Making Your Mark as a Leader!

Warm Up…Just Like Me! Stand up and say, Just like me! if these statements reflect your thinking. Ive been married for less than a year and my husband is still perfect! Ive been married for less than a year and my husband is still perfect! Ive been married for over ten years and recognize hell never put the seat down! Ive been married for over ten years and recognize hell never put the seat down! I have a new baby and celebrate that she/he is a total joy. I have a new baby and celebrate that she/he is a total joy. I have a teenager and look forward to celebrating when he/she leaves home! I have a teenager and look forward to celebrating when he/she leaves home! Im a grandma/pa…want to see pictures? Im a grandma/pa…want to see pictures?

Warm Up…Just Like Me!- cont. I wish caffeine were available in intravenous form. I wish caffeine were available in intravenous form. I wish I could clone myself so I could actually get my job done! I wish I could clone myself so I could actually get my job done! I know Im in for it when my boss calls me and says, I have a great idea for us to try! It will be such fun! I know Im in for it when my boss calls me and says, I have a great idea for us to try! It will be such fun! I believe working to ensure that there are high quality programs for young children is some of the most important work one can do. I believe working to ensure that there are high quality programs for young children is some of the most important work one can do.

What makes a leader? Look around the room and identify someone you consider a leader. Look around the room and identify someone you consider a leader. When we count to three, be prepared to point to that person. When we count to three, be prepared to point to that person.

Leadership is closer than you think… Its everyone in this room!

Leadership happens… At the top of an organization At the top of an organization In the middle of an organization In the middle of an organization At the bottom of an organization At the bottom of an organization

Good to Great Principles

Get the right people on your bus! First who…getting the right people on the bus First who…getting the right people on the bus Then what – figuring out where to drive it Then what – figuring out where to drive it People are not your most important asset…the RIGHT people are! People are not your most important asset…the RIGHT people are! Whether someone is the right person has more to do with character traits and innate capabilities than with specific knowledge, background, or skills. Whether someone is the right person has more to do with character traits and innate capabilities than with specific knowledge, background, or skills.

Character is not what youre doing when you think others are looking; its what youre doing when no one is watching.

Think about a person you know who has had a huge impact (positive or negative) on your life and why. Share why you would or Share why you would or would not want this person would not want this person to be on your bus. to be on your bus.

Are you a fox… or a hedgehog?

Let us tell you a little story… Let us tell you a little story…

The fox knows many things, but the hedgehog knows one big thing. Ancient Greek parable

The fox is a cunning creature, able to devise a variety of complex strategies for sneak attacks upon the hedgehog. Day in and day out, the fox circles around the hedgehogs den, waiting for the perfect moment to pounce. Fast, sleek, beautiful, fleet of foot and crafty – the fox looks like the sure winner.

The hedgehog, on the other hand, is a dowdier creature. He waddles along, searching for lunch and taking care of his home.

The fox waits in silence at the juncture in the trail. The hedgehog, minding his own business, wanders right into the path of the fox. The fox leaps out, bounding across the ground, lightning fast. The little hedgehog, sensing danger, looks up and rolls into a perfect little ball and becomes a sphere of sharp spikes, pointing outward in all directions.

The fox sees the hedgehogs defense and calls off the attack. Retreating back into the forest, the fox begins to calculate a new line of attack.

Each day, some version of this battle between the hedgehog and the fox takes place and despite the greater cunning of the fox, the hedgehog always wins!

Foxes pursue many ends at the same time and see the world in all its complexity. They are scattered or diffused, moving on many levels, never integrating their thinking into one overall concept or unifying vision. Hedgehogs simplify a complex world into a single organizing idea, a basic principle or concept that unifies and guides everything.

Why hedgehogs? Hedgehogs understand that the essence of profound insight is simplicity. Hedgehogs understand that the essence of profound insight is simplicity. Hedgehogs simplify a complex world into a single organizing idea, a basic principle or concept that unifies and guides everything. Hedgehogs simplify a complex world into a single organizing idea, a basic principle or concept that unifies and guides everything. Hedgehogs see what is essential and ignore the rest. Hedgehogs see what is essential and ignore the rest. Sometimes simple is best! – Occams Razor Sometimes simple is best! – Occams Razor

NOW…are you a fox… or a hedgehog?

Be a Hedgehog! The moral of the story is…focus, focus, focus! The moral of the story is…focus, focus, focus! Its a good thing! Its a good thing!

Windows and Mirrors Windows and Mirrors Being accountable as a leader Being accountable as a leader Being reflective when things go awry Being reflective when things go awry Giving credit to others when things go right Giving credit to others when things go right

Windows and Mirrors Windows and Mirrors When things are wonderful… Great leaders look out the window and give credit to those around him/her Great leaders look out the window and give credit to those around him/her When things go awry… Great leaders look in the mirror and ask, What could I have done differently? Great leaders look in the mirror and ask, What could I have done differently? Ineffective leaders do just the opposite

You can accomplish anything in life provided that you do not mind who gets the credit. Harry S. Truman Harry S. Truman

When to look in a mirror; when to look out a window… Look in your mirror and talk about a time when things went awry and you were self-reflective. Look in your mirror and talk about a time when things went awry and you were self-reflective. Look out your window and talk about a time when you gave credit to someone else when things when well. Look out your window and talk about a time when you gave credit to someone else when things when well.

Putting it all together… The Dot The Dot by Peter Reynolds

Now its time for you to make your mark… Based on what you heard today, think about a change you want to make that will make you a better leader. Based on what you heard today, think about a change you want to make that will make you a better leader. Write it down on the paper. Write it down on the paper. Now…sign it! Now…sign it! Seal it in the envelope and address it to yourself! Seal it in the envelope and address it to yourself!

The End!