Category Archives: Transformational

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.

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Gravitas… A Heavy Word For Leadership?

16 Friday Aug 2024

Posted by in Accountability, Actions, Appreciation, confidence, Consistency, Culture, Education, Educational Leadership, Effective, Grace, Gravitas, Honest, Influence, Inspiration, Integrity, Intentional, Knowledge, Leader, Leadership, Mixed Signals, Presence, Relationships, Resilience, Respect, Transformational, Transparent, Trust, Understanding, Value, Wisdom

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I like words. I like the etymology of words: where they come from, the primary source for why they mean what they do, etc. I especially like words that have flavor, and “gravitas” happens to fit that characteristic for me.

Screenshot 2024-08-15 at 10.11.43 AM

The term gravitas comes from Latin, where it originally meant “heaviness” or “weight.” This literal sense of physical weight evolved into a metaphorical meaning, implying seriousness, dignity, or authority. The Latin word gravis, which means “heavy,” “serious,” or “important,” is the root of gravitas. The suffix “-tas” in Latin is used to form nouns that express a state or quality, so gravitas conveys the quality of being serious or important.

As I have been reading over the past summer, gravitas has been popping up more than usual. Depending upon what circle you run, gravitas does not appear to be a word that rolls freely off the tongue. While one might know what it means, how to use it could possibly cause a stumble.

Where and how does gravitas fit into leadership?

Gravitas is not merely about respect; a leader can command or demand that, often out of fear. Gravitas is about embodying a sense of purpose, wisdom, and emotional resilience that can inspire and guide others. A leader with gravitas has a presence that alone can calm and focus attention on its surroundings. This presence isn’t just about charisma; it’s about substance. That is something we definitely need more of; leaders with substance.

Leaders with gravitas simply don’t just speak; their words transcend meaning that touches their listeners with thoughtful feeling. The words carry weight and have a sense of purpose, enabling a depth of character to navigate leadership obstacles, never being unapproachable with their personality. Their demeanor helps others feel safe and motivated.  

Gravitas also fosters trust. Problems arise, difficult situations hit you head-on, uncertainty brings doubts… We need leaders who are confident and stable. Those who can create reassurance. Not because they can “flex” their leadership position but because they display authority in a society that has nothing but talking points and loud voices.

Gravitas… quiet strength and power with substance. Do you know a leader like this?

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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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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Education Needs Uniter’s, Not Dividers…

25 Friday Aug 2023

Posted by in Decisions, Educational Leadership, Leader, Leadership, Transformational, Unity, Vision

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This past Wednesday night was the first presidential debate on the Republican side. As eight hopeful candidates stood on stage, I realized that each one was trying their best to bring the Republican party together. However, with so many different viewpoints and agendas, a disconnect is what we saw most. However, one item they all agreed upon was to get rid of the Department of Education…

Segue to education needs, especially educational leadership…
In a world where division and discord are around every corner, education should not be one of the areas where either is found.

True, quality leaders understand that their role extends beyond personal gain, hence the reason for being in education to begin with. Education needs leadership that fosters unity, collaboration and shared progress. The bottom line is the distinction in their approach – education needs leadership that are uniters and not dividers.

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Uniters provide a transformational style of leadership that paves the way for growth, innovation, and an environment of harmony where everyone can thrive. Leaders who put unity first can offset issues that may be trivial at best. A different mindset or approach to problems does not exploit differences. Sometimes, acknowledging those unique perspectives on problems creates that uniting environment. When leaders actively seek out diverse thinking, they create a platform for inclusive decision-making, resulting in more well-rounded solutions. However, not doing this takes little time to see when dividers are present.

Uniting creates a sense of belonging and ownership, intrinsically motivating individuals to invest in it. You want leadership success? Give people a reason to want to belong. That’s uniting.

Leadership dividers ignore disagreements and avoid difficult conversations. The impact of their leadership does not extend beyond themselves. They do not inspire others, creating a ripple effect that festers and spreads like a disease. In contrast, a leadership uniter leads by example, demonstrating uniting values and behaviors they expect from others. They plant and cultivate a culture of respect, empathy, and collaboration. Success partners with collective achievement and uniting occurs when this comes to fruition.

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.

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