• Home
  • About
  • Contact

The Book Chamber

~ J Clay Norton, Ed.D.

The Book Chamber

Category Archives: Transparent

Getting rid of the bitter taste of leadership…

05 Friday Nov 2021

Posted by The Book Chamber in Actions, Bitterness, Character, Communication, Decisions, Effective, Facade, Intentions, Kindness, Leader, Leadership, Listening, Love, Transparent, Uncategorized, Vision

≈ Leave a comment

Ugh… that tastes bitter. Even worse, that bitter taste can sometimes linger, and it begins to be all we think about; talk about distracting. It will probably hinder us from tasting the good of other things also.

But… what does bitter look like? Good question. Better yet, what does bitter leadership look like, and why is it such a thing? First, what is bitterness? A quick lookup gives this definition – having a sharp, pungent taste or smell, not sweet. Hello… not sweet, pungent… Talk about a bad quality of leadership… How about this statement, “I have a bitter taste in my mouth about…” Yep, been there, said that. Pungent… doesn’t even sound like a good word to say.

I would say, most of the time, our bitterness is always going to be with something or someone else. It mostly comes with disappointments which leads to frustrations, not only with yourself but others. Bitterness in your life affects so many things; confidence, mood, performance, likeability, respect… most of all, love. It deprives the sweetness of what leadership should be.

toxic_bitterness-1024x460

One area I see bitterness is in leaders who only think their way is “the only way.” They lead with blinders that prevent them from seeing anything anyone else has to say. By default, others begin to question, respect is lost, and their leadership becomes a facade, seen right through. I guess, in the end, bitterness comes and goes, but the effects can last much longer. A full circle runs through all people, especially when we do not get our way.

So… how can we fight bitterness? I am not sure there is an absolute answer. However, I have seen enough leaders with bitterness that I have some ideas on how I do not want to lead. First, be open to ideas and not have a closed-mind set. Second, be transparent with your leadership. If we can incorporate both of these concepts in our leadership, we will lead better, and others will not have to be bitter because you are.

Go figure and it sounds easy. However, when our EGO gets in the way, bitterness is going to taste bad. Let’s lead with a sweetness.

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

Remember… Think Leadership and Be For Others…

©2021 J Clay Norton

Want more Leadership Thoughts? Follow me on…

Twitter @thebookchamber

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

Share this:

  • Tweet
  • Email
  • More
  • Print
  • Share on Tumblr

Like this:

Like Loading...

Friendship Thankfulness…

13 Friday Nov 2020

Posted by The Book Chamber in Encouragement, Engagement, Friendship, Honest, Leadership, Relationships, Thankful, Thanksgiving, Transparent, Trust, Understanding, Value

≈ 7 Comments

In keeping with the theme of Thanksgiving…

This past Sunday, our pastor, in his sermon, alluded to the idea of what true friendship really is and is not. As I listened and thought about that idea this week, as always… “it got me to thinking.”

We all have friendships in our lives. They come and go, change, etc. As I look back, it is funny to see our “friendship map” and where it has taken us.

Friendship is tough to define. Often, our definition of friendship is what we make it in order to meet our needs at a specific time in our lives…

Anyway, as I have been thinking about friendships this week, I am very thankful for the friends I have. Those who accept and take me for who and what I am, and most importantly – my well-being. I think there lies the true measure of friendship.

I’m a HUGE Charlie Brown fan…

So… friendship…

First, I believe friendship only happens with people you actually spend time with. It is hard to develop a friendship if you are never around a person. And no, friendship is not the number of “friends” you have on social media.

Second, friendship needs to enjoy one another’s company. We are around a lot of people daily. Friends, sure… but is the measure of that only surface, or does it cut deep?

Third, it is hard to have friendships without common interests. I have said it time and time again, “There is something to be said about having like-minded, kindred-spirited people” in your lives. There are only so many conversations one can have on family and the weather.

Fourth, this is where it will get interesting. We have to have friends that will “get into your business.” If you cannot have honest, heartfelt conversations, then the friend status might need to be “un”checked.

Lastly, friendship must not only offer encouragement, but it must also be willing to help in a time of need. I am not talking about times where “I need a favor.” I’m talking about no matter who, what, when, why, or where… that friend will be there, no questions asked.

I hope you have friends who have the characteristics above. I do, and for that, I am whatever is beyond thankful. If you get a chance, you might want to tell them that.

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

Remember… Think Leadership and Be For Others…

©2020 J Clay Norton

Want more Leadership Thoughts?  Follow me on…

Twitter

LinkedIn

Instagram

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

Share this:

  • Tweet
  • Email
  • More
  • Print
  • Share on Tumblr

Like this:

Like Loading...

Reasons I Do Not Want To Be A Bad Leader…

31 Friday Jan 2020

Posted by The Book Chamber in Actions, Leader, Leadership, Pride, Servant, Transformational, Transparent

≈ 1 Comment

I do not know how many reasons I could list, but like you, I believe a list could go on and on…

The other day I was listening to talk radio, and the host said something about someone in a leadership position… yada, yada…

As I was listening to myself think, I began to talk to myself (Yes, I actually do that, and do not say that you do not). I asked myself why I did not “care for” that individual person’s leadership. I resonated back to this thought, which is one of many that I have stamped into my MO… “You can never separate who you are with what you say you believe in.” Your leadership is who you are, that is reality.

I say all of that to say this… I began listing out loud the reasons I do not want to be a bad leader… The hard part is knowing that some people are just not going to like you or agree with you on anything you say or do. Unfortunately, I do not have an answer for that. However, I do believe that as long as you do right by others and have a servant’s heart, the problem lies with other people and their thought process, not how you actually lead. Time is the actual test of this.

So… here is my list of reasons I do not want to be a bad leader…

Because, bad leadership…

Creates a lack of discipline in my life
Leads to more bad leadership
Never pleases, it only hurts
Creates a greater burden on others
Time spent in bad leadership is forever wasted
Always makes me less than what I could be
Causes others to suffer consequences
Steals what little, good leadership I might have
Chooses not to respect the thoughts of others
May influence others to have bad leadership
…and most of all…

Indicates that I am a lousy leader!

How can you tell if you are providing bad or good leadership? That answer is not our own, for it lies in the time past and yet to come. One idea that we need to come to grips with is to admit that end results do not always equate bad or good leadership. Just because something works out does not mean good leadership was exhibited.

So… what reason would you put on the list for why you do not want to be a bad leader? You fill in the blank… Because, bad leadership _______________.

Remember… Think Leadership and Be For Others

©2020 J Clay Norton

Want more Leadership Thoughts?  Follow me on…

Image result for small facebook icon

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

Share this:

  • Tweet
  • Email
  • More
  • Print
  • Share on Tumblr

Like this:

Like Loading...

A Window into Your Leadership…

20 Friday Sep 2019

Posted by The Book Chamber in Appreciation, Authentic, Culture, Facade, Leader, Leadership, Relationships, Transparent, Trust, Value

≈ 1 Comment

The role of a window is to let the light shine through it… and the role of your leadership should be transparency.

71eGqzOi6QL._SX425_

Two ways not to let light in; put curtains up or just keep a wall up… either way, transparency is blocked.

Why do you think this is? Why are some leaders transparent and others not?

I believe it has to do with a trust issue.  Trust and transparency exist only with the help of the other. How many times have you been a part of an organization where “shade” was consistently thrown? For the most part, people do not like surprises, especially when it comes to their work environment. As a leader, you are responsible for letting, not allowing, people to see with greater clarity.  As a leader, you are responsible for eliminating the “behind the scenes” actions and be proactive in creating an atmosphere where people want to belong.

The more I look around, I am beginning to believe more and more that people leave an organization because of leadership; the lack of. No one I know wants to be associated with weak, insecure leadership, and that precisely is what lack of, or no transparency gives. Who wants to lose good people?

Having transparency as a leader is not a weakness.  Actually, it is very powerful. It allows you to connect on a level that promotes trust, that goes both ways; for you and others. Some leaders are not transparent because they feel it will lessen their “rule,” their “status” will not be appreciated, or they do not want to have shared-leadership. Each of these limits the productivity everyone can have – relationships become fragile, trust is not developed, and the suppression of reality creates fake leadership.

The need for transparency in leadership is at an all-time high. Too many leaders “close the curtain” or “put up a wall” when it comes time to lead. The authenticity of having a window to let others into your leadership does not exist, and ultimately it is the leader who loses.

Transparency is open and honest. More importantly, it is real. It inspires hope and promotes an opportunity for all. As you continue to lead, let the window do what it is designed to do… let others see your leadership. It is the one key element you have to cultivate the culture where everyone is on the same page.

Remember… Think Leadership and Be For Others

©2019 J Clay Norton

Want more Leadership Thoughts?  Follow me on…

Image result for small facebook icon

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

Share this:

  • Tweet
  • Email
  • More
  • Print
  • Share on Tumblr

Like this:

Like Loading...
← Older posts
Follow The Book Chamber on WordPress.com

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Follow me on Twitter

My Tweets

Archives

  • January 2023 (3)
  • December 2022 (4)
  • November 2022 (3)
  • October 2022 (4)
  • September 2022 (5)
  • August 2022 (3)
  • May 2022 (4)
  • April 2022 (5)
  • March 2022 (3)
  • February 2022 (4)
  • January 2022 (4)
  • December 2021 (3)
  • November 2021 (3)
  • October 2021 (5)
  • September 2021 (4)
  • August 2021 (3)
  • May 2021 (3)
  • April 2021 (5)
  • March 2021 (3)
  • February 2021 (3)
  • January 2021 (4)
  • December 2020 (3)
  • November 2020 (3)
  • October 2020 (5)
  • September 2020 (4)
  • August 2020 (2)
  • June 2020 (1)
  • May 2020 (3)
  • April 2020 (4)
  • March 2020 (1)
  • February 2020 (4)
  • January 2020 (4)
  • December 2019 (3)
  • November 2019 (4)
  • October 2019 (4)
  • September 2019 (4)
  • August 2019 (3)
  • July 2019 (1)
  • June 2019 (1)
  • May 2019 (3)
  • April 2019 (4)
  • March 2019 (4)
  • February 2019 (4)
  • January 2019 (3)
  • December 2018 (3)
  • November 2018 (4)
  • October 2018 (4)
  • September 2018 (4)
  • August 2018 (4)
  • July 2018 (1)
  • June 2018 (1)
  • May 2018 (4)
  • April 2018 (4)
  • March 2018 (4)
  • February 2018 (4)
  • January 2018 (3)
  • December 2017 (4)
  • November 2017 (3)
  • October 2017 (4)
  • September 2017 (5)
  • August 2017 (3)
  • July 2017 (1)
  • June 2017 (4)
  • May 2017 (19)
  • April 2017 (9)

Categories

  • A Christmas Story
  • Achieve
  • Actions
  • Advantage
  • Adventure
  • Advocate
  • Affection
  • Agenda
  • Align
  • Amazing
  • Amnesia
  • Anchored
  • Andy Griffith
  • Annoying
  • Appreciation
  • Assist
  • Attention
  • Attitude
  • Authentic
  • Balance
  • Banning Books
  • Bitterness
  • Brand
  • Camaraderie
  • Captive
  • Change
  • Character
  • Charlie Brown
  • Choice
  • Christmas
  • Circumstances
  • Clarity
  • Classroom Leadership
  • Classroom Management
  • Clear
  • Communication
  • Company
  • Compassion
  • confidence
  • Conflict
  • Connections
  • Conscience
  • Consistency
  • Contentment
  • Conversations
  • coronavirus
  • Counseling
  • Courage
  • COVID-19
  • covid19
  • Craft
  • Crisis
  • Culture
  • Deciding
  • Decisions
  • Decline
  • Desire
  • Detox
  • Dignity
  • Distance
  • Distance Learning
  • Distractions
  • Dr. Seuss
  • Drift
  • Easter
  • Echo Chamber
  • Education
  • Educational Leadership
  • Effective
  • Embrace
  • Emotion
  • Encouragement
  • Engagement
  • Entertainment
  • Essence
  • Expectations
  • Experience
  • Expertise
  • Expiration dates
  • Facade
  • Family
  • Focus
  • Foundation
  • Freedom
  • Friendship
  • Future
  • Gift
  • Giving
  • God
  • Grace
  • Grading
  • Gratitude
  • Grit
  • Heart
  • Heroes
  • History
  • Honest
  • Hope
  • Hope Stealer
  • Humility
  • Idealist
  • Ideals
  • Illusions
  • Importance
  • Influence
  • Insecurity
  • Inspiration
  • Integrity
  • Intentional
  • Intentions
  • Intolerance
  • Jesus
  • Joy
  • Kindness
  • Know Your Why
  • Leader
  • Leadership
  • Legacy
  • Legislators
  • Lesson Plans
  • Light
  • Listening
  • Looney Tunes
  • Love
  • Mandates
  • Manipulation
  • Mask
  • Math
  • Maturity
  • Meetings
  • Memories
  • Message
  • Misery
  • Momentum
  • Motivation
  • NERDLE
  • New School Year
  • Obedience
  • Observation
  • Opinions
  • Opportunity
  • Passion
  • Passive-Agressive
  • Patience
  • Peculiar
  • Perception
  • Perceptions
  • Perseverance
  • Pet Peeves
  • Pitfalls
  • Power
  • Preparation
  • Presence
  • Present
  • Pride
  • Promotion
  • Purpose
  • Reading
  • Reality
  • Reflection
  • Relationships
  • Rest
  • Sacrifice
  • Sensitive
  • Servant
  • Sincerity
  • Sinkholes
  • Spring Break
  • Standard
  • Students
  • Teacher Appreciation
  • Teacher Shortage
  • Teachers
  • Team
  • Technology
  • Thankful
  • Thanksgiving
  • Time
  • Tolerance
  • Transactional
  • Transfer Portal
  • Transformational
  • Transparent
  • Trust
  • Uncategorized
  • Understanding
  • Unity
  • Useful
  • Value
  • Vision
  • Whole
  • Word
  • WORDLE

Blog Stats

  • 24,218 hits

Blog at WordPress.com.

  • Follow Following
    • The Book Chamber
    • Join 161 other followers
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • The Book Chamber
    • Customize
    • Follow Following
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Report this content
    • View site in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar
 

Loading Comments...
 

    %d bloggers like this: