Category Archives: Servant

Seeking a Thrill in Leadership? It’s Scary…

01 Friday Nov 2024

Posted by in Actions, Culture, Educational Leadership, Effective, Empathy, Empower, Encouragement, Humility, Influence, Inspiration, Leader, Leadership, Servant, Transformational

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With yesterday being October 31st and Halloween. Many people dressed and wanted to create a scare and possibly a thrill. A purposeful thought, nonetheless, reasoned for whatever. But here’s a thought: do we ever wonder if those who seek a thrill actually scare people?

DALL·E 2024-11-01 07.12.03 - A thought-provoking image illustrating the theme of thrill-seeking versus responsible leadership. Show a leader standing on a dimly lit stage, wearing

I believe it happens more than we realize in leadership every day…

At its core, leadership is about responsibility and should not be thrill-seeking. When individuals chase, want, and advocate for leadership roles for the excitement or the ego boost, it often leads to dangerous outcomes. Most of the time, that danger is hidden. Leadership is not inherently glamorous; it comes with pressures, accountability, and the weight of guiding others toward shared goals; this in itself should humbly scare. However, when leaders pursue the role for excitement or a desire to be in control, it can lead to impulsive behaviors that make decision-making and risk-taking harmful to any established positive culture. This is a danger we must be cautious of.

True leaders (and it’s unfortunate that we have to put “true” in front of leader(s)) find satisfaction not in the thrill of power but in fostering growth mindsets, collaboration, and positive change. Leadership requires vision, patience, and sometimes empathy; all of which can be diminished when someone is drawn to leadership simply for the excitement it provides. Thrill-seeking leaders may overlook key processes, undervalue teamwork, and make decisions that prioritize short-term excitement over long-term success, especially if it benefits them first.

Leadership is ultimately about being a servant and then empowering others. Leaders are entrusted with the well-being, development, and performance of those they guide. When leadership becomes a pursuit for personal excitement, it creates a disconnect between the mission and vision and from the needs of those who provide for the stability of the culture. Leaders who approach their roles with a sense of duty and responsibility rather than thrill-seeking inspire trust, loyalty, and respect.

Leadership is also a stewardship given by God. An opportunity to influence others in a way that reflects His character. A servant-based approach turns the pursuit of leadership upside down, challenging a thrill-seeker to let go of personal ambition and instead focus on uplifting others. The excitement in leadership should come from seeing positive transformation and growth in those we serve, not from the prestige of the position.

Should we be scared by those seeking a thrill in leadership? I say yes. Thrill seekers who obtain leadership positions are more than likely wearing a mask anyway. Seems fitting since yesterday was Halloween…

As you step into your role today, remember that you are not just an educator and leader but a shaper of the future. Your actions and decisions profoundly impact the lives of those you guide. Go, be the great educator and leader that our future needs.

Remember… Think Leadership and Be For Others…

©2024 J Clay Norton

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

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Leading with Intensity or Intentionality… Which One?

25 Friday Oct 2024

Posted by in Accountability, Actions, Align, Christian Worldview, Clarity, Culture, Decisions, Educational Leadership, Empower, Hope, Intensity, Intentional, Intentions, Know Your Why, Leader, Leadership, Learning, Mixed Signals, Opportunity, Relationships, Servant, Sincerity, Trust, Understanding, Unity, Useful, Value, Vision, Wisdom

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We see it almost every game in the world of sports… One word, intensity. On the other hand, we see the opposite, a stoicism of intentionality. As a former basketball coach, I get it… the need to motivate, fuss, correct, celebrate, etc. However, I became a better coach when I tapered off those moments of intensity. One of my coaching mentors, Stan Jones, told me once, “If you fuss and holler all the time, when you actually need to, the players will not know the difference.” I would give that same advice to young coaches now. I would also give it to all those at any leadership level.

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In leadership, the allure of leading with intensity is often strong. We live in a fast-paced world where results are expected quickly, and leaders usually feel pressured to drive people hard, pushing toward ambitious goals and maintaining relentless focus on outcomes. However, while it can achieve short-term gains, leading with intensity often leads to burnout, poor decision-making, and a gradual erosion of a positive culture over time. Every leader should be aware of these negative characteristics.

Leading with intentionality offers a more sustainable and effective approach. Think of it as a natural resource. When leaders are intentional, they focus on achieving goals and how those goals are pursued. Intentional leaders lead with clarity of purpose, ensuring that every decision aligns with the broader mission and values that determine who they are and who the organization is. Rather than pushing with an intensity of negativity and possible belittlement, intentional leaders take a step back to ensure engagement, support, and empowering others to become the standard. Intentional leadership prioritizes the why behind our actions rather than just the how or what, inspiring a sense of purpose and motivation. This fosters a culture of trust and collaboration, seeking results and holistic growth, encouraging personal development, and an opportunity for people to flourish.

While intensity might fuel a leader in moments of crisis or during short bursts of effort, I do not believe it should be a defining style. Leaders who consistently lead with intensity often need to catch up on the nuances that lead to lasting success. Intentionality, however, brings balance, purpose, and foresight, ensuring that both the leader and their team can sustain high performance over time. It would almost allow others to believe you are clairvoyant… 🙂 

From a Christian Worldview perspective, leading intentionally means listening, adapting, and seeking God’s wisdom in decision-making. This doesn’t necessarily mean waiting for divine intervention but rather using the principles and values found in the Bible to guide your leadership. Leadership rooted in intentionality reflects the servant-leader model of Christ, one that brings glory to God and leaves a lasting impact on the hearts of those we serve.

In the end, it’s not about how loudly or forcefully you lead; it’s about how wisely you guide others toward a shared vision. I have seen and been around many leaders of both styles and there is a drastic difference.  

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

Remember… Think Leadership and Be For Others…

©2024 J Clay Norton

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

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A Leadership of Convenience is Inconvenient for Everyone

18 Friday Oct 2024

Posted by in Actions, Character, Consistency, Context, Effective, Facade, Honest, Importance, Integrity, Leader, Leadership, Sacrifice, Servant, Trust, Truth, Value, Vision

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Every morning, driving to school, I listen to the Wall Street Journal Report. I like being aware of what is going on in the world… Often, they have a report from MarketWatch, and yesterday’s report caught my attention. The piece is titled, Here’s why more Americans than ever now shop at Amazon (please note, this is not an endorsement of Amazon, but I do love Amazon). In the article, this statement was made, “Analysts and others note that Amazon’s success when it comes to selling household goods is rooted in three key factors: selection, pricing, and speed of delivery.”

As you have often heard me say, “It got me to thinking.” However, I’m going to encompass all three of the above factors with the thought of convenience. All in all, Amazon has a wide selection range, their prices are competitive, and the delivery speed is usually two days or less with Prime membership. As consumers, we place a significant amount of trust in the companies we buy from. This trust is not just about the products we purchase but also about the convenience these companies offer as a byproduct of that trust. The importance of trust in consumer relationships is a key element that parallels the role of trust in effective leadership. No one cares for the convenience of a product if trust is not gained or there to begin with.

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However, when it comes to leadership…

Leadership is a demanding responsibility that requires consistency, commitment, and a clear vision. I would think everyone can agree on that. Leadership of convenience, where decisions are made based on ease, comfort, short-term gain, or not knowing background or context, often misses the mark for true, lasting effectiveness. At its core, this approach prioritizes what is expedient over what is right, creating a leadership style that is reactionary, inconsistent, and unsustainable. The role of trust in leadership is paramount, as leaders who choose convenience over principle may win momentary victories but fail to build the trust, respect, and long-term success that real leadership requires.

Leadership should not be about self-interest or personal comfort, but often, we see it established in weak leadership. It’s about serving others and doing what is right by them, even when it’s tough, costly, or unpopular. Effective leadership demands sacrifice, putting the needs of others first, even when it’s inconvenient. The need for sacrifice in effective leadership is a key aspect that leaders must understand, as by only engaging when it’s comfortable, leaders signal that they are not invested in long-term success. This weight of leadership responsibility should be felt by every leader.

Leaders driven by convenience often lack vision and fail to inspire. When choices are made based on what is easy or comfortable rather than what aligns with core values or long-term goals, followers become disengaged and confused. 

True leadership embraces responsibility over comfort every day that ends in “y.” It requires courage to stand firm in one’s values and convictions, even when inconvenient. Leadership prioritizing conviction over convenience creates real change built on a foundation of integrity and is foundational to leadership. Without it, credibility crumbles like the façade a leader has created.

And with all of this, the speed of trust at which you can make true leadership happen as a leader speaks volumes about your leadership style and the characteristics you base your leadership on. Just don’t make it one of convenience. 

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

Remember… Think Leadership and Be For Others…

©2024 J Clay Norton

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

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Who do you want leading… A leader who leads by choice or chance?

23 Friday Aug 2024

Posted by in Accountability, Actions, Choice, Culture, Decisions, Effective, Encouragement, Essence, Influence, Inspiration, Intentional, Leader, Leadership, Opportunity, Passion, Purpose, Respect, Servant, Transformational, Trust, Truth, Uncategorized, Understanding, Useful, Value, Vision, Whole

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Leadership, call it what you want, but hopefully, you can agree that it is and will continue to be a journey. It demands conscious effort, a vision that is not blinded by self, and a deep understanding of who we are individually…

So, today’s discussion compares and contrasts leading by choice vs. leading by chance. Too many times I see people who are in leadership positions who have earned their way there or thrown into the position. Is there a difference? I believe so, and by the end of reading, hopefully you will discover which is better and why…

Leading by choice…
They are the leaders who embrace responsibilities and challenges with clarity and purpose. Driven by the desire to be a difference-maker for the good of others, inspiring and creating positive change because it is the right thing to do, not because they just think it will be better. They uphold deliberate leadership that is informed and backed for growth for all they lead. They constantly look to refine their leadership, learning from truth without blinders and adapting to challenges. Leading by choice is intentional and fosters trust, collaboration, and a shared vision. They believe in others and understand the impact of aligning actions with values for all to see.

Leading by chance…
They lack the intrinsic motivation required to truly succeed in it for themselves and lack preparedness. They lead from the hip, often finding themselves in leadership positions due to circumstance or out of necessity, without an actual desire to lead. This type of leadership becomes reactive rather than proactive. Purpose and direction lack consistency in decision-making, and opportunities for growth are missed. They struggle to connect on any level and only want loyalty and engagement that benefits a self-sense of purpose. This creates a hollow leadership that causes disengagement and a lack of cohesion.

From a Christian worldview, this aligns with the idea of servant leadership, all day, every day. Such leaders by choice are better equipped to serve others selflessly, making decisions that reflect wisdom and love, embodying the essence of servant leadership that transforms integrity and conviction in and for others.

We see it every day… Those who lead by choice and those who have to lead by chance. One allows you to succeed; the other, well, they give you a chance. You might ask, “Are opportunity and chance the same thing?” I say no. Ultimately, leaders who lead by choice are more effective because they approach leadership with a passion that spills over and over into the lives of others.

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

Remember… Think Leadership and Be For Others…

©2024 J Clay Norton

Want more Leadership Thoughts? Follow me on… X @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…