Humbled: To lower someone or something in significance or importance.
I present the definition of the word for two reasons. First, it is a necessary backdrop to this newsletter entry. Second, it has become commonplace to state that you are humbled when earning an award, recognition, or accepting a new job. While commonplace, humbled is NOT the correct term in most of these situations.
Twenty-four months ago leaders in education, industry, politics, and every other arena were tossed in the proverbial deep end with the onset of COVID and since then most people have been running a marathon at a sprinter’s pace.
There have been many consequences. Some of the impacts of COVID have been amazing, such as increased collaboration and people stepping up to do amazing things. Many of them have not, however. At a short glimpse inside the conversations with many leaders it is clear that physical wellness (weight gain), substance abuse, increased reliance on prescriptions for health/anxiety/depression issues, and relationship strain has dramatically increased over the past two years.
Until very recently another thing had become a reality for me during that time; My sense of importance and the organization’s reliance on my efforts had been elevated. This did not manifest in terms of ego or hubris – instead in stress, pressure, and anxiety. I am glad that the last three weeks have allowed me to “recalibrate” in this sense.
The truth is that during the times of true crisis maybe my leadership was never more important, but two years in – I had never taken the time to question the elevated levels of pressure I had continued to place on myself.
Then, within about three weeks time, three different things occurred. I went on a much needed vacation with my entire family. Two co-workers were engaged. Two co-workers were diagnosed with serious health issues. The combination of these things were truly HUMBLING. These events helped me to realize that the importance and significance I was placing on my role at work was making me increasingly anxious and not adding any value to the organization.
The bottom line is simple. We are more than who we are at work. Life is much bigger than the boardroom and the executive level decision-making table. In times of crisis, leaders must answer the bell. But leaders must also realize that when your autopilot becomes CRISIS, you are simply doing everyone a disservice. More importantly, the people you are most likely doing the biggest disservice to are the people you love and care about the most.
REFLECTIVE QUESTIONS TO GUIDE SOME THINKING
- How do you know when to move on from crisis-management mode and back into normal leadership activities?
- Are you a better version of yourself than you were 24 months ago? What can you learn from the ways you have grown and perhaps, from some of the ways you have stagnated or regressed?
- High achievers have a tendency to move the goalposts on themselves (always redefining success). Looking back on the past two years, what are you most proud of and should you have celebrated yourself and/or your organization more?
- How can you help other people move past the tyranny of the urgent and help them move forward with more important, consistent, and sustained work?
THE BEST THING I READ/WATCHED THIS WEEK
Honest Liars: TedX Talk – Cortney Warren
One of my favorite TED talks I stumbled back upon this week. It says some of the quiet things really loud. Worth the watch.
BLOG YOU SHOULD SUBSCRIBE TO
The Daily Coach
This blog is SOOOO good. I steal stuff from it all the time and at least two or three times per week something in the newsletter makes me stop and think for multiple minutes. And for me – the entire purpose of reading is to grow.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND ME
ON DEMAND – Manage Your Time or Time Will Manage You Book Study
ON DEMAND – Communications – MicroCredential Certification through Illinois Principals Association
SPEAKING-CONSULTING-CONFERENCES
March 15
ILASCD – Culture is Everything, Everything is Culture
Still booking events for summer and Opening Keynotes in August
MORE OF MY MUSINGS
Pushing Boundaries Podcast Episode 78 – We Spray to All Fields on This One
Interesting Interview in which we spray to all fields – Personal, Leadership, Education.
Thruue – The Great Re-Negotiation
Honored to be a small part of the research on the future of work alongside giants in leadership such as General McChrystal and others.
Writing
EdWeek – Common Sense Ways to Improve Evaluative Practices
For an observation to carry true meaning, it should result in some type of debrief between the teacher and observer. This, of course, would ideally be a face-to-face conversation. If the goal is to improve teacher performance, then an observation should result in a reflective conversation of substance.
Teach Better Team – So, You Want to Write a Book
A longer blog detailing what prospective authors should be considering as they enter into a prolific, but seldom discussed industry.
Edutopia – How School Leaders Can Build Realistic Optimism This Year
As part of cleaning off my plate, I forced myself to make a list of the five things that bring me the most joy in my job. The list included one-to-one meetings with my direct reports, proudly representing the district in different capacities, data talks, coaching my leadership team through difficult situations, and spending time investing in my board of education.
Then I intentionally rerouted my calendar for two weeks to dump as much joy—those five activities—into my day as possible. It worked.
What happened by default was that I spent less time on the distractions that were not only a time sink but also an emotional drain. It turns out the very loud minority of people who were making my job very difficult didn’t deserve the attention and cognitive space I was giving them.
Thanks for taking the time to read this newsletter.
It would mean the world to me if you could share it with one person each week. We all get one chance to live a life of passion and purpose. Help me maximize my one at-bat.