Tidal Waves in a Black Hole of Leadership

03 Friday May 2019

Posted by The Book Chamber in Actions, Facade, Leader, Leadership, Servant, Transformational, Value

It is always good to get the mind working, so let’s start with a question…

Do you believe that everybody who is talking about leadership is leading? Better yet, is everyone in a leadership position a leader? By answering these two questions, we describe almost everyone associated with leadership.

Outwardly, people identify themselves with leadership, but inwardly who are they? Are they genuine? Many, because they cling to a false façade of leadership, fool themselves into thinking they are on the right path of leadership when they are stuck in the mud of their own mindset. This leads to destructive leadership. It might not be visible immediately, but over this course of time, the ripple effects of bad leadership become tidal waves drowning others who follow.

To make matters worse, their self-deception is often reinforced by what is seen and heard as “well-meaning” leadership by those who are naïve. This creates surface confusion that leads to a deep, black hole of leadership that naïve followers are never able to escape. What happens to them you might ask? They end up being clones and those waves we discussed earlier, hit everyone else in the face.

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Much of today’s leadership does not model the servant-leadership, transformational mindset. It usually is some water-downed concoction, subject to an emotional thought process of “If I get to where I need to be, then why does it matter how I got here, or even if I did it the right way?” This way of thinking has devastating effects. As a result, almost any leader who has gained leadership this way is seen as genuine. Why, because we attribute leadership to a position and title. It is seen more as a noun than a verb.

Leadership is so easy, and leadership is hard – Both statements beg different opinions. Leadership is not some shallow response, or quick conversations saying the “right” words. Leadership must be measured and valued with depth and meaning. Compromising the trueness of leadership is where we can see the great divide among leaders.

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Teachers… The “Stars” of Education

05 Friday Apr 2019

Posted by The Book Chamber 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.

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.

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Remember… THINK LEADERSHIP!

Warning… A Disaster Waiting To Happen!

29 Friday Mar 2019

Posted by The Book Chamber in Actions, Change, Character, Decisions, Humility, Power, Sacrifice, Servant, Teachers

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We have all heard this saying, “That is a disaster waiting to happen.”

A disastrous situation usually depends on what the situation is and who is involved; more or less – relative. Now let’s look at it from our dealings with those in leadership positions. What determines disastrous leadership? Do you believe a leader can be disastrous? Are they disastrous by nature or only with their actions and decisions? Better yet, let’s just say that some leaders can be disastrous causing.

Every day we are around leaders. We work with them, see them on TV, hear them on the radio, etc… What is it about them that misses the mark on being extraordinary as opposed to disastrous? Here are a few random thoughts that have been on my mind lately…

Disastrous leaders do these too often…

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Create turmoil…
Talk about stirring the pot; they are only happy when they are happy.

Easily frustrated…
At the drop of a handkerchief, I would say.

Unable to make mistakes…
It is not because they cannot or do not make mistakes, but because they are always right.

Do not want to see beyond the now…
They only change when they are forced to or if a change makes them look good.

The higher they climb, the more arrogant they become…
It is almost as if they have an “air” about them; however, they are only breathing in the smell of themselves.

For our leadership to be effective, we must be able to identify what is and what causes disastrous leadership. Knowing these characteristics and avoiding them enables you, your leadership, and others around you the opportunity to be the leader others need.

Yes, some things are a disaster waiting to happen. Yes, there is bad leadership out there, and often we feel the effects of it in our lives. However, we cannot live in a bubble. It is up to each of us, to find a way that enables and empowers others not to be a part of or create a disastrous environment.

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Remember… THINK LEADERSHIP!

Knowing Who You Are As A Leader…

22 Friday Mar 2019

Posted by The Book Chamber 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.

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Remember… THINK LEADERSHIP!

The Book Chamber

~ J Clay Norton, Ed.D.

Category Archives: Servant

Tidal Waves in a Black Hole of Leadership

Teachers… The “Stars” of Education

Warning… A Disaster Waiting To Happen!

Knowing Who You Are As A Leader…

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