Category Archives: Relationships

It’s raining…

23 Tuesday Jul 2019

Posted by in Actions, Choice, Decisions, Leader, Leadership, Preparation, Relationships, Servant, Uncategorized, Value

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Well, here we are in July… It is hot, humid, muggy, sweaty, etc… but tonight, as I sit on the front porch, it is raining.  It has actually cooled down the temperature a little (if you can say that) to where sitting outside is bearable…

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Tonight’s rain brings something that I enjoy… the sound and the smell of it.  There seems to be something about it that brings in a newness, fresh feeling that calms the mind.  I imagine it to be like an “all sensory sound machine.”  While I sit here enjoying the sound and the smell, the thought I have of rain that always comes back to me is the conversation line in Facing the Giants, “Prepare for rain.”

Here is the actual quote…

“There were two farmers who desperately needed rain in a drought. And both of them prayed for rain, but only one of them went out to plow his field to receive the rain. Now, which farmer trusted and believed that it was going to rain?”

As we go about our day, whatever that might be for each of us, are we preparing for the results of our leadership?  Many leaders just go about and lead only because of their title and/or position that they have.  While others actually work to make sure their leadership is meaningful, uplifting, positive for the benefit of others. They prepare their workings to be an outward seeking effect, instead of the internal mindset of “What’s in it for me?”

One thing that I have learned over the past few years is that we must always prepare to pause and pay attention to those around us.  As leaders, we move in and out of our days so quickly that it is easy to forget about who is around us.  We must prepare to lead others effectively, and we cannot do this if we do not know who we are leading.  They are not just a group of people who are hired to do a job.  They are people with a heart, mind, and soul – they matter.

As we close out July and get ready for school to start, the educational leadership that we provide will either help or hurt. Preparation is vital, but it must be more than “talked about” preparation.  Actually preparing the field for the rain, shows the level of commitment we have as leaders for others.  For the crops to grow, we must prepare for them to grow.

The next time it rains, take a moment to listen and smell the effects and give an intentional effort so others can see the preparation you are doing for them. Yes or no, the results will be seen.  What are you doing today in your leadership that “prepares for the rain?”

Thanks again for reading.

©2019 J Clay Norton

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Teaching, an Appreciation?

10 Friday May 2019

Posted by in Appreciation, Future, Inspiration, Relationships, Trust

≈ 1 Comment

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How do you answer the title question? Not just today or this week (it is teacher appreciation week by the way) but every day.

Is teaching appreciated? Probably not the way it should be…
Does teaching need to be appreciated? You bet!

I believe the role of a teacher and education for that matter is at a crossroad, and it is crucial where we go with it. One thing we cannot do is just sit in the middle and let others decide for us what they want education to be. Who better to make educational decisions than educators?

I say that, to say this… There are reasons why teachers and teaching should be appreciated, and it is essential for everyone else to know why. The value of being appreciated is significant for people in all walks of life. Daily recognition and a “thank you” carries an intrinsic feeling that personalizes job satisfaction. For the most part, great teachers know they are teaching the way it should be. However, not that teachers need public affirmation, it sure is nice to hear it from others.

So, why should teachers be appreciated? Here you go…

Teachers help change the mindset of the future.

How else do students choose a career? Teachers look actively for excellent work and brilliant ideas of today’s youth and help channel that into a possible career choice.

Teachers are walking unofficial psychologists.

I’ll call teachers this… mood-changers. How many students’ mood changes for the better when they are surrounded by people who care and provide a positive impact for them? Teachers are sometimes the only ones who say, “You can do this.”

Teachers challenge the mind of students to a higher level.

Teachers have the innate ability to take a student from “here to there” over time. Incremental development is a fascinating concept to watch take place. Where else can you find “growth” of a person in five to six different areas all in a days work?

Teachers build trust and relationships.

This is a funny concept. It’s intangible, and it is hard to see and find. But when it takes place, a bond between that of student and teacher takes on a whole new meaning. The value of it trickles into others, and it creates an environment where many want to belong.

Teachers provide inspiration.

I have had a few teachers in my life to do this, and I sat in awe of them and their ability to transform my mind. Inspiration taps something inside our soul and mind to make us want to be/do better than before. Society will stand in line to put you down; students need someone who will not.

Every student has a story to tell, and it covers all genres. Teachers are the ones who help write those stories. Teachers are the last of a stable foundation that seems to be crumbling. Teaching is the last stronghold and line of defense that separates society with the notion that somebody cares about where we are going with those who will be our future.

Daily appreciation is worth the time it takes to say it. Say it often and say it loud. Find a teacher and recognize them. A little appreciation can increase a teacher’s effectiveness and provide a smile that stays on the face.

Teaching, an appreciation? YES… All day, every day – THANK YOU, TEACHERS!

©2019 J Clay Norton

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Robbing Others of Their Leadership…

26 Friday Apr 2019

Posted by in Decisions, Leader, Leadership, Relationships

≈ 4 Comments

How well do you acknowledge the leadership of others? Or do we just rob them of it?

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Well, this is an interesting question… and one I have thought about much for some time now. From a leadership position, we often want people who act, look, and think as we do; more of a “one size fits all” thought process. Now that does not mean we go against our core values and accept radical ideas and changes. I do believe leadership needs to be “reading” in the same book, but maybe not always on the same page.

What is at issue here is that notion that many have exceptional leadership capabilities and they are either not given a chance (for whatever reason) or looked over because they do not pass the “eyeball” test of our own seeing.

I have often heard that if you only allow people in leadership positions that lead as you do, then why do you need them? There are some bright, novel, ambitious people who need a chance to lead. However, society and leadership, in general, is so caught up in the “quota,” the “look,” the “think like me,” mindset, that we miss out on what could be a whole new opportunity for everyone to move forward. Bottom line… more often than not the “right” person for leadership is not given a chance.

The mainstay of “status quo” is – it is “status quo.” Nothing changes. You get what you have, and you stay where you are. It is compared to a dusty, smelling room. Nobody I know is a fan of mold. Sometimes, you just have to spray air freshener.

Do we say we want others to believe in themselves? Well, it might help if others know that we believe in them. Why is there fear in giving others a chance? Is it because we have some internal thought of our own self-serving and self-protection? I am a big fan of surrounding yourself with others who can make everyone look good instead of me trying to look good by myself. It really is too expensive – if you know what I mean. It will cost you down the road.

No one wants to limit their own leadership growth, but when we fail to acknowledge that others have great leadership ideas and thoughts, that is what we do precisely. In essence, we do one thing: we rob the future of someone who could/can make a difference!

©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

≈ 2 Comments

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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Remember… THINK LEADERSHIP!