Category Archives: Actions

Things Leaders Should Not Say…

25 Friday Sep 2020

Posted by in Actions, Authentic, Culture, Education, Intentions, Leader, Leadership, Mandates, Purpose, Relationships, Servant, Teachers, Value

≈ 10 Comments

Remember growing up and hearing… “Do as I say, not as I do?” If it was not heard in your house, then you probably heard it somewhere else. Maybe there is a need for it while you are young and learn to be more mature with age, but when did you really take notice of the fact that “Do as I say, not as I do” phrase quit carrying value?

Better yet, let me drop this phrase on you… “Because I said so…” Heard that lately? The same questions from above can be asked here as well. How about this one… “You signed up for this…” or “Well, this is the way we are going to do it, and if you don’t like it…” One more, “We have always done it this way…”

Let’s look at it from an organizational perspective with leadership…

What is going on if you are hearing that from leadership in your work environment? Questions that quickly come to mind… What does it say about the culture of your work environment, and what is it saying about them, as a leader, directly?

As for culture, I believe that it is set by the group as a whole but is determined and sometimes developed by the expectations of leadership. To start, let me say that I believe culture is learned behavior until an agent of change comes in, or there is a paradigm shift. Too often, we forget that our culture is what we make it, not always what is mandated. However, if leadership is not abiding in and with the same parameters of their own expectations, then a disconnect is easily seen. Once it is seen, that disconnect creates breaks that has a hard time healing.

As for why a leader would have to say the above statements, well… Often leaders will say they operate on a different set of “rules.” Really? Different roles, yes, but rules? Nothing brings resentment to the boiling point quicker than a leader asking someone to do something they are not willing to do themselves, or stating they do not have to follow certain rules because they are in a position of leadership.

Last thought… What we say as leaders matter, how we actively live what we speak out matters even more—any saying that limits the originality or the why of your culture shows a mindset that is unwilling to grow, resentment will build, and relationships will suffer.

If a leader is having to say comments like these mentioned above or any others that come to your mind, then odds are they are very close to losing the culture, the respect, and, most of all, their leadership. They might still be in “charge,” but it is truly by title only. It might be due to their insecurities, knowing they really do not understand how to be a leader.

It would be interesting to hear from readers as to what you think leaders should not say… I bet we could get a pretty good running thread…

Go be a great educator and leader today… Our future needs it…

Remember… Think Leadership and Be For Others…

©2020 J Clay Norton

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Why you need to be an idealist educator right now…

21 Friday Aug 2020

Posted by in Actions, Attitude, Change, coronavirus, covid19, Education, Educational Leadership, Effective, Idealist, Leader, Leadership, Purpose, Relationships, Teachers, Whole

≈ 3 Comments

Regardless of how long you have been in education, I believe you fall into one of three categories… Idealist, Contented, or Disheartened (I will discuss the last two at a later date).

If there was ever a time for a need of quality education and educators, it is now (really all the time for that matter). You ask, why do I say that? Well, for starters, look at where we are with teaching and all that is going on with the current pandemic. Learning is in the form of… Zoom, virtual, digital, distance, hybrid, traditional, non-traditional, etc…

So, why idealist?

An idealist teacher is going to focus on the student while at the same time threading the curriculum into the lesson. Students are in a class for a brief period of time, and we really do not know where their mind wanders off to or even where it has been. But to engage a student in an environment that is inviting, where they enjoy the setting, creates an opportunity for success for both the teacher and the student.

Idealist teachers have vision. They see what is on the side, and they help pull a student’s imagination to reality. Classroom instruction becomes an invitation to students instead of a demand. Students have the opportunity to be part of “something” and possibly experience a deeper understanding of not only the material being taught but, more importantly, themselves.

I also believe that idealist teaching enables a student to become an idealist learner. Where lessons can educate the whole child instead of “just learn this now” mentality. Idealist teachers teach growth of a student’s mind instead of force-feeding them information. Straight methods of lecture should not be the norm of teaching. Allow students to think out loud and draw from different perspectives.

Now, to those who say idealist teaching doesn’t work… You might possibly hear that idealist teachers are young and have little classroom experience. They try too hard to be “friends” of students. They allow things to go undisciplined. They are not concerned about the curriculum. They…

Well, my answer to that is… I know many educators who are not young and have many years of teaching experience who have the same “so-called” characteristics I stated above as why an idealist teaching does not work. Great teachers can exhibit mutual respect from relationships formed in the classroom. When it comes to being a quality educator, no one really cares about your age or your years of experience. Ultimately, the one concept that matters is can you, as a teacher, provide an education for a student that helps them succeed. Be that change agent for them.

Think on it this way… Are you the type of teacher that you would want your child to have as a teacher? Hello, maybe someone might have just had the OMG moment…

So, are you already an idealist teacher? If not, can you become one? Better yet, do you want to be one?

Go be a great educator and leader today… Our future needs it…

Remember… Think Leadership and Be For Others…

©2020 J Clay Norton

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Your Leadership Brand…

01 Friday May 2020

Posted by in Actions, Brand, coronavirus, covid19, Crisis, Leader, Leadership, Value

≈ 1 Comment

The value of branding your leadership is not always measured by how many times we hear “Well done,” or “You did a great job,” or “I know you worked long and hard on that project.” Oh, but how we often want it to be measured that way… Our leadership is measured on the impact it makes, not in short, but in the value of the long term, it has on the organization and, most importantly, the people. And that value… unconscionably creates your brand…

As that opening paragraph begins to simmer and resonate in your mind, I think it is timely to talk about our leadership “brand” and the effects of it, especially in a time such as we are experiencing now. I would think it would be safe to say that we all aspire to be quality leaders. Reflectively speaking, it can be creative and fun. Finding new ideas and ways that help the overall picture of what we know “something” can be and then, with the help of others, bring a common good for all is the best feeling.

I also believe one of the hardest things to do is “hope” that your leadership brand has enough weight to carry itself and a group when it is time to have a plan without having a plan ready to go. I once heard the old adage, “It is better to build a plane on the ground, instead of in the air.”

The “brand” we talk with is heard, and we walk with is seen. What are people hearing and seeing as you lead with your brand? It is hard enough to “sell” your brand, much less wanting people to understand your brand and what it is. My leadership style has to be made by me from a summation of lifetime experiences. However, how I lead cannot be a copy based on the brand of other leaders. More times than not, when we copy leadership, it just doesn’t fit well. And we all know when something doesn’t’ fit well, it sure doesn’t wear well.

I think of a person’s leadership brand like I do a company’s logo. Take the company “XYZ” for example (insert whatever company you want). When we hear or see the company’s name or logo, a mental explosion takes place, and everything we have ever seen, heard, tasted, tried, etc… comes to thought. I would dare say the same thing happens when we see or hear the leadership around us.

With all of that being said, I feel the importance, now, of others knowing what our leadership brand is. One thing our brand cannot do is change like the weather. Our leadership brand is what we make it. Needless to say, through all of your leadership tenure, your leadership brand will be remembered. Maybe now more than ever.

One more thought, you know those cattle branding irons? They tend to leave a permanent marking… Well, so does your leadership…

Go be a great educator and leader today… Our future needs it…

Remember… Think Leadership and Be For Others

©2020 J Clay Norton

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Honoring “TIME” in Your Classroom…

21 Friday Feb 2020

Posted by in Actions, Agenda, Classroom Management, Communication, Consistency, Leader, Leadership, Meetings, Teachers, Time

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“I can’t wait for the bell to ring.” Who makes this statement?

The student or the teacher? Or, both?

Being in education, now for 25 years, I would dare say both. But why? A lesson too hard, students too bad, you do not feel well, students disconnected, etc… the list can go on and on.

Here is what I believe, as a classroom teacher, your ability to manage or mismanage time somehow equates to your classroom management or mismanagement.

How many teachers do you see/know that are not prepared for “the day” of teaching? Forget about planning ahead; they usually plan behind… No one, even students, should have respect for unpreparedness. Especially from a professional adult. Now, some can get by with “winging it.” I know a few people like that, but eventually, that “wing” will snap and…

I have also been thinking about how time “flies” (I tend to do that the older I become). What I have figured out… it does, especially if you are enjoying your time. You know where this is going… Do you and your students enjoy your time together? I figure some of you are saying, “You don’t know my students.” You are correct, I don’t, but we know people, and we know ourselves. Find a way to make your class enjoyable because it starts with you. An inviting environment does wonders for time.

Time best spent is when everyone is involved. When a teacher “hijacks” the classroom, like money, students feel cheated. Or, if you always teach to a particular group in your class. You should not have to convince your students you know your subject. The goal is to convince the students they know the subject. Help them make their own discoveries and connections. Teach and facilitate your lessons and fill in the gaps when they have questions.

Most importantly, be prompt and pace the lessons. Contrary to popular belief, not everyone learns at the same pace. Yes, you might just have to repeat or redo some parts. And you know what, that’s good teaching. Do not rush a lesson because you have to get to the next standard or section. You might miss a valuable foundation that can change someone’s learning.

As a leader in the classroom, you take responsibility for the timing and the environment. This goes for any leader in any situation. All you need to do is change the classroom to a meeting or function and change lessons to agendas.

Of all the “things” educators cannot control, the two things that we can is our classroom time and management. Set one, and the other should follow. You set the standard with both, and please do not lower them.

Go be a great educator today… Our future needs it…

Remember… Think Leadership and Be For Others

©2020 J Clay Norton

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