Category Archives: Leadership

Stop and Smell The Azaleas…

12 Friday Apr 2019

Posted by in Adventure, Company, Deciding, Encouragement, Family, Leader, Leadership, The Masters, Value

≈ 2 Comments

Yes, the slogan of The Masters… “A Tradition Unlike Any Other”

The wait… Year after year. Name submitted, name not drawn in the lottery for Masters tickets… year after year. Then, BAM!… my brother’s name is drawn for four practice round tickets and on Wednesday, the best of all days.

Thanks to my brother’s name getting drawn, and him inviting me, along with his son and our dad… to Augusta we went. Forty-eight hours, barely any sleep, but wide awake the entire time. Bucket list item, you bet, even better when its with family.

I’ll tell you this, and it is a running joke with my wife’s side of the family. Two things we feel strongly about… Who do you want to eat meals with and with whom do you want to travel? You better enjoy your company when those two things are happening.

Too many times in leadership we have to be around others that are not of our same mindset, and that is ok for we grind through it. However, when it comes to the point of having to be around others because of the “have to case,” no one really profits.

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I say all of that to say this… I am at the point in my life where I want to enjoy who I am around. Are you?

With life, it really is short. The older I get, the quicker the days start and end. More importantly, is the fact that we sometimes realize too late, that we wished we would have done “so and so.” Many people are too “wound tight” to enjoy life. They are worried about satisfying what others think; they stay fearful of upsetting the apple cart and open up the can of “moody spray” with everyone they are around. They cannot have peace with others, because they cannot have peace within themselves. The funny thing is, many want and choose those types of people to keep company with – why?

They say you need to stop and take time to smell the roses. Well, for a few hours this past Wednesday, I stopped and took time to smell the azaleas of Augusta National and take in its beauty that television cannot do justice. Two things were for certain… I enjoyed who I had my meals with and who I traveled with, and that made all the difference. My brother and his son, and our dad for sure made a memory for that one moment that was “A Tradition Unlike Any Other.”

©2019 J Clay Norton

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Teachers… The “Stars” of Education

05 Friday Apr 2019

Posted by in Actions, Consistency, Inspiration, Leader, Leadership, Peculiar, Presence, Promotion, Purpose, Relationships, Servant, Teachers

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Would it not be great for the “professional sporting world” to trade places with the “teaching world?” What if there was actually free agent status, trades or even a draft in the “teaching world?” And yes, let’s add the money in there as well. Would education be better off? Probably, but it is not like that, and we as educators (whatever role one is in) do what we do because it is what we do. The only autographs we sign are on the hall passes.

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For the most part, every teacher trains to be better at his or her craft. Great teachers want to get better (now there are some who do not, but we are not going to discuss those). They want high performance in their job. Every day teachers walk into their classrooms wanting and expecting the best from all. It is no different than any other person in the work world. However, teaching is seen as so fragile. Education is underpaid, overworked, disrespected, etc. It is a total mystery how educators “hang on,” and it is to their credit that they do.

The role of what a teacher does is extraordinary. Teachers adapt more than a chameleon does for survival. The predators are out there…

But… through it all, teachers are still the stars of education.

Why? (talking about the good ones here…) Because…

They Have Presence

They are in the moment; day in, day out. They show up ready to teach. They are engaged in their subject and the lives of their students. They keep distractions to a minimum, and their focus is to perform. The energy they emit adds power to the moment. Inspiring by being what and who they are; their presence is felt.

They Promote

Teachers do what no others can. They create a learning environment that promotes each student to a level that they were not previously. To go from here to there, per se… Teachers are walking advocates of what they believe in, and everyone knows if they are true to their walk. Every class they market their message, selling it to those who want to buy in.

They have Peculiarity

Teachers are different. They position themselves well to succeed. They know the role they play and stand apart. Each one, having that special “gift” that is peculiar to only them. They can explain a topic like no other. There is passion in the belief of conveying information uniquely; creating a learning moment that has a lasting, remembering effect.

Yes, teachers are the stars of education. They get results and is that not what we want from all people? They stir the emotion in others, students and adults alike. They play the role no one else can get and no it is not easy. Every day they go on stage and every day is the performance of their lifetime.

If you know a teacher, thank them today for what they do.  They are the stars that provide a light for others. For what it is worth, teachers are the protectors of our future.

©2019 J Clay Norton

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Knowing Who You Are As A Leader…

22 Friday Mar 2019

Posted by in Actions, Attitude, Consistency, Effective, Know Your Why, Leader, Leadership, Purpose, Servant, Understanding

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First, let’s state this as a premise for our thoughts today…

“Not everyone thinks like you.”

If you are hung up on this notion and believe that others should or even do, then trouble is already at your door.

Every leader has specific skill sets that allow them to be who they are.  This skill set can only be defined by words and actions – right or wrong as it may be. The fallacy is that many leaders go through life leading as though they are the example everyone should follow.

When we lead like this, our leadership is only supported by ourselves, and we limit leadership growth in others.

A few thoughts moving forward… Knowing who you are as a leader is important because…

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As a leader, we must be aware of how we lead and understand that not everyone is going to respond. To get the most out of people, we have to be willing to understand them.  When we do, our leadership and theirs become more effective.

Situational leadership is sometimes needed, but consistency is key. No one is for the better if they are always trying to figure out what we are thinking. Think of it this way… If other people are having to try to figure out why you lead like you do, it is like looking at the seven-day forecast of the weather. Why? Because they need to plan for however the wind blows…

Find a style of leadership that works for both you and more importantly, others.  Many times, we model our leadership based on leaders we admire or the latest book we have read and therein lies the problem.  We are not them.  Be who you are based on knowing your “why” and lead by serving.

The more I listen, observe, and participate in discussions with regards to leadership, the more I realize that society does not promote the type of leadership that is for others. We are in need of an agenda that helps, not an agenda of self. Start leading by knowing who you are.

©2019 J Clay Norton

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Is the “Leadership Force” strong with you?

08 Friday Mar 2019

Posted by in Attitude, Change, Choice, Decisions, Leader, Leadership, Purpose

≈ 3 Comments

I am a Star Wars fan, a big fan. I remember my dad taking me to the first Star Wars movie in 1977. Yes, that original one…

With a family of our own now, we still watch them periodically and even enjoy the newly added and spinoff movies as well. When our daughter reached the age to understand what was going on, we began binge watching all of them.

The idea that fascinates me so much with Star Wars is not only are they great stories, but they tell a story of good vs. evil, sacrifice, and team building. Some of the character’s EGO’s “get checked,” and most of all there are numerous leadership takeaways in each movie and with each character.

Sometimes I walk around our school and give the “Vader” breathing sound, or I do “Yoda speak.” Joking, I remind students that the force is strong with me (I really wish it was).

The other day, I did my “Yoda speak” and began to think about why strong leaders are strong and mentally shrugged thinking especially about Yoda.  Yoda had it going on…

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Yes, I believe there is a “leadership force” state of mind and great leaders use it every day. What they do differently, is what sets them apart. Here are a few thoughts on how the “leadership force” can be strong with you…

Change can be an agent of good
Yoda speak: Agent of good, change is

Leaders who are afraid of change will not take risks, even if it is a calculated risk. Leaders who are strong take decisions, weigh them out, per se, and limit the liability of what can go wrong if a change is made.

Are not puppets
Yoda speak: Puppets, need not be

As soon as you become a “yes” person, you have given away your power as a thinking individual, and you allow someone else to have control over you. Respect for others is one thing, but being fearful of other’s leadership is something else.

Celebrate others
Yoda speak: Others celebrate, they do

Let others be the focus. This goes back to what I have repeatedly said often… Just listen to a leader’s words. Any time success for others occurs, they will insert themselves into the conversation with “me” and “I” and move the spotlight on them instead.

Are not people pleasers
Yoda speak: Pleasers of people, they do not

Leadership is hard and lonely, and decisions that are made are not going to please everyone. Stay grounded to your core values and do not be afraid to speak up when something goes against the grain of right vs. wrong.

I am sure you can come up with other ideas of how the force can be strong in your and other’s leadership. The main idea is not to be part of  “the dark side of the force” also known as weak leadership. You are the only one who can take control and has the responsibility of making sure you remain “strong with the force.”

May the force be with you…?

©2019 J Clay Norton

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