Leadership Archives - The Torchbearer

Badging / Maker Movement Posted on: June 13, 2016June 13, 2016

A Full Day

A Full Day Started the day with a fantastic Middle School Admin Team Retreat, followed by an incredible Maker session where I learned about the Studio(i) experience, designed and printed using the laser cutter, and earned a badge! It was a fantastic turn out and professional learning event considering it is summer time. Next, I went to training session for this week’s Fuse conference with the fantastic Red Team followed by a fun team dinner at Village Burger. Finally, I ended the day by reading to each of my children and going for a night walk and swim. Blessed.

Leadership Badge Series

Leadership Badge Series Here is a badge design I am experimenting with as a way to show appreciation and recognition for leadership. This badge does not have a ‘submit evidence’ but it is awarded by me or it has the ‘nominate a peer’ option. This is the first in a series of leadership badges I will design and issue. What do you think?

Book Review / Leadership Posted on: October 25, 2015October 25, 2015

Great by Choice

Great by Choice In preparation for an upcoming executive team meeting, our team read chapter 2 of Jim Collins’ book ‘Great by Choice.’ The introduction was particularly fun to read as it compared two expedition team leaders – Roald Amundsen and Robert Falcon, in their preparation and pursuit of being the first to reach the South Pole. ‘One leader led his team to victory and safety. The other led is team to defeat and death. What separated these two men? Some favorite quotes: ‘You don’t wait until you’re in an unexpected storm to discover that you need more strength and […]

Delegation / Leadership Posted on: October 5, 2015

4 Levels of Delegation

4 Levels of Delegation by Andy Stanley with Gavin Adams Notes from the Podcast Investigation “I just want you to go find out some things. Research. Gather info. Bring it back to me or our team. Don’t do anything about it yet. Informed Progress I have a project/task for you. I want to give you something to own, but we’re going to have regular conversations about it, so that I can stay updated and be available to help you through the process. Not to micro-manage, but understand your needs and how to help. Informed Results Fantastic opportunity to own, do it […]

Leadership / Organization & Time Management Posted on: July 21, 2015July 21, 2015

Clutter Comes From Indecisiveness

Recently, I signed up for a series of webinars through The Principal Center. In the constant pursuit of greater organization and more effective workflow, I’m excited to learn more about how to improve some of my work habits. So excited, in fact, I want to share… The 5 key benchmarks that can dramatically increase your capacity to manage the work of leadership: Keep your desk clear Keep your inbox empty Work from your leadership agenda Keep your to-do list up to date Follow your calendar

Book Review / Innovation / Leadership / Professional Learning Posted on: June 17, 2014January 25, 2015

Scaling Up Excellence – Notes from Chapter 1

It’s a ground war, not just an air war. (Going slower to scale faster – and better – later.) The Problem of More = Executives can point to pockets in their organization where people are doing a great job of uncovering and meeting customer needs. There was always some excellence – there just wasn’t enough of it. How do you spread that excellence to more people and more places? We’ve identified 7 reliable signs that scaling is going well or badly… 1. Spread a mindset, not just a footprint. Distributing your banner and logo far and wide vs. having a […]

Leadership Posted on: August 2, 2013

#20 Bringing My Heart

One of the best books I’ve read this summer is Boundaries for Leaders by Dr. Henry Cloud. In fact, it’s so good, I’m not finished yet. I’m fascinated by the ideas Dr. Cloud writes about leading so brains can work. “In brain terminology, executive functions are needed to achieve any kind of purposeful activity – such as reaching a goal, driving a vision forward, conquering an objective. Whether driving a car or making and selling cars, the brain relies on three essential processes: Attend to important data: the ability to focus on relevant stimuli. Know your speed, what lane you are […]

Coaching & Feedback / Inspiration / Leadership / Reflective Practice / Teamwork Posted on: July 1, 2013October 24, 2015

What Swimming Taught Me About Leadership

What Swimming Taught Me About Leadership Be the first one off the blocks “Swimmers take your mark. Bang!” Any swimmer will tell you that in a race, every detail matters. The start, the turn, the position of your body are all critical to keeping the edge you need to win a close one. Swimmers are fanatics. We shave our arms, legs, and heads just to shave one second of our fastest time. Your first and best chance to win a race is to be the first one off the blocks and into the water. It takes a lot of practice, […]

Leadership / Organization & Time Management / Teamwork Posted on: June 29, 2013October 24, 2015

The Team You’re On vs. The Team You Lead

The Team You’re On vs. The Team You Lead Last summer our leadership team read The Advantage by Patrick Lencioni and the quote below has stuck with me ever since. I will confess, I have not been as strongly committed to this ideal as I feel I should be. “The team you belong to must come ahead of the team you lead: this is putting team results (e.g., organizational needs) ahead of individual agendas (e.g., the team or division you lead).” – Patrick Lencioni I love the people I work with. I love my team and my teammates. I feel a […]

Organization & Time Management Posted on: June 26, 2013June 26, 2013

#2 Introducing Your Newest Team Member: Gandalf

Organizing and improving all of the goals, events, reflections, feedback, ideas, touch points, and priorities that occur in the life of a school from year to year is like drinking from a fire hose. I am constantly seeking out new ways to be more effective and efficient at managing and leading. This Spring I had a breakthrough. In the summer of 2005, I took a week long course at Oglethorpe University through the College Board for certification to teach AP World History. The instructor was Larry Treadwell. I will never forget him. In one week, my approach to teaching was […]