Category Archives: Transactional

It’s a Wonderful Life – Leadership Found in Good ole George Bailey…

06 Friday Dec 2024

Posted by in A Christmas Story, Actions, Charlie Brown, Christmas, Christmas Vacation, Circumstances, Clarity, Compassion, Crisis, Deciding, Decisions, Heart, Inspiration, It's a Wonderful Life, Know Your Why, Leader, Leadership, Legacy, Purpose, Relationships, Respect, Sacrifice, Servant, Transactional, Transformational

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Well, it’s that time of year again… when we watch the same movies we have seen dozens of times over and over. I have my favorites (Charlie Brown, Christmas Vacation, and The Christmas Story) some that are so-so ok, and then there are those that are no way.

For me, It’s a Wonderful Life falls into a different category. I really like it, but do not watch it often (really cannot tell you why or why not). I do realize that many think it is a holiday classic, and that’s ok; I’m not opposed to turning the channel if it is on. However, I do realize and appreciate that there is a profound amount of leadership, sacrifice, and what can truly define success in the movie.

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Good ole George Bailey… he’s the one many will say, “Go live your life, forget the people.” While others recognize the fact that he spends his life setting aside his dreams of travel, adventure, and ambition to serve the small town of Bedford Falls.

You can be worn out watching George by the movie’s end; even George feels worn out. He sees himself as a failure, convinced he’s achieved nothing he desired, talking to anyone who will listen while at the same time talking to himself. Yet, for the pure of heart, at the end of the movie, we are given a glimpse of the truth… George has everything that truly matters.

This glimpse holds valuable lessons for all, especially those in leadership…

Impact Over Accomplishment

George is a big-time dreamer, wanting to build skyscrapers and see the world. All of this is over shadowed by the transformative impact he has on the lives of others. The older I get, the more I realize that leadership is not measured by trophies, plaques, certificates, or accolades but by how others thrive because of your influence in their lives. Every sacrifice George makes keeps Bedford Falls alive. He ensures families they have homes and hope. I realize here that the true leadership shown by George builds communities, not personal legacies.

The Power of Relationships

There is a scene in the movie where George is at his lowest point. However, he learns his worth is from the outpouring of love and support from those he served; yes, we see servant leadership at its finest. We see in George’s character that leadership is relational, not transactional. Through George’s trust, loyalty, and goodwill, he cultivated his greatest wealth. This is what is needed in times of crisis, the value of relationships.

Redefining Success

Success of achievements vs meaning… This is a hard one, and you are the only one who can answer. We can read books, listen to podcasts, and ask for advice, but in the end… only you can answer what you want out of the decisions you make. If you have seen the movie, you know how it ends. George Bailey did not build skyscrapers, but he built up the lives of others. His success was not in what he gained (he only had $2 left in the cash register) but in what he gave, which was himself. If you understand this, you know that fulfillment can be found when you prioritize purpose over prestige.

Good ole George Bailey… he wanted to chase personal dreams, but not at the expense of others. His greatest triumph could be ours… realizing that a life poured out for others is a wonderful life. This Christmas season, let’s give it a try.

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

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Educational Leadership – What Is The End Goal?

10 Friday Nov 2023

Posted by in Culture, Deciding, Decisions, Educational Leadership, Fair and Equitable Education, Leader, Leadership, Transactional, Transformational

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In case you didn’t know, education is essential to human development…

The other day, I was having a conversation with a graduate student, and we were discussing their future classes, their future, and such. While wrapping up our discussion, I asked them, “What is your end goal?” They said, “To graduate the program.” To which I said, “Good idea.”

As I reflected on that conversation, I started thinking about what are the “end goals” of leadership, especially educational leadership…

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At its central core, the end goals of educational leadership revolve around fostering an environment where learning isn’t a mere transaction but a transformational empowerment of others. I think of it as using compound interest formulas… We can lead with compounding interest based on periods, or we can lead with compounding continuously. When educational leaders lead continuously and cultivate the culture, improvement becomes a natural progression.

A perpetual cycle of growth is what we are going after. Where all stakeholders, from the students to the community, are engaged. It’s more than just academic achievement but extends to personal and professional development.

Another core concept for educational leadership is equity. All educational leaders should strive to build an educational system that ensures every student, regardless of background or circumstance, has equal access to a quality education. Leaders who break down barriers for the right reasons foster an environment where strength is recognized and enables a commitment to enrich education for all.

I have often said that education is that one last stronghold society has that can help it be better. Education goes beyond just academic knowledge of a certain topic. It helps with understanding cultural diversity and helping a person understand the complexities of the world we live in. Educational leaders who provide this learning for academics and culture create an enduring impact on the future.

The “end goal” – what is it for you as an educational leader?

When we enhance students’ learning and provide a dynamic atmosphere where students want to come, not because it is easy or laid back, but because they can feel and see future success with high standards that mark excellence, society’s future is shaped for the better. Educational leadership and leaders are the hinges that open or close those doors.

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

Remember… Think Leadership and Be For Others…

©2023 J Clay Norton

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

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The Two Sides of Leadership Debt…

26 Friday Feb 2021

Posted by in Advantage, Agenda, Authentic, Conversations, Expectations, Future, Leader, Leadership, Transactional, Transformational

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On the way home from school in the afternoons, I listen to talk radio. It can vary from local to national news, sports, and even money. The other day I was scanning the channels and stopped on The Dave Ramsey Show. In his intro, after a break, many times, he will say, “Welcome to the Dave Ramsey Show where debt is dumb, and cash is king.” And as usual, that got me to thinking.

Debt… to owe someone else. Most of the time, we think about debt as being related to money. However, many times I see leaders who have what I call “leadership debt.” Yes, I believe “leadership debt” is a thing, it is happening to many, and there is also another side to it.

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As you look and listen, we often see transactional leadership taking place – “do this for me, and I’ll do this for you.” I believe that leadership should be a healthy mix of transformational and transactional leadership, with a higher percentage leaning toward transformational. However, when transactional leadership takes place, usually we end up owing.

It goes something like this…
“Hey, I need a favor.
     Ok, what can I do for you?
Well, I need such and such, and if you can come through for me, I will return the favor.
     When?
Well, I’m not in a position to do it now, but when I am… I will take care of you.”

It seems to me only one person in the conversation got what they wanted. The other person just sits and waits. So, who owes the debt? I guess you would probably say the person who received the favor. But… what about the person who made good on their end? What did they get? If we think about it in terms of money, they “paid” for something and did not get anything in return but a future promise, and we know how promises are kept… Ultimately, there seems to be only one winner, but do they really win? I see both parties in some form of debt isolation.

The hard part of all of this is many leaders can help others. That is one of the main characteristics of leadership – helping. Do they sometimes need favors? Sure. I do think, however, that they do not need to go around owing others on future promises, while at the same time, the ones who are “paying” need to make sure the return of their investment is healthy, but the return needs to be almost immediate. And when that leader does get to where they can repay… leadership amnesia sets in all the sudden.

I guess what I am trying to say is this… If someone asks you for a “favor,” do it because you want to, not expecting anything in return. Quit giving of yourself to make others look good for their own agenda, and they will start seeking out other weak-minded people. Be true to yourself. When you are, you will be seen as true to others. While at the same time, if you are the one always asking for favors, quit “getting” others to help you get what you want. Do it on your own merit. Yes, it might take more time, and it might cramp your style that you cannot do something you want now, but you will be seen as a much better person.

Yes, Dave Ramsey is right… debt is dumb, but it is even dumber to pay for something and receive nothing in return. As James states, “Let your ‘yes’ be yes, and your ‘no’ be no” (ESV, 2001, James 5:12).

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

Remember… Think Leadership and Be For Others…

©2021 J Clay Norton

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Is Your Leadership A Gift?

14 Friday Dec 2018

Posted by in Actions, Choice, Gift, Giving, Heart, Importance, Integrity, Leader, Leadership, Present, Purpose, Relationships, Servant, Transactional, Transformational, Value

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It’s the season of giving…

First, a disclaimer… This is about intentional giving and not about giving out of obligation (I have never been a fan of that anyway).

Have you ever considered the mental taxation and stress that goes on our hearts and minds of buying a present? Often, there are serious calculations that take place, causing the Advil bottle to empty quickly. The heavy sighs of not knowing what to give, the internet searches, the pages of the catalogs turning, asking others what they think, looking for the one present that says as much about you as it does the person you are buying for.

When we buy a present for someone, it is nothing more than a transaction.  Hardly any feelings take place between the seller and the buyer.  There is probably a friendly, polite conversation but no emotional feelings are exchanged. Why? Because when we make a purchase, a relationship is not established. Just another heavy sigh takes place, but this time one of relief, knowing that you have completed the task.

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But…
Once you give that present to someone, it becomes a gift — everything changes; you take on a different mindset — the anticipation in hoping that everything you went through to make that “transaction” was worth it. Relationships are established when we give the present. The present becomes a gift because when we give it, we are expressing to that person you value them and you want them to be a part of your family or a part of your inner circle.

For some of the gifts we give, a lot of thought process goes into it.  We really try hard to find that perfect gift for others.  Why is this? Intentionality! I believe when we give gifts, it says something about what is inside of us and the relationship that we have with the recipients.  As I think about it a little more now, everything we give shows what is inside of us.  Our time, money, thoughts, etc.; even our leadership.

What then can be said of our leadership as we give it to others?  Is it intentional or out of obligation? Is your leadership nothing more than a present of a transaction? Does it matter what we give in regards to leadership?  I believe so.  Let’s make sure that it does. Turn your leadership into a gift for others. Let it transform not only you but them also.

©2018 J Clay Norton

Remember… THINK LEADERSHIP!

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