Category Archives: Value

A Tribute to Coach Stan Jones… Leadership Beyond the Game

16 Friday Oct 2026

Posted by in Accountability, Appreciation, Attitude, Character, Educational Leadership, Encouragement, Expectations, Importance, Influence, Inspiration, Know Your Why, Leader, Leadership, Loyalty, Motivation, Passion, Relationships, Respect, Responsibility, Thankful, Transformational, Tribute, Value

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My first true encounter with Coach Stan Jones was in 1994, when I interviewed at Shoney’s with him to be his assistant basketball coach. We talked about basketball, life, and just about everything in between. Near the end of our conversation, he asked me one last question: “If you heard someone talking bad about us at a nearby booth, would you get up and say something to them?”

I told him I would.

When Coach Jones got into town this past Wednesday, we had supper together, and I reminded him of that interview. I told him I still did not know whether my answer to his question was what got me the job. He replied, “You got the job, didn’t you?”

Yes, Coach, I did, and all these years later, I am still grateful.

I have thought about that question many times since 1994, and I have used it in every interview I have been part of since. At first, I just wanted to see what people would say. Believe it or not, the way someone answers tells you quite a bit about them. I believe Coach Jones wanted to know whether I would stand up for the people I worked with and be loyal to the team. I went to Shoney’s hoping to get a coaching job, with no idea that I was also meeting someone who would influence me as a basketball coach, husband, dad, educator, and leader for the rest of my life.

The next evening, hundreds of people gathered at the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame to honor Coach Jones and raise money for the Sherard Shaw Foundation for Pediatric Cancer Research and the McLean Fletcher Center. His basketball coaching career gave everyone plenty to celebrate, and seeing so many people there showed how far his influence has reached.

Coach Jones’s coaching résumé is impressive. He led Jackson Academy to back-to-back overall state championships before coaching at the University of Miami, with the Washington Wizards in the NBA, at Mississippi State, and then for more than two decades at Florida State. In 2019, he was inducted into the inaugural class of the College Basketball Assistant Coach Hall of Fame. He has coached at levels most of us only watch from a distance. I admire those accomplishments, and I value what he taught the people who worked and played for him even more.

I can say without a doubt that Coach Jones is one of the best coaches I have ever seen. His playbook was about as thick as a Sears catalog and probably could have been used as a boat anchor. I studied it all the time because he expected every player to know not only what they were supposed to do, but what the other four players were supposed to do as well. He wanted us to understand how the whole team worked together.

Then there were his motivational talks. Listening to Coach Jones could give you chill bumps. His players would have run through a wall for him because they knew how much he believed in them and how much he expected of them. Even while challenging us to give our best, he showed us what servant leadership should look like, and was the model of what transformational leadership is.

Coach Jones knew far more than plays. Inside and outside the gym, he held people to high expectations and treated them with respect. He valued execution, and he valued the people doing the work. You never had to guess where you stood with him. He could be brutally honest, but he was fair, and he was willing to listen when you saw something differently. As a young assistant, I was learning how to coach basketball, and I was learning just as much about how to work with people.

Coach Jones would often say, “Be the best,” “Don’t stop believing,” and “Never forget where you came from.” I have carried those words with me long after my coaching days. They have encouraged me through challenges in education and leadership, and they have mattered at home as well. He pushed people to reach for more while reminding them to stay grounded and remember those who helped them along the way.

He also showed me how much a person can accomplish without holding the head coach’s title. Coach Jones had already been a successful head coach when he became a college assistant. For nearly three decades, he helped build programs, prepare teams, and develop players from that role. His example taught me to give my best to the work in front of me and to invest in the people beside me.

As a lifelong mentor, Stan has helped shape the future through the many people he has influenced. We need to remember the value of that kind of leadership and offer it to others. Leadership needs more people like Coach Stan Jones.

I have shared this quote from the movie The Emperor’s Club before, and I believe it speaks to Coach Jones’s influence too:

“A great teacher has little external history to record. His life goes over into other lives. These men are pillars in the intimate structure of our schools. They are more essential than its stones or beams, and they will continue to be a kindling force and a revealing power in our lives.”

I hope you have a mentor in your life like the ones I have had and still have. We need people who will invest in us, regardless of our age, so that we can invest in others. That is true in coaching, education, and every other part of life.

When I think back to that table at Shoney’s, I smile. I was in awe of Coach Jones then, and I was just beginning to learn who he was. His last interview question was about standing up for a team. His example over the years has taught me much more: to be dependable, to give my best, to keep believing, and to care for people beyond the role they play.

Coach Jones, thank you for giving me the job. Thank you even more for the conversations, the lessons, your example, and a friendship I will always value. I am a better person because our paths crossed. Seeing hundreds of people gather to honor him reminded me that many others could say the same. I hope I can pass along even a smidgen of the influence he has given me.

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…

©2026 J Clay Norton

Want more Leadership Thoughts? Follow me on… X @thebookchamber or on FaceBook at J Clay Norton or follow the blog directly.

What Is Your Foundation? For The New School Year?

07 Friday Aug 2026

Posted by in Christian Worldview, Conflict, Conversations, Conviction, Core Values, Education, Educational Leadership, Foundation, God, Jesus, Leader, Leadership, Preferences, Value

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Why Convictions Matter More Than Preferences

Well, the new school year has started for most. Some schools have been in session for three weeks, others have more recently. Colleges are about to kick off.  So, thank you for another year of being an outstanding educational leader…

Most mornings when I arrive at Belhaven, Dr. David Hand is already there. As soon as I open the door to the School of Education floor, I can smell the coffee. I put my satchel down in my office, grab my coffee cup, fill it up in the break room, walk into Dr. Hand’s office, and say, “Mornin’, Chief.”

Our coffee cups are filled and another conversation is about to begin.

Over the past few years, Dr. Hand has become one of those people whose wisdom continually challenges and sharpens my thinking about leadership, faith, and the foundations upon which we build our lives. We rarely have an agenda. Sometimes we talk about leadership. Sometimes it is education, theology, culture, or whatever happens to be on our minds. Sometimes we simply wrestle with ideas. We do not always agree, but we always seek to understand where the other is coming from. Anyway, the coffee gets us started, but it is the conversations that stay with me.

Recently, our conversation centered on the difference between convictions and preferences, and it was a good one. I chased that rabbit for the better part of a week. As I reflected on our conversation, it led me to think about two other distinctions: values versus core values and commitment versus surrender.

During our conversation, I was reminded of something my mentor, the great G, Dr. Gerald Hasselman, often said:

“Values are what you believe in. Core values are where you draw the line in the sand.”

I have quoted that statement for years because I have never heard anyone explain the difference more clearly.

Most people have values, I hope so anyway… Most schools have values printed in a handbook or displayed on a website. Core values are different. They are the beliefs that are not negotiable. They define who we are and establish the boundaries we will not cross. They answer the question, “Where do I draw the line?”

The more I thought about it, the more I realized the same distinction exists between commitment and surrender.

A commitment is important. It represents a promise or a course of action. But a commitment still leaves room for choice. Circumstances change. Priorities shift. A commitment can be abandoned.

Surrender is different.

When someone surrenders, the decision has already been made. There is no backup plan because there is no intention of turning back. Surrender becomes part of who we are.

As I reflected on these ideas, it became clear that values and core values, commitment and surrender, preferences and convictions are all asking the same question.

What is your foundation?

Every leader builds on a foundation. Some build on experience. Some build on public opinion. Some build on what appears to produce the best results. Those foundations may work for a season, but they often shift with culture, circumstances, and changing priorities.

The Christian leader has a different foundation.

Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 3:11, “For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”

That verse answers the question our conversation kept coming back to.

What is your foundation?

If Christ is truly our foundation, then our leadership cannot simply be based on what works. It must first be based on what is true. Our convictions are shaped by God’s Word, not by changing opinions or cultural pressure. Those convictions become our core values, and our core values shape the decisions we make every day.

As another school year begins, educational leaders will make hundreds of decisions. Most of them will never appear in a board meeting or become part of a strategic plan. They will happen in classrooms, hallways, faculty meetings, and private conversations. They will involve students, teachers, parents, and colleagues.

Those moments reveal far more than our leadership ability.

They reveal the foundation upon which we are building.

As you prepare for another school year, ask yourself a few simple questions.

  • What are my values?

  • More importantly, what are my core values?

  • Where have I drawn the line in the sand?

  • What have I merely committed to?

  • To what have I surrendered?

The answers to those questions will shape the kind of leader you become.

Strong leadership is not built on preferences. It is built on convictions. Convictions become our core values, and our core values guide our decisions. When those convictions are grounded in Jesus Christ, we have a foundation that will remain firm long after the excitement of a new school year has faded.

As educational leaders, we spend much of our time helping students build a foundation for their future. We encourage teachers to build strong classrooms, develop meaningful relationships, and create environments where students can flourish. We work with parents to build trust and strengthen our communities.

Before we can build in others, however, we must first examine the foundation upon which we are building ourselves.

When Jesus Christ is our foundation, convictions replace preferences. Core values replace convenience. Surrender replaces simple commitment. Our leadership is no longer shaped by the culture around us but by the Christ within us. That is the kind of leadership our schools need as another year begins.

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…

©2026 J Clay Norton

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

The Tension of Conflict and the Conflict of Tension…

31 Friday Oct 2025

Posted by in Adaptability, Adversity, Conflict, Education, Educational Leadership, Leader, Leadership, Tension, Useful, Value

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In all of society today, it seems, leaders regularly navigate both tension and conflict, and then, maybe some do not. While the two are often used interchangeably, understanding their distinct nature is key to sound leadership. I’m currently reading the leadership book, Pivot or Die, by Gary Shapiro. In it, Shapiro emphasizes adaptability and agility in leadership, arguing that in a rapidly changing environment, the ability to “pivot” is crucial. For educational leaders, this means recognizing which situations call for a strategic pivot, and distinguishing whether what is present is productive tension (a sign of potential) or entrenching conflict (a sign of breakdown).

Everyone wants a definition…

So, what is tension?

Tension refers to the healthy “stretching” that occurs when people or teams work toward a goal but face differing views, ambiguity, or high stakes. As I was searching for some thoughts about this, I found this in John Maxwell’s leadership blog¹: “tension is different than conflict because it’s a sliding scale… there are plenty of differing opinions, and often there’s even strong disagreement. Still, doors remain open and people continue to work together.” 

In an educational leadership school context, tensions might surface as teachers and administrators debate the role lesson plans actually serve, parents and staff disagree on what the yearly school schedule looks like, or what is the best way to integrate technology. The key point is that the parties remain engaged, their goals are broadly aligned, but the pathway is being contested.

And, what is conflict?

Conflict, by contrast, occurs when opposing parties hold different goals, values, or interests, and this is a big deal. The relationship is adversarial, Maxwell¹ also stated, “two people who simply cannot agree on something, or a circumstance with only two viable outcomes.” Conflict in schools arises when a teacher feels undermined by a leader’s directive, when staff and administration clash irreconcilably over discipline and dress code issues, or when stakeholder groups believe their core values are being threatened. Unlike tension, conflict tends to require decision-making, clear resolution, and often changes in relationship dynamics.

Why the distinction matters for educational leadership?

As leaders, recognizing the difference gives leverage, not to win per se, but to be used for the better good. Tension can be a resource, it can spark innovation, foster growth, challenge assumptions. If handled skillfully, tension allows an educational organization to pivot, adapt its position, refine its practices, and embrace transformational change. This directly echoes Shapiro’s focus on a pivot mindset: leaders who recognize forces of change and adapt rather than resist. On the other hand, conflict, if left unmanaged, can escalate into a stalemate, toxicity, or systemic dysfunction… ultimately derailing educational goals and harming the culture. 

So, how do we square that circle?

Practical implication

Regardless of the setting, when a leader senses disagreement or discomfort, questions need to be asked… “Are we together, working toward the same aim but challenged by complexity?” This would be tension. Or, “Are we opposed, with conflicting goals and deteriorating relationships?” This would be a conflict. If it’s tension, consider open dialogue, redistribute roles, encourage idea collision, and frame the challenge as “we’re stretching to improve.” If it’s a conflict, you may need clearer decision-making, realignment of purpose, or even personnel-level intervention.

If tension is the stretch, then conflict is the clash. As an educational leader, you can acknowledge and harness tension to pivot forward and intervene when conflict threatens to compromise your mission. When you lead with that awareness, your school community cannot only survive change but thrive through it. But remember, in the end, a decision has to be made and not making one is a decision. 

¹ Conflict vs. Tension: Do You Know the Difference? – John C. Maxwell | October 2, 2018

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…

©2025 J Clay Norton

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

“Don’t Just Tell Them Not to Forget… Tell Them to Remember”

17 Friday Oct 2025

Posted by in Culture, Educational Leadership, Intentional, Know Your Why, Leader, Leadership, Purpose, Remember, Value

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I am currently reading The Barn – The Secret History of a Murder in Mississippi by Wright Thompson. If you have not read the book, I highly recommend it. The book honors both personal heritage and the enduring lessons drawn from the story of Emmett Till that continue to shape the South’s identity and hope. On a personal note, as I mentioned to a friend the other day who is also reading the book, Chapter Two contains the best history of Mississippi that I have ever read or heard, encompassing many aspects of Mississippi history that I never learned in school. Throughout the book, a theme emerges that I keep seeing: “Don’t just tell them not to forget, tell them to remember.” As I reflect on this theme, I see how it highlights how often we tell people, “Don’t forget,” but rarely do we say, “Remember.” What a subtle difference, but a powerful one, especially in education and leadership.

“Don’t forget” is defensive. It’s a warning, a plea against loss. It assumes negligence and expects compliance. “Remember,” on the other hand, is invitational. It calls us to hold something sacred, to intentionally bring forward what matters most. One is about avoiding failure; the other is about preserving meaning. It’s about taking ownership of what we hold dear.

This idea of remembrance isn’t just philosophical, it’s timeless. Even in popular culture, echoes of this truth appear. In the movie 300, King Leonidas commands his soldiers, “Remember this day, men, for it will be yours for all time.” His charge was not merely about memory; it was about meaning. It was a call to anchor courage, sacrifice, and identity in something worth remembering. Later, as the lone survivor, Dilios fulfills his king’s final wish: “Remember us. As simple an order as a king can give. Remember why we died.” These lines capture the essence of remembrance as legacy, holding fast to what gives purpose to the struggle.

Educational leaders face this tension every day. General thoughts consist of… We are reminded not to forget deadlines, lesson plans, or data reporting, but do we invite educators to remember why they teach? We caution students not to forget assignments, but do we spend time helping them remember the joy of discovery, the dignity of effort, the wonder of learning? We are an integral part of this process, and our value lies within the core of how we help others connect their work to purpose. 

To “remember” is to root ourselves in purpose. It is to carry forward the lessons, values, and relationships that shape our work. I believe when we lead from a remembrance mindset, we help others reconnect with the “why” beneath the “what.” We help build and sustain cultures where the vision and mission are not just recited but recalled from personal experience, vividly and often. Remembering becomes intentional. 

This act of remembrance is also deeply rooted in Christian values at its core. Throughout Scripture, God continually calls His people to remember. “Remember the Lord your God” (Deut. 8:18). “Do this in remembrance of Me” (Luke 22:19). When we remember God’s faithfulness, we lead differently. We teach with patience, we listen with compassion, and we serve with humility. God knows that what we remember shapes what we value, and what we value directs how we lead.

So today, don’t just tell others not to forget. Tell them to remember. We all have the capability to instill this mindset in others around us. So, why not give it a try? 

So maybe the better question is not “What have we forgotten?” but “What must we remember?”

Remember the teacher who made a difference in your life, Remember the student who just needed one person to believe in them, Remember that education is a calling for you for our future, Remember who others are, Remember the One who called you, And in that remembering, remember to keep the heart of education alive…

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…

©2025 J Clay Norton

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