The ABC’s of Educational Leadership Life as a Michigan Administrator… a.k.a. “What I wish someone would have told me 20 %$#& years ago!!!”

History Texts referenced Born in Minnesota Grew up in Alaska Good to Great - Jim Collins (Built to Last, How the Mighty Fall, & Great by Choice) The 4 Disciplines of Execution - Chris McChesney Decisive – Chip & Dan Heath The Ideal Team Player - Patrick Lencioni The Culture Map – Erin Meyer The 360* Leader, Intentional Living E.Q. 2.0 – Travis Bradberry The New Gold Standard: 5 Leadership Principles – Joseph Michelli (Horst Schultze story) The Influencer: The Power to Change Anything – Patterson, et.al. History Born in Minnesota Grew up in Alaska Went to college in Washington Started as a HS Math and ELA instructor in AK Taught and Coached multiple sports in rural Alaska before moving to MI in the 1990s Administrator in Grayling, Sault St. Marie, Reese, and Big Rapids Assistant Principal at MS level for four years, Principal at HS level two years, local Super for six years, ISD Super for twelve years

Learning Session Rules NONE! Interrupt Ask for an example Share an example Ask for clarification Ask a question At the end… Share with your neighbor Cry and give up… List 12 “Observations” – with caveats, angles, or tips Couldn’t think of 24! Not in any particular order (“A-L”) Not “Top 10” with David Letterman School of Hard Knocks Need parts of each Other Views?

Every word will be measured Think before you speak, write or send. Today’s technological world allows for personal, permanent, and perfect memory. Conversely, use technology to control the agenda and message through Twitter, Facebook, local news articles, websites, blogging, etc. One chance to make a first impression. Body language is just as important as words.

Leadership Requires Confrontation 1 Leadership begins with “no;” it’s easy to say “yes.” - TB Find your style and stick with it – be yourself. Never raise your voice in anger. Control the variables. If you don’t control the conversation/direction, someone else will – Power Vacuum.

Leadership Requires Confrontation 2 Everything of value is uphill work. - JM Don’t seek or relish conflict, but don’t also avoid – everyone is watching. Use your position to influence change – i.e. don’t let your legislators off easy. Perception is reality – Customers want “1) quality product, 2) on time, & 3) care” HS – Ritz – What’s your district/office perception?

Govern with your Keys on the Desk 1 Can’t be afraid to change jobs if necessary. Board of Education must know & relish their role. Lead from your heart’s convictions. Local politics must guide, but not consume. Let the Board see your human side.

Govern with your Keys on the Desk 2 Never compromise your principles. Success won’t be measure by answering the “haters.” T.J.J Keep your eyes on the goals on the district – that is your filter. Special interest groups will pressure you to accommodate them – don’t forget the other quiet 85% - be consistent. Keep your resume updated!

Keep a healthy work/family/hobby balance Learn to control stress: it is the number one contributor to your health. Develop connections outside of the educational world. Have fun, be fun! Get your education ASAP. Learn forgiveness – have a short memory. Self awareness is key to personal/job growth. – TB

You can’t change people You can only influence behaviors. RARELY hire someone back that leaves your system, especially if a bad exit. People are the only ones that can changes themselves. Use “Brutal Facts” when making decisions…. “he’s really nice, but…” Learn staff cultural, age grouping, and social norms. - EM

It takes a life time to build and 30 seconds to lose. Guard Your Reputation It takes a life time to build and 30 seconds to lose. Keep close staff relationships to a minimum and always be professional. Control as many variables as you can. Don’t lie: don’t have to remember what you said! O.K. to be vulnerable and show kinks in your armor.

Consistency Creates Momentum 1 Everyone must know the plan. - AM Over communicate the message. Use all forms of media to keep the message out front. Success breeds success – winners like to hang out with winners! Don’t have to be the smartest in the room.

Consistency Creates Momentum 2 Execution is harder than strategy. - CM Visions must connect to each other. Two three/five year goals – that’s it! KISS. Improve the most important parts and the ancillaries will improve – golf. Use Mission and Data to guide decisions and gauge progress.

Progress accelerates at the Hiring table 1 Hire the best, only. Repost – don’t settle. You change culture one hire at a time. Call references NOT on the resume’. Your staff members are the best recruiters.

Progress accelerates at the Hiring table 2 Careful on delegation – gate-keeper 2nd most important position in district. Provide quality mentoring connections for the new hires. Build a culture that allows for failure. Stay away from hiring “outside” coaches Set up systems to meet new employees to reinforce vision/mission.

Evaluate with Purpose 1 Spend as much time with “evaluation out” as building up – especially early. Praise with the tongue, criticize with the pen on “out” evals. If it isn’t in the file, it didn’t happen. Never remove discipline from the file.

Teach evaluation skills to your admin team, don’t assume. Evaluate with Purpose 2 Teach evaluation skills to your admin team, don’t assume. Timelines are blessing for progress, a curse if you miss them. Summarize deficiencies in the eval if not in the file: need a note somewhere. Ideal Team Players: “Humble, Smart, Hungry.” – PL

Develop the Next Generation of Leaders Some leaders are born, but most are made. Look/ask/seek for leadership potential in-house. Provide opportunities/systems for leadership and growth. Honor tradition – develops pride in the millennials. Use current leaders are mentors for future generations.

People 1st for Sustained Success 1 Each person must be hired, encouraged, trained, and supported. Develop feedback mechanisms for system weaknesses. Provide hand-written notes of encouragement/support. Empower Admin team for multiplication.

People 1st for Sustained Success 2 Spend as much time/resources as necessary to remove cancer. Equal treatment for all/no side deals. Opportunity and encouragement are motivators, not $. - DP Consistency in practice encourages faith in system and its purpose. All about relationships: 1) Like me? 2) Help me? 3) Can I trust you? - JM

Keep Board Of Education at Arms Length 1 Professional relationships are the best relationships. Keep Board President the closest. Use e-mail system to keep Board informed equally: send to all. Use outside service/ISD if Board is new and/or out of control. No Board meetings after the Board meeting.

Keep socialization outside of work to a minimum. Keep BOE at Arms Length 2 Keep socialization outside of work to a minimum. Meet with individual Board members at least once/twice a year. Avoid the appearance of favoritism. Control as many variables as possible. $ controls 51% of your survival. (The record of the football team controls the other 49%!)

Share… Questions? cfinch@moisd.org Curtis Finch, PhD Mecosta Osceola ISD www.moisd.org Big Rapids, Michigan 231-796-3543