The words "School Strategic Plan" often strike fear in the heart of a head of school, principal, or superintendent because they've suffered through the nightmare of a planning approach that miserably fails to recognize and strengthen the complex relationships that comprise a school. 

Some management consultants think that a long weekend visit is all that's required to learn about your school and print a plan, but your work is more valuable than that. Your people deserve better!

I got that summertime, summertime gladness 

Su-su-summertime, summertime gladness 

Got that summertime, summertime gladness 
Oh, oh-oh, oh-oh

The summertime gladness of educators is extremely joyful this year, but also mixed with a curiosity about what's next. What questions will you pursue this summer to grow and achieve excellence? Start with these...

Educators are the ultimate "knowledge workers," unique in their ability to solve complex problems and develop new ways to enable growth.

Yet they continue to languish in an industrial approach to school leadership and design where the physical spaces, time schedules, and human dynamics stifle creativity and inspiration.

There is a better way!

I read lots of mission statements.
Perhaps that sounds a bit weird, but the mission statement can be an interesting view inside what's going on deep inside the organization.

The Piedmont School has a concise, clear, and compelling mission that really caught my attention during our Board and Leadership Retreat together over the weekend. 

The first quarter of 2021 is almost complete, and it's been a great start to what we believe will be one of the most exciting years in school leadership. 

You've been walking through a hard journey while carrying a heavy load, making it hard to look beyond the challenges of each day. Getting through it was a little easier when you kept your head down and just tried to put one foot in front of the other. 

Left, right. Left, right. Keep going ...

Undeveloped negotiation skills contribute to the downfall of too many educators, but these are skills that can be easily learned and mastered. You can be a problem solver who creates win-win conversations and agreements rather than competitive situations that force winners and losers.

Learn more about negotiating skills, exciting new technology solutions, and support for the self-managed head search.

What's your leadership report card for 2020 that will build confidence with your board, faculty, and families? 

Your communications about this year may say that you managed to survive--or you could demonstrate through the evidence of your data that you achieved your growth plan and are now ready to conquer 2021. 

Testing is a big deal these days. Testing for a contagious disease. Testing for student progress. How about a school ambassador test?

Your school needs board members, employees, families, and donors to test positive for willingly and energetically sharing your story with others. 

“Just like a bad relationship, our communication has broken down. You aren’t listening,” said Shawnee Mission School District teacher Amanda Coffman back in February 2020. 

Teachers across the U.S. have been saying the same thing to administrators and school boards for many years, and the volume is even louder now after the disruptions of the 2020 pandemic. 

"Are we supposed to be thoughtful or busy?"
That important question was asked by a board member at a recent Leadership Retreat we facilitated. Balancing activity with mindfulness will always be a challenge for school leaders, especially in times of such overwhelming change and fierce competition.