I first read Drive by Daniel Pink about ten years ago. At the time, I was thinking about it mostly as a parent and a teacher, and it gave me language for something I had seen but had not been able to name. Rewards and punishments only go so far. Lasting motivation comes from somethingContinue reading “What Drives Us”
Category Archives: Leadership
Slowing Down on Purpose
A teacher friend recently let me borrow a copy of The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer, and it’s one of those books that calls for some action. The message is deceptively simple: hurry is not just a scheduling problem. It’s a spiritual one. And it’s hurting us more than we realize. WeContinue reading “Slowing Down on Purpose”
More Than the Right Words
Reading Think Faster, Talk Smarter by Matt Abrahams reminded me that good communication is not just about what you say. It’s about how you make people feel while you’re saying it. One of the final ideas in the book stood out more than any technique or structure: “People do not remember every word you say.Continue reading “More Than the Right Words”
It’s Not Your Job to Have All the Answers
The author reflects on “Radical Candor” by Kim Scott, emphasizing that effective leadership involves fostering collaboration rather than simply providing answers. By shifting from directing to guiding and prioritizing listening, principals can create a supportive environment. They intend to frame future discussions around helping staff perform their best work.
People Change
Earlier this year, at the recommendation of a good friend, I read The Many Lives of Mama Love by Lara Love Hardin. It’s one of those memoirs that doesn’t follow a straight line. It’s jagged. Raw. Funny when it shouldn’t be. Honest when it would have been easier not to be. Hardin was a suburbanContinue reading “People Change”
Superblooms and Coaching
It was a typical fall sports coaches’ meeting, with 20 or so coaches sitting around the library discussing athletic clearance, first aid kits, concussions, field trips, and attendance on game days. The meeting felt mostly informational. I had a small section on the agenda where I would share my expectations (as the principal) for theContinue reading “Superblooms and Coaching”
Racial Bias in Parent Communication
Several months ago I completed a quick online test from Project Implicit that was designed to measure implicit stereotyping and biases. The process was really thought-provoking and it led to several good conversations with colleagues about how we interact with students. One thing that I hadn’t considered at the time was how dramatically an educator’sContinue reading “Racial Bias in Parent Communication”
What’s your passion?
We talked about the makings of a great leaders this week. The discussion started with an examination of James Kouzes and Barry Posner’s list of “Ten Truths About Leadership.” The truths they list are helpful but not surprising. They mention things like believing in yourself, building credibility, developing relationships, sticking to you values, etc. AsContinue reading “What’s your passion?”
Another List – Teacher Traits
I had fun writing last week’s list but I didn’t think that I’d make a habit of it. But then someone posed this question yesterday to a group of educators I’m a part of: “What traits make up a good teacher?” If this doesn’t lend itself to another list, I don’t know what does. TheContinue reading “Another List – Teacher Traits”
Teaching on purpose
My 9 year old is obsessed with soccer right now. It seems like he’s constantly dribbling a ball around the house, trying new moves to get by his brothers and sister, passing the ball off the walls over and over, and seeing how many times he can juggle the ball without it touching the ground. Continue reading “Teaching on purpose”
Mr. Zerwas Teaches Here 