Blessings Counted

The intentionality of leadership… Where has it gone? Better yet, why is it important? I guess we can answer the first question with it’s here, but we are “oh, so busy, I don’t have time to be intentional.” An answer to the second question might answer the first… why is it important? Well, I have found that intentional leaders usually help create an environment of confidence, helping others to develop and succeed. Their purpose, if we want to say that, is to put others first with support. So, if intentional leadership is here but not practiced, it would seem that time is more focused on themselves than others. Yep, that will keep you, “oh, so busy.”

I’ve written a few blogs in the past on intentional leadership, but the topic came back to mind the other day when a friend and I were talking. So, here’s a different spin on it…

Tricia Manning of Be Intentional says, “When you lead with intention, you foster an environment that teaches your employees that their work matters. You help them feel the importance of their contribution, build their self-confidence, and connect their work to their own core values. But this doesn’t just happen.”

Leaders who are out and about have a better pulse on the culture than those who stay behind a closed door of an office… But it’s more than that… Just because you are out and about, being seen is not enough. It’s speaking to and allowing others to speak to you as well. Ok, bad grammar time – Ain’t nothing is worse than a leader who walks by and sees you but doesn’t speak. You don’t have to stop and carry on a monologue; just say hello. You don’t even have to ask how they are doing. Just acknowledge, but do it without the “head nod;” take the time to speak.

While this might seem simple and little, another “foundism” I have is that the simple, little things of leadership matter. This defines us more than what we do on a larger stage. When we only serve others when convenient, our intentionality becomes inward-centered.

As I write this, I realize that we are as much defined by what we don’t do as we are by what we do. As leaders, we provide enormous influence without having to say it. If we ever, really want people to work “with you” instead of “for you,” our leadership intentionality needs to acknowledge others. We could really use this in our classrooms as teachers with our students in education, by the way…

Let’s go fight the good fight of leadership. Someone has to…

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

Remember… Think Leadership and Be For Others…

Want more Leadership Thoughts? Follow me on… Twitter @thebookchamber or follow the blog directly.

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Are you annoyed at what others say?

28 Friday Oct 2022

Posted by The Book Chamber in Actions, Annoying, Conversations, Leadership, Perceptions, Relationships

≈ 2 Comments

Do you ever get annoyed with what others say? Maybe it’s even those “one-liners.” Yep, that’s me. I get annoyed, but I have great “one-liners.” Anyway… Hopefully a little levity today and a side of seriousness.

This past Monday, I was listening to This Morning – America’s First News with Gordan Deal on the way to school. He and Mike Gavin were talking about an article titled, ‘Annoying’ people say these 75 things, according to Reddit users. Well, I can tell you, I turned up the volume because I know a lot of annoying people and wanted to hear what the sayings were…

Here are ten that I pulled from the list…

“I don’t mean to be rude, but …”

“Let’s agree to disagree.”

“No offense, but …”

“It is what it is.”

“Here’s the deal.”

“If I were you …”

“Must be nice.”

“Nobody cares.”

“I’m the type of person …”

“It’s all good.”

A few of my favorites I did not see on the list were…

“Can I be honest with you?” (Wait, that means you have lied to me before?)

“Let me be frank with you…” (No, don’t be frank, just be you)

“Fake it til you make it.” (For those of you who know me, this is the worst of all annoying sayings, especially in a leadership position.)

In 2020, I wrote a blog on Things Leaders Should Not Say… As I read the entire list in the article, I thought about that blog, and yes, when leaders say certain things, it can be very annoying. There are even a few annoying sayings on the 75-list that are included in the blog.

The list of 75 will make you think of what you and others often say. Yes, there are a few on the list that I have said and say as well (I counted ten). I laughed when I read some of them because I immediately thought of certain people who are notorious for saying one, if not more, of them. And, yes… depending on the person, it can be very annoying.

I guess that is the determining factor; who it is and what type of relationship you have with them. What some see as annoying, others see as funny. It seems that I’m guilty of both, but I’m ok with it.

If nothing else, as with all things in life, time is too short. Perception is not reality; rose-colored glasses only tint stuff as we want it to be. Society gets annoyed when we do not think and act like it wants us to, and there lies the problem; relativism at work… Respect is not, but should be, a two-way street. It gets annoying when it is not.

What I cannot do is control what others say. I don’t have to let what others say impact my feelings. Do I get annoyed with what others say? You bet I do. It wears me out mentally, but ultimately, it’s my decision. So… stop saying annoying statements or quit being annoyed? What am I to do?

Let’s go fight the good fight of leadership. Someone has to…

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

Remember… Think Leadership and Be For Others…

Want more Leadership Thoughts? Follow me on… Twitter @thebookchamber or follow the blog directly.

Want to share this leadership thought with others? Click on one of the social media sharing buttons below and help spread the good…

Do Teachers Forget They Were Once Students?

09 Friday Sep 2022

Posted by The Book Chamber in Actions, Connections, Consistency, Education, Educational Leadership, Leader, Leadership, Purpose, Relationships, Students, Teachers

≈ 2 Comments

Let’s open today’s blog with a question for you to ponder…

Do teachers forget they were once students?
It will be interesting to know your thoughts on this.

So, here is mine… Yes, I believe many teachers forget they were once students. Now, not all teachers per se, but I have heard of teachers who seem to be “out to get” students. And, after 28 years of teaching, I think I have seen a few also.

But why?

I’m not sure, but I have a few guesses. One would be an insecurity issue. I truly believe that insecure people want others to be miserable with them. While this transcends into a societal issue, it also becomes one in classrooms. It seems that insecure teachers often teach in a way that is domineering so they can let all the students know they are in charge.

Another reason, I fear, is that too often, teachers who felt like they were not “treated” the way they wanted while being a student take it out on their students now. While this does not undo a wrong, it does create a classroom filled with tension. This might be the teacher who brags about how many people failed their test.

As a teacher, we might be the only people in a student’s life where they see some idea of stability. Too many teachers forget they were once students, and I believe that is an educational crime that needs to be “fixed.” When we offer an inviting and not domineering environment, students, for the most part, will relax and breathe a little easier. At what point should a teacher not “do right” by their students? I believe our number one goal as a teacher, regardless of how a student feels about the subject, is to be the teacher that the student needs. As teachers, we can be demanding with high expectations; why would we ever lower them. However, this comes with the price of knowing your students and building credit with them.

Be the teacher your student-self would have wanted. Better yet, be the teacher you want your child to have. Don’t forget you were once a student. Let your students see this in you. I believe it will build a better relationship for your classes.

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

Remember… Think Leadership and Be For Others…

Want more Leadership Thoughts? Follow me on… Twitter @thebookchamber or follow the blog directly.

Want to share this leadership thought with others? Click on one of the social media sharing buttons below and help spread the good…

The Book Chamber

~ J Clay Norton, Ed.D.

Category Archives: Relationships

Blessings Counted

Intentionality of Leadership: Acknowledging Others…

Are you annoyed at what others say?

Do Teachers Forget They Were Once Students?

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