my version of transparent, collaborative leadership...with a Teamann twist

To be known or to be impressive? #2020oneword

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Twitter is so fun. We have a new-ish pastor. He’s been around now for about a year, but we attend a satellite church, so I’ve actually never met him. We are always entertained and moved through his message though. He also has been fantastic to follow and learn along with through the twitters.  It’s developed a “connection” from afar, and even just that tenuous of one, makes me feel more plugged into his sermons/messages.

While scrolling, I came across this tweet the other day and it made me pause.

 

Just through a quick read, I thought well that’s silly. Can’t I can be super impressed with people I know? I know some pretty impressive people after all… (coughTroycough)

He, so graciously, responded…and I just can’t stop thinking about how very much of THIS KIND of leader I want to be.

 

 

This is why I’m so transparent in my failures and the mistakes I’ve made as a leader. (#thefirstyear, just as a reminder.)

It’s also why I’m so anti “cotton candy leadership”. The notion that our jobs are all about riding tricycles or how giving up our offices is the right & easy thing to do…just kills me. Our jobs are hard! (and amazing and rewarding and filled with the VERY best of lil’people!!) but also, HARD.

Recognizing the multifaceted role that we are charged with…never letting any of those balls drop…being able to be SEEN in the role…means more to me than being impressive. It’s recognizing that sometimes it’s more important to let people see the struggle than just to assume the success. Otherwise its a misrepresentation of the MOST important things we do…change lives.

 

It means being KNOWN. Sharing the good, the bad, the struggles. Sharing the flaws and the failures…always being real.

And being ok with it.

 

My word for #2020 is going to be “known”. To be seen for #allthethings, not just the high light reel that is traditionally shared. (Although, let’s be honest, I’m not really that kinda girl anyway. )

 

Thanks for the nudge, JH! I look forward to ACTUALLY meeting you, 🙂

 

2020 ready &

 

Self care for principals…it should be a priority!

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We’re closing out October. You know…the month with 5,000 events and what feels like just as many days? The first armpit of the school year?

That October.

Recognizing that self care is probably at the bottom of your to do list (as it was originally on mine!) I decided I needed a way to make it a priority! Carving out time for yourself, whether you are a teacher or a leader, is crucial. We’re about to enter TWO important busy months where the focus is easily on those around us. The cliche line of not being able to pour from an empty bucket is a true one, friends. It’s important to remember that you need to take care of you, because honestly, as the leader, that’s not on the tip tops of your coworker’s minds. You make the big bucks remember? You’re usually the one care for those all around you!

My principal BFF Melinda Miller and I included a chapter in “Lead with Appreciation”How can you #LeadWithAppreciation? just on self-care. You have the seasonal ups and downs that our teachers do as well. The intentionality of taking care of yourself is just as relevant for you as it is for your staff/students. Self care isn’t just a trendy topic when it comes to SEL and our staff emotional well being. Burnout is a REAL thing. The pressure of our position is a REAL thing. 

“Self love is asking yourself what you need – every day – and then making sure you receive it.” – Unknown

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Sounds cute and fun, right? The last thing I have time for in the upcoming months is to add one more thing to my todo list, much less something that requires energy and effort to think and plan, right? But…putting ourselves first IS a necessity. And although our lives might seem crazy hectic enough, taking the time to care for ourself is going to aid in the effectiveness of you helping others. Even if it’s something as simple as…one of these ideas! I’ve created a 30 day “Principal Priority” idea checklist that I will be using in November. There are 30 days and here are 30 ideas! Most are free and easy…and all with the idea that you, admin, principal, or leaders of tiny humans, need to take a few minutes each day just for yourself.

 

How can you make self care a priority this month?

(Download your PDF to check off with me here!)

 

Is it possible to do a great job…in all the places and in all the ways- without sacrificing who we are or our sanity? I would certainly hope so. I do know, for a fact, that when I am able to carve out time to do things on the weekends, that I just do for the enjoyment of doing them, that Monday rolling around isn’t nearly as stressful. Self care can be as simple as adopting the mindset that within each day there should be something that makes your physical or mental health a priority. Not that means we can’t have ambitions! (Hello, #ennegram3 here!) It means that we realize for every yes we say to others, we potentially are saying no to ourselves and those who matter. We want to be the yes girl, or the I can do it all guy…but the reality is for the long term that is unrealistic.

Burnout can lead to poor decision making, stretched relationships, and tense campus culture. Nobody wants to work with (or for!) someone who forgets what it means to put themselves first. Being mindful of putting yourself first is the first step in trying to achieve that elusive balance we all seek!

Put YOU on your to-do list!

Allow yourself to put YOU on the todo list. I purposely didn’t pick specific “days” on that above chart because some of these ideas are perfect for the weekends and some are great for a random Monday where you need a smile.  Bottom line, we all need to make time to care for ourselves. Being able to do little things for ourselves is going to improve everything from our social interactions to our productivity. And which of those don’t we all need?

It’s ok to love yourself enough to try and balance out meeting the needs of those around you with your needs.

Click To Tweet

That doesn’t make you selfish, it makes you self aware!

 

Calendar checking &

 

 

 

 

PS: Melinda Miller and I put a whole chapter on self care in our recent book “Lead with Appreciation”, if you’re looking for more ideas and context, you can buy your copy here!

October wearing you out? Here’s a fun freebie to encourage!

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Is it me, or is October 5,000 days long?

Feels like it, I’m telling ya!

 

Parent conferences, expectations setting in, data, assessments…feels like there is a little bit of everything we do, crammed into this month. There’s a reason we call this the first armpit of the school year. It’s when the honeymoon is over and our reality has set in. Thanksgiving seems really far away, and it’s all crashing down around us.

Just in case your team needs a boost like I feel like mine might, here’s an easy way to brighten a day. I’m throwing this into mailboxes as hopefully an acknowledgment that not only am I feeling it too but that there is an end in sight!

 

Attach it to a chapstick, and there ya go! Packs are cheap at the Walmart, or you can order from Amazon.

 

Download your copy here!

(Chapstick can be ordered from Amazon in bulk here!)

 

 

10 more days…we can do this!

 

Paddling &

How can you #LeadWithAppreciation?

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Oh friends. It’s officially been a year since Melinda Miller and I signed our contract with Dave Burgess Publishing and committed to sharing our message with whoever wanted to listen.

It was a year of writing, rereading, and more writing.

I opened a HUGE BOX OF BOOKS WITH MY NAME ON THEM TODAY and it all became worthwhile!

It was a pretty surreal feeling.

 

Our amazon blurb:

Make Your Campus a Place Where People Want to Work

Positive recognition and appreciation can transform your school from a place where people have to work into one where they want to work and enjoy bringing their best every day. And that transformation starts with the leader!

Your staff pours time and energy into learners every single day. As a busy PIRATE leader, you know that even the best crews need the direction of a great captain. But what does that look like? And how can you provide meaningful recognition and encouragement when your schedule is full and your budget is limited?

 

You can order your copy here, Lead with Appreciation: Fostering a Culture of Gratitude.

 

As a book bonus, take a selfie with your copy and tag either Melinda or I on any form of social media you’re connected to us on, we’ll send you a fantastic book bonus! Fab February is an idea I’ve talked about here and is a month we spend a chunk of time on in the book. When you buy a copy of Lead with Appreciation: Fostering a Culture of Gratitude, you’ll get a “Book Bonus”  specifically created to help you and your staff kick-off Fabulous February. These ideas are designed to make the month of February more fun than exhausting!

What’s Included:

  •  4 different calendars
    • Wonderful Wednesdays: Maybe Wednesdays are the best days of the week for your staff. Add just enough to get past hump day.
    • Fabulous Foodie Fridays in February: End the week with “snackie snacks” as I would say!
    • Fabulous February OOTD! (Outfit Of The Day.) Give your staff a break from official work clothes.
    • Thirsty Thursdays in February. This is a drink themed week that can be as easy as four water bars or Sonic Happy Hour breaks.
  • Social Media Images
    • Editable images (with examples)
    • Ready to use images

 

We can’t wait for you to read and hopefully LOVE this resource!

 

Appreciatively and