ASCD conference #2
Comments: 0 - Date: March 27th, 2008 - Categories: Education related
Surviving the Stresses of School Leadership by John Blaydes
3 ideas: Resiliency, Renewal, Reflection
It basically came down to “take time for yourself.”
Resiliency: Everything you do must align with the school’s vision. If it doesn’t, don’t do it. This reminds me of something in Made to Stick. Southwest Airlines’ motto is the low cost airline. The story is that one person went to the head honcho about serving food, which the customers would like. Mr. Honcho asked if it would make them the low cost airline. The answer was no, so they didn’t do it. Your Actions>Priorities>Plan of Action>School Goals>School Vision. Another idea: delegate, don’t dump. GO HOME!
Renewal: “Effective leaders find joy in their jobs.” Find something/someone that inspires you and look to it daily. Focus on what’s right, not what’s wrong. “The only difference between a rut and a grave is the depth of the hole.” -
Reflection: Make an appointment with yourself for quiet time and don’t let anyone interrupt. Remember why you’re there. “Children are a living message to the future we’ll never see.”
Blaydes’ books: Survival Skills for the Principalship, The Educator’s Book of Quotes
