Category Archives: Value

“Asset-based narrative” – It’s what we need in educational leadership for our schools…

25 Wednesday Jun 2025

Posted by in Accountability, Achieve, Actions, Advice, Appreciation, Attention, Choice, Culture, Education, Educational Leadership, Effective, Emotion, Emotional Temperature, Empower, Encouragement, Expectations, Idealist, Importance, Know Your Why, Leader, Leadership, Students, Teachers, Trust, Value

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I was sitting in on a dissertation defense a few weeks ago, and the phrase “asset-based narrative” came up. This phrase, it got my head tingling, and I began to think about a connection to educational leadership. So, here’s what I came up with…

In education, leadership is not about what we meant to do, it’s about what we actually do. Good intentions are noble, but outcomes are what matter. Our schools, communities, and students live in the reality of our actions, not in the shadows of our intentions. That’s why we must begin to define leadership through an “asset-based narrative,” one that sees strength, not deficiency, and leads through what is possible rather than what is lacking.

Society often pressures leaders to control the narrative. Headlines, social media, and political climates push school leaders to respond quickly, to spin, to protect optics. But real leadership resists this impulse. True leadership defines the narrative… rooted not in fear or reaction but in clarity, purpose, and evidence of care. It says: “Here is who we are, what we value, and how we’re building something better.”

An “asset-based narrative” invites us to lead through celebration and contribution. It shifts our focus from what educators or schools “aren’t doing” to what they are accomplishing against real odds. It sees teachers as resilient, students as capable, and communities as partners. It reframes setbacks as opportunities to grow, not indictments of failure.

When we define the narrative, we move from defense to offense. We stop chasing reputations and start building legacies. And we do so by aligning our actions with what we say we believe. Because in education, as in life, leadership isn’t measured by the stories we wish had been told, it’s measured by the stories we choose to write with courage, consistency, and hope.

The question is not, “What did we mean to do?” The question is, “What did we do, and how did it build a better story for those we serve?” I think it’s worth taking a look at to see if we can find and define more of what we do in education based on the thought of “an asset-based narrative.”

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.

Knowledge by acquaintance leadership – Boots on the ground, sleeves rolled up, get in the trenches, and get dirty…

02 Friday May 2025

Posted by in Acquaintance, Actions, Christian Worldview, Classroom Leadership, Description, Education, Educational Leadership, Empathy, Encouragement, Inspiration, Knowledge, Leader, Leadership, Listening, Teachers, Trust, Uncategorized, Understanding, Value, Wisdom

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This past week, I finished reading The Beauty of Divine Grace by Gabriel N .E. Fluhrer. In chapter five, Fluhrer cites Bertrand Russell’s famous distinction between knowledge by acquaintance and knowledge by description with the following thought by Fluhrer…

“If we know God’s providence, only by description, if all we possess is a secondhand knowledge of it, we will acknowledge His providence but we will not fall in love with it. If, on the other hand, we know God’s providence by acquaintance, we have fallen in love with the God of the sun and the storm, we will not have just intellectual ascent to his providence. We will also have a deep affection for the incomparable, glorious, sovereign God.”¹

Fluhrer’s quote should be a great perspective for our Christian Worldview, and Russell’s distinction is so simple and profound for leadership. Knowing something through description is entirely different from knowing it through personal experience, and that’s where I believe we have a problem with leadership today, and it got me thinking…

In a world overflowing with topical books, theoretical knowledge, or secondhand “expertise,” many leaders operate solely with knowledge by description. They make decisions based on what they have read or seen, reports, analytics, someone else’s summaries, or better yet – what they have been told. While this type of knowledge is valuable and needed to make informed decisions (think data-driven decision-making), it can never replace the deep understanding that comes through direct engagement.

Strong leadership requires knowledge by acquaintance. I call it “boots on the ground, sleeves rolled up, get in the trenches, and get dirty leadership.” Leaders must be familiar with the real dynamics of their leadership roles, how they transcend to the team they represent, and their assigned tasks. It’s a contrast between the true challenges of any organization and the difference between a manager/boss who reads about what the mission is and a leader who spends time alongside their teams, listening, learning firsthand, and working.

Here is what experience does… it helps others, it builds credibility, it shapes judgment, it fosters empathy, it creates understanding. Leaders who only rely on knowledge by description risk becoming detached, making decisions that sound good on paper but fail in practice because they have never been in the trenches with those they lead. Those with direct acquaintance, however, lead with wisdom rooted in reality.

It seems that most people today want and reward quick knowledge over deep understanding. But enduring leadership, the kind that builds trust and achieves lasting success, comes from leaders willing to engage personally, take risks, and learn through experience. They get dirty in the practice of acquaintance.

True leadership isn’t about knowing of the path; it’s about walking it and helping others do the same.

¹Fluhrer, G. N. E. (2022). The beauty of divine grace. Ligonier Ministries.

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.

The Educational Need To Return To Educating The Whole Child…

28 Friday Mar 2025

Posted by in Educational Leadership, Knowledge, Leader, Leadership, Learning, Purpose, Students, Teachers, Testing, Useful, Value, Whole, Wisdom

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This might be a controversial blog post, depending on where you land with the following thoughts, and that’s ok…

Education was once about cultivating the whole child, nurturing intellect, creativity, character, and critical thinking through a well-rounded liberal arts approach. However, this vision has been overshadowed by overemphasizing standardized testing in recent decades. The goal was to produce workers and cultivate virtuous, thoughtful citizens who could engage the world with wisdom and integrity. Schools now prioritize data-driven performance (which is neither wrong nor bad) over holistic development, often at the expense of creativity, curiosity, and a love of learning, by narrowing the focus to what is easily measurable rather than truly meaningful.

Educating the whole child recognizes that education is not just about producing test scores but about shaping individuals to be well-rounded, who can think critically, communicate effectively, and contribute meaningfully to society. Subjects like music, art, philosophy, and history were once considered essential in developing a student’s ability to analyze, innovate, and understand the world. In today’s educational setting, these subjects are frequently marginalized as schools spend more time and resources preparing students for high-stakes tests in various subjects.

The educational shift that we have now embraced has consequences. Many teachers feel pressured to “teach to the test,” limiting the depth and breadth of instruction and missing out on many teachable moments. So much of education now has students who experience anxiety and burnout, seeing education as a series of hurdles rather than a discovery journey, leading to creativity and problem-solving. The journey of discovery highlights intellectual, physical, spiritual, and social growth, each essential to the definition of educating the whole child. When education neglects these essentials, it fails to prepare students for a life of service, leadership, and moral responsibility, where in an ever-changing world, these vital skills to function in society are taking a backseat to memorization and test strategies.

Education, now and in the future, needs a teaching environment that can complement the shift we have now gone to in education. A shift that can ensure students they are not just test-takers but also promote and encourage them to become thinkers, creators, and lifelong learners. A balance is needed where we continue to provide opportunities for students to engage in lessons that promote the arts, explore humanities, and develop emotional intelligence. Returning to whole-child education does not mean that education must abandon accountability; it allows redefining it.

Is education more than test scores? I believe it is. Education should be about shaping individuals who can engage meaningfully with the world, to become productive citizens in a society that needs some resemblance of what is right. Students are not just future employees but whole persons with souls that need nurturing.

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.

Leading with Intensity or Intentionality… Which One?

25 Friday Oct 2024

Posted by in Accountability, Actions, Align, Christian Worldview, Clarity, Culture, Decisions, Educational Leadership, Empower, Hope, Intensity, Intentional, Intentions, Know Your Why, Leader, Leadership, Learning, Mixed Signals, Opportunity, Relationships, Servant, Sincerity, Trust, Understanding, Unity, Useful, Value, Vision, Wisdom

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We see it almost every game in the world of sports… One word, intensity. On the other hand, we see the opposite, a stoicism of intentionality. As a former basketball coach, I get it… the need to motivate, fuss, correct, celebrate, etc. However, I became a better coach when I tapered off those moments of intensity. One of my coaching mentors, Stan Jones, told me once, “If you fuss and holler all the time, when you actually need to, the players will not know the difference.” I would give that same advice to young coaches now. I would also give it to all those at any leadership level.

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In leadership, the allure of leading with intensity is often strong. We live in a fast-paced world where results are expected quickly, and leaders usually feel pressured to drive people hard, pushing toward ambitious goals and maintaining relentless focus on outcomes. However, while it can achieve short-term gains, leading with intensity often leads to burnout, poor decision-making, and a gradual erosion of a positive culture over time. Every leader should be aware of these negative characteristics.

Leading with intentionality offers a more sustainable and effective approach. Think of it as a natural resource. When leaders are intentional, they focus on achieving goals and how those goals are pursued. Intentional leaders lead with clarity of purpose, ensuring that every decision aligns with the broader mission and values that determine who they are and who the organization is. Rather than pushing with an intensity of negativity and possible belittlement, intentional leaders take a step back to ensure engagement, support, and empowering others to become the standard. Intentional leadership prioritizes the why behind our actions rather than just the how or what, inspiring a sense of purpose and motivation. This fosters a culture of trust and collaboration, seeking results and holistic growth, encouraging personal development, and an opportunity for people to flourish.

While intensity might fuel a leader in moments of crisis or during short bursts of effort, I do not believe it should be a defining style. Leaders who consistently lead with intensity often need to catch up on the nuances that lead to lasting success. Intentionality, however, brings balance, purpose, and foresight, ensuring that both the leader and their team can sustain high performance over time. It would almost allow others to believe you are clairvoyant… 🙂 

From a Christian Worldview perspective, leading intentionally means listening, adapting, and seeking God’s wisdom in decision-making. This doesn’t necessarily mean waiting for divine intervention but rather using the principles and values found in the Bible to guide your leadership. Leadership rooted in intentionality reflects the servant-leader model of Christ, one that brings glory to God and leaves a lasting impact on the hearts of those we serve.

In the end, it’s not about how loudly or forcefully you lead; it’s about how wisely you guide others toward a shared vision. I have seen and been around many leaders of both styles and there is a drastic difference.  

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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