational leaders? We must invest in all of our stakeholders, especially our teachers. We must focus on relationship building. We must help those we lead find purpose and meaning in their work. I am learning that the theories and strategies we seek to do this are found in the books we are reading and the relationships we are building within our cohort.
So do don't forget to invest in these "FoEs" companies now. You will need the extra money to pay off this degree in 3 years!
Monday, October 18, 2010
A Whole New Peace of Mind
After three days of classes, I am mentally exausted. However, I am spiritually refreshed. I enjoyed the conversations we had in all three classes. I especially enjoyed the presentations on Transformational Leadership, Leading with Soul, and A Whole New Mind.
It is true that each one of us will get out of the classes what we put into them. I would say the investment has been significant, and the reward has been great. I have been able to take something from each presentation that I can apply to my own work place.
I loved the Kiva tribal style of presentation in Dr. Vasik's class. Not only did I learn a new way to present how to have a meeting, I also learned the difference between Transformational Change and Transformational Leadership. The Leading with Soul presentation reminded me of the importance of taking the time to reflect daily. The benefits of a quiet time with God are many. The Whole New Mind presentation helped everyone focus on the right-brained skills needed to be successful in school and in today's workforce. The key to success with be the ability to build relationships with others and to use the six senses (design, story, symphony, empathy, play, and meaning) in order to teach others about these important skills.
Once again, it is an honor to work with each one of my professors and classmates. There is strength in numbers and peace in our relationships with each other through Jesus Christ.
It is true that each one of us will get out of the classes what we put into them. I would say the investment has been significant, and the reward has been great. I have been able to take something from each presentation that I can apply to my own work place.
I loved the Kiva tribal style of presentation in Dr. Vasik's class. Not only did I learn a new way to present how to have a meeting, I also learned the difference between Transformational Change and Transformational Leadership. The Leading with Soul presentation reminded me of the importance of taking the time to reflect daily. The benefits of a quiet time with God are many. The Whole New Mind presentation helped everyone focus on the right-brained skills needed to be successful in school and in today's workforce. The key to success with be the ability to build relationships with others and to use the six senses (design, story, symphony, empathy, play, and meaning) in order to teach others about these important skills.
Once again, it is an honor to work with each one of my professors and classmates. There is strength in numbers and peace in our relationships with each other through Jesus Christ.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Leading with Trolls
I have read lots of good books lately and I am trying to put it all together. Every time I read another book, I have a slightly new perspective on leadership and on life. Up this week, The Speed of Trust.
I find that often the most difficult part of my job as an administrator is not working with the kids, but working with adults, specifically teachers. It's been about 7 years now since I was in the classroom teaching math. I remember some of the challenges I faced - trying to motivate the unmotivated, continuous directives from above, and those "clueless" administrators. Of course, now I have a different perspective. It reminds me of what thought about my parents when I was young (uncool, out-of-touch, etc.) and what I know about their wisdom now.
I must admit, right now, I have wonderful relationships with most if not all my teachers. But it is hard work. I am constantly working on my relationships with each one of my staff members. One interesting dynamic -I am one of 4 males out about 90 people on campus. That doesn't matter, does it ? :) I believe relationships is one of the main themes that I read about in each book (It's definitely a part of FILA). It's not about the managing of stuff, it's about getting to know people - even if they are trolls.
For example, I have a few teachers that have been teaching since around 1863. Change is not in their vocabulary. The phrase "moving a mountain" comes to mind. They often appear unmotivated by new ideas and advances in technology. However, underneath that pink dress from the 60's and the blouse with the sewn on butterflies, is a person with heart. It is my job to get through to that heart and to find what inspires and motivates her.
So that's what I have been doing. I have been going into classrooms after school and just sitting and talking with my teachers - no particular topic - just whatever is on their mind. Maybe its the grandchildren or a recent death in the family. Maybe it is about the latest crossword puzzle or about what happened at church. What Bolman and Deal, Pink, and Sergiovanni write about is true. People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care.
Let's keep working on building those relationships!
Well, I think my next book will be Three Billy Goats Gruff.
I find that often the most difficult part of my job as an administrator is not working with the kids, but working with adults, specifically teachers. It's been about 7 years now since I was in the classroom teaching math. I remember some of the challenges I faced - trying to motivate the unmotivated, continuous directives from above, and those "clueless" administrators. Of course, now I have a different perspective. It reminds me of what thought about my parents when I was young (uncool, out-of-touch, etc.) and what I know about their wisdom now.
I must admit, right now, I have wonderful relationships with most if not all my teachers. But it is hard work. I am constantly working on my relationships with each one of my staff members. One interesting dynamic -I am one of 4 males out about 90 people on campus. That doesn't matter, does it ? :) I believe relationships is one of the main themes that I read about in each book (It's definitely a part of FILA). It's not about the managing of stuff, it's about getting to know people - even if they are trolls.
For example, I have a few teachers that have been teaching since around 1863. Change is not in their vocabulary. The phrase "moving a mountain" comes to mind. They often appear unmotivated by new ideas and advances in technology. However, underneath that pink dress from the 60's and the blouse with the sewn on butterflies, is a person with heart. It is my job to get through to that heart and to find what inspires and motivates her.
So that's what I have been doing. I have been going into classrooms after school and just sitting and talking with my teachers - no particular topic - just whatever is on their mind. Maybe its the grandchildren or a recent death in the family. Maybe it is about the latest crossword puzzle or about what happened at church. What Bolman and Deal, Pink, and Sergiovanni write about is true. People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care.
Let's keep working on building those relationships!
Well, I think my next book will be Three Billy Goats Gruff.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
A Whole New Mind
I have read a lot about the functions of the left side of the brain vs. the right side of the brain. I guess I would consider myself one who has focused more on left-brain activities to get the job done in the past. However, I have recently realized how much I use the right side of my brain. If you are in the education business, you work with people. Lots of people. I consistently help solve problems by talking with students, teachers, parents, community members, etc. The ability to use the 6 senses described in Pink's book is essential to being successful in my position as an administrator. At this moment, I would consider myself blessed to have a secure job that is meaningful to me. On the other hand, as educational leaders we must continue to develop our right-brained skills. Pink put it this way, "The first group of people who develop a whole new mind, who master high-concept and high touch abilities, will do extremely well. My challenge to my cohorts is to take time to practice the 6 senses by completing some of the activities in the portfolio section of each chapter.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)