Tag Archives: Respect

The Double-Edged Sword of Transparency in Leadership

21 Friday Feb 2025

Posted by in Accountability, Actions, Authentic, Balance, Clarity, Clear, Decisions, Educational Leadership, Effective, Embrace, Honest, Leader, Leadership, Sacrifice, Transparent, Trust, Truth, Wisdom

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“You can’t handle the truth!” The famous line of Colonel Jessup in the movie A Few Good Men.

Transparency is one of the most valued traits in leadership, but it is also a paradox. We hear it thrown out all over the place – in corporate boardrooms, political speeches, and team meetings. We say leaders should be open, honest, and forthcoming. However, while most people claim they want transparency, the reality is far more complicated. When fully revealed, the truth can be uncomfortable, unsettling, and sometimes even disruptive. When trust is established, transparency thrives, making leadership stronger, relationships healthier, and organizations more effective.

At its core, transparency means sharing the full picture, hence the word of seeing it all, the victories, failures, opportunities, and obstacles. However, when the truth is inconvenient, many second-guess whether they truly wanted it. People want leaders to be open about challenges until those challenges require hard sacrifices. People want to know why decisions are made until they hear the reasoning and realize it contradicts their assumptions.

Leaders, therefore, are tasked with a delicate balancing act. If leaders are too guarded, they risk losing trust. If they are too open, they may incite panic or resistance. The solution lies in what I term responsible transparency. It’s about sharing enough truth to foster trust while also providing the wisdom and guidance needed to move forward productively. Transparency isn’t about unloading unfiltered reality onto people; sometimes, it’s simply too much to handle. Instead, it’s about leading through it with clarity and integrity.

Trust is a really big deal when it comes to transparency. Last fall, a good friend and mentor gave me a book by Stephen M. R. Covey, The Speed of Trust, and I highly recommend it. The book highlights how trust accelerates relationships, decision-making, and overall effectiveness. When leaders cultivate trust, transparency follows naturally, creating an environment where honesty is valued, not feared.

If we truly value and seek transparency, we must also be prepared to embrace the truth when it arrives. It may challenge our perceptions, force us to confront harsh realities or demand personal growth. But in the end, genuine transparency, embraced with courage, strengthens everything and everyone around, fostering healthier, more authentic leadership.

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.

Sometimes, your voice is loud enough, but a motion for a roll call vote goes unheard… HB1433 goes to the floor…

07 Friday Feb 2025

Posted by in Accountability, Actions, Choice, Clarity, Decisions, Distance, Education, Educational Leadership, Expertise, Fair and Equitable Education, Intentions, Leader, Leadership, Learning, Legislators, Public Schools, Purpose, School Choice, Teachers, Trust, Truth

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In any democratic process, transparency and accountability are fundamental. When these principles are sidelined, the integrity of governance is at stake. This past Tuesday, a recent incident in the House Education Committee highlights a disturbing trend in educational leadership: the refusal to allow a roll call vote on HB1433, the House bill for school choice/vouchers. Special thanks go to various educational groups who were at the Capital this past Tuesday and were able to report to the public what transpired through their social media. The quotes and summaries are credited to The Parents’ Campaign and Toren Ballard.

The House Education Chair recently acknowledged that legislators had received an overwhelming response from their constituents regarding HB1433, a bill concerning public and private school choice. He stated that representatives had received “millions of phone calls and texts” opposing the bill. Despite this, he urged committee members to vote in favor of it.

What followed was a clear case of leadership disregarding democratic norms. When the bill was put to a voice vote, the nays were audibly in the majority. Yet, the Chairman moved the bill forward to the calendar for a floor vote. When committee members requested a roll call vote to formally acknowledge each legislator’s stance, he refused, simply stating, “We aren’t going to have a roll call vote today. I’m sorry.” My questions are, “Why? What are we afraid of?” There needs to be an answer…

This refusal has significant consequences… By not allowing a roll call vote, the public is denied the opportunity to know how their legislators voted in the committee process. Why would you not want votes acknowledged? Obviously, some legislators wanted their votes made public… This lack of transparency prevents constituents from holding their elected officials accountable. The public has a right to know whether their representatives represent their interests or follow party directives. Some legislators may argue that their votes will be counted on the floor, which is when it really counts. A vote is a vote regardless of whether it is in committee or on the floor.

The role of education committees is to ensure policies that shape the future of our schools are debated and decided upon fairly. If committee leadership disregards established procedures to push forward bills with minimal scrutiny, it sets a dangerous precedent. And this is a rabbit hole worth going down… The legislative process should not be manipulated to silence opposition or fast-track controversial measures.

The implications extend beyond HB1433. Other bills have passed out of committee for this session hurt public schools. What did those votes look like? So, are we at the point where legislators will ignore overwhelming public opposition and silence dissent in committee meetings? What other policies might be passed without proper oversight? This alone is a crucial reason for us to remain engaged, follow along with bills that will affect society and our interests, and demand that legislative bodies operate with integrity.

This incident also underscores the importance of continued civic engagement. Regardless of what side of the debate you are on, your voice matters. As HB1433 moves to the House floor, where votes will be officially recorded, it is imperative to keep advocating for transparency, accountability, and fairness in the legislative process. As I have previously written in other blogs, educators know more about education than legislators do.

The “need” to silence roll call votes is more than a procedural issue. It is a deliberate act of disrespect to the democracy for which we have representatives. If legislators cannot be held accountable for their votes, then the very foundation of democratic governance is at risk. It is time for educational leaders and the public to demand better from those who say they represent our educational interests.

But I will close with this… Thank you to the House members who voted no on HB1435 yesterday. We know who you are and greatly appreciate you standing up for public education.

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.

Educational Leadership Insights: Mississippi HB1431 and the Complexity of Consolidating School Districts

31 Friday Jan 2025

Posted by in Decisions, Education, Educational Leadership, Fair and Equitable Education, Leader, Leadership, Legislators, Public Schools, Teachers

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Here’s the opening line to the summary of HB1431 – AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 37-7-103, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT FROM AND AFTER JULY 1, 2026, ALL MUNICIPAL SEPARATE, CONSOLIDATED, LINE CONSOLIDATED AND SPECIAL MUNICIPAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN EACH COUNTY SHALL BE ABOLISHED AND JOINED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE EFFICIENCY INTO A COUNTYWIDE SCHOOL DISTRICT WITH ONE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION AND ONE APPOINTED COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATION;

You can read the full bill here: HB1431

In summary, Mississippi HB1431 proposes the consolidation of school districts to align with county boundaries. Why is this even a thought? Simply, it’s a move designed to reduce administrative costs. While cost efficiency is a valid concern, which I am all for, educational leadership demands a deeper look and an analysis of how this change would impact education quality, community identity, and student outcomes. Since when has a “one-size-fits-all” solution remotely addressed and helped solve the complexities of education.

Mississippi’s school districts are as diverse as the communities they serve, each with unique needs and priorities, and there is something to be said about that. By merging districts of each county into a single school district per county, the state risks diluting local engagement and eroding the strong community ties that often fuel educational success. This potential loss of community ties is not just a statistic; it’s a disruption to the fabric of society. Smaller districts are often more malleable, agile, and capable of addressing localized issues, from personally knowing students, building relationships with families, and supporting sports success to how the bus routes work. All of these are unique to both rural and urban schools. Centralizing administration may lead to a “one voice,” and “cookie-cutter” approach, potentially overlooking the specific needs of smaller, less influential communities. In many areas of Mississippi, the school district is the entire community, and that matters to people.

Another concern is the disruption caused by consolidation. Think about what would need to happen to merge school districts… budgets, realigning leadership structures, transportation, athletics, teacher loads, and integrating differing organizational cultures can create chaos that undermines the core mission of educating students. Research has shown that while consolidation might reduce administrative costs, it does not always translate to improved educational outcomes. A study examining Arkansas’s mandatory consolidation policy found that such mergers had either no effect or only small positive impacts on student achievement. Other research by the Thomas B. Fordham Institute concluded that consolidation efforts yielded negligible or modest gains in academic performance.

And, if administrative efficiency is a concern as to why consolidation is needed, then let’s lower the percentage of administrative costs per district. Currently, school districts are required to keep administrative costs under a cap of 5% of the district’s total operating budget. The state average percent of total administrative costs is 3.32%. Let’s pass a measure that reduces administrative costs to 3.5%. I don’t know what the savings would look like, but we might be talking about real money sooner or later. 

Leaders must also consider the human cost; some things you cannot put a price tag on… Consolidation could result in job losses for local administrators, faculty, and staff, creating economic ripple effects in small communities. Moreover, parents and students may feel disconnected from a distant central office, reducing trust and collaboration. Sometimes, things are just too big; it is refreshing to know that doors are always open, phone calls are answered, and people are on a first-name basis.

Cost-saving initiatives are necessary, but leadership requires balancing fiscal responsibility with a commitment to student success. Education should be fair and educatable rather than broad consolidation. I would say that no one likes to have a school that looks like a corporation. Innovative approaches should be explored in schools, putting their money toward students and not so much administration and collaboration. It’s a way to achieve sustainable, meaningful education improvements that respect our communities’ unique needs and priorities.

And the final thought? What happens to the mascots and the school names? Who gets to keep and who loses theirs. Now, that’s an issue people will fight over…

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 Lost Art of Writing Thank You Notes…

10 Friday Jan 2025

Posted by in Appreciation, Educational Leadership, Effective, Gratitude, Intentional, Kindness, Leader, Leadership, Maturity, Professionalism, Relationships, Respect, Sincerity, Thankful

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In a world dominated by how people communicate… quick texts and emojis, Facebook Messenger, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, or if you are hanging on to your MySpace account, the timeless art of writing thank-you notes often feels like a relic of the past. Yes, I’m old school in many ways, but many things in life are timeless… some things just need to be practiced and maintained. Yet, the simple gesture of writing a thank you note carries profound meaning, connecting us to others in ways technology cannot replicate.

Many will say, “Thank you” upon receiving a gift, and that should be the correct response. However, a “thank you” is also a default response because it seems natural to say. Many people would say this is enough. Others will say that the recipient of a thank you note will just read it and throw it away. However, I believe these are misconceptions. Writing a thank-you note is not about the recipient’s reaction. It’s about the act of expressing your thoughtfulness and acknowledging the other person, which is always worthwhile. I guess my question is, “Why would you not?”

DALL·E 2025-01-09 10.14.23 - A nostalgic and elegant scene capturing the essence of writing thank-you notes_ a vintage wooden desk with a classic fountain pen, high-quality statio

Here’s why I believe reviving and writing thank-you notes is worth the effort, focusing on their personal touch, intentionality, expression of gratitude, and reflection of maturity.

Personal

A handwritten thank-you note is deeply personal; it is a reflection of you. Unlike generic messages or templates, it requires your time and thoughtfulness. The process of selecting stationery, coming up with the right words, and addressing the recipient shows you value the relationship. A thank you note may stir something and resonate emotionally, letting the recipient know they’re appreciated. You might not ever know what it will mean…

Intentional

Writing a thank-you note is an intentional act. It requires slowing down to reflect on what and why you are thankful for and how to express it meaningfully. This intentional approach goes against almost everything our digitized minds use with the instant gratification of modern communication. A thank-you note says, “I took the time to think about you,” which leaves a lasting impression.

Shows gratitude

At its heart, a thank-you note is a tangible carrier for gratitude. It conveys appreciation. Why? Normally, positive thought, effort, or care is behind a gift or gesture that someone gives. I believe this expression strengthens relationships, as it acknowledges and celebrates the kindness of others.

Maturity

Do not diminish this fact… Writing a thank-you note demonstrates an emotional maturity factor. It shows you understand the importance of recognizing others’ contributions and are willing to invest effort in maintaining meaningful connections. It’s a skill that transcends etiquette, reflecting character and integrity.

As I try to wrap my thoughts around which of the four is the most important…, I guess all four are needed to square the circle… Regardless, reviving the art of thank-you notes can transform relationships. It can bring warmth to a person and possibly to a world that often feels impersonal. As we know, too many people hide behind keyboards anyway…

Since we are coming out of the Christmas and holiday season, I reckon there has to be someone you can extend a thank you note to. All it takes is one note… A few heartfelt words on paper might seem small, but they carry immense power to foster connection and gratitude. To use the SEC words, “It just means more.”

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.