Some months ago I shared from a book given to me by Randy Etter, a fellow board member of the Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority. It was entitled "It's Your Ship" and was authored by Captain D. Michael Abrashoff, the former commander of the USS Benfold. In this book, there are great leadership principles and every person in a position of leadership should sit down and discover what made the USS Benfold a great ship.
Following "It's Your Ship," comes another book by Captain Abrashoff, this one entitled "It's Our Ship." I want to share some thoughts from this book, which is so insightful in making a ship, business, school district, church, or any other type of organization great. How about this:"Welcome people aboard before they are aboard." If you hire someone new, find a way to make them feel a part of the organization before they actually begin work. I liked this a lot: "Treat your people and your shipmates the way you would want your spouse or child treated in the workplace."
Here are some thoughts from the book that I have especially found helpful in leadership:
"Pick out promising people early."
"Whenever possible, develop leaders within their current jobs."
"Leading is largely people watching"
"Make truth-telling your own personal prerogative."
"Never let people know what you want to hear - they will tell you."
"The first law of leadership in today's world is to give people irresistible incentives to collaborate for a purpose that enhances everyone.
"The two big motivators in people's lives are love and respect."
"If you make an honest effort to build a relationship, they will cut you some slack even if you fumble once in a while."
That's a small sample of the many "goodies" found in "It's Our Ship." I recommend it highly to anyone who is in a position of leadership or aspires to be a leader.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Friday, July 11, 2008
WHY BE AN EDUCATOR IN THE PRESENT SYSTEM
Education is a difficult field in which to grow. The only one way to advance is controlled by the colleges and universities of America. That would probably be ok if the universities were making any advances in the field they control. So you want to teach, then you go to college, take your courses, get a degree and then you have to pass some kind of examination to get a job. A degree is not enough because the teaching in the university is not doing its job. Its a bit like Dirty Harry telling his supervisor that his mouthwash is not making it.
One of the depressing things about education is the lack of empowerment teachers receive from administrators. Administrators are limited as to the kind of positions they have in any school. The Board of Education approves the positions. If a teacher wants to move up, the question is "move up to where?" In elementary and secondary education the only up is (and that is debatable) is administration. What can a principal do to facilitate a move of that kind? The answer is not much because upward mobility is controlled by colleges and universities. No matter how great a person might be, he/she cannot move up because of the system. Because of this, many excellent teachers choose to move to another career. Even if he/she decides to go back to college and receive an administrative degree, participating in that requirement does not guarantee one will receive what is necessary to be successful.
Presently, teachers are their worst enemy. If you are a really great teacher, your salary is no better than the poorest teacher in a school. This is because of a salary schedule that is based on the number of years you have taught in a school system. I know that negotiations became a part of schools because of poor administrators. To date, there are probably more poor administrators in the field of education than any other field. I taught a class of teachers at a local university one evening and there were 28 teachers in the class from all over the greater St. Louis area. Not one of those teacher felt any kind of appreciation or empowerment from their principal. How can one grow in that kind of environment.
One thing would help. Administrators need to show appreciation to members of his/her staff. Tell them they are doing a great job if they are. Encourage them in any appropriate way. That would at least make the environment in their building one of happy feelings. Not much good teaching goes on in a bad environment. There should be a lot of smiles in a building. Now there is a novel thought that you will unlikely hear in an administrative class at the university
One of the depressing things about education is the lack of empowerment teachers receive from administrators. Administrators are limited as to the kind of positions they have in any school. The Board of Education approves the positions. If a teacher wants to move up, the question is "move up to where?" In elementary and secondary education the only up is (and that is debatable) is administration. What can a principal do to facilitate a move of that kind? The answer is not much because upward mobility is controlled by colleges and universities. No matter how great a person might be, he/she cannot move up because of the system. Because of this, many excellent teachers choose to move to another career. Even if he/she decides to go back to college and receive an administrative degree, participating in that requirement does not guarantee one will receive what is necessary to be successful.
Presently, teachers are their worst enemy. If you are a really great teacher, your salary is no better than the poorest teacher in a school. This is because of a salary schedule that is based on the number of years you have taught in a school system. I know that negotiations became a part of schools because of poor administrators. To date, there are probably more poor administrators in the field of education than any other field. I taught a class of teachers at a local university one evening and there were 28 teachers in the class from all over the greater St. Louis area. Not one of those teacher felt any kind of appreciation or empowerment from their principal. How can one grow in that kind of environment.
One thing would help. Administrators need to show appreciation to members of his/her staff. Tell them they are doing a great job if they are. Encourage them in any appropriate way. That would at least make the environment in their building one of happy feelings. Not much good teaching goes on in a bad environment. There should be a lot of smiles in a building. Now there is a novel thought that you will unlikely hear in an administrative class at the university
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
IT HAS BEEN AWHILE
June was a very interesting month for me. As I look back, I didn't get much done and I really didn't feel like blogging. The first Monday of the month, I went to a monthly breakfast for guys and gals who used to teach at St. Charles High School. That is always fun, but this time I learned that Jim Williams, the former and successful football coach at that school was really in the probable final stages of cancer. Jim has gone to Duke University at least twice to try new things related to treatment of cancer. I was told that the doctor told Jim that he had about a year to live. I have been praying for him for a long time and continue to do so.
After that, I had a muscle strain in my right shoulder that was painful and kept me from doing things and also from getting a good night's rest. After that calmed, suddenly my right foot was very painful. It felt like a sprain, but I could not remember doing anything that would cause that. Following several days of walking difficulty, as suddenly as it came, the pain was gone and I could walk normally.
Holly and her children then descended upon us in prelude to her brother-in-law getting married. It is interesting that the two Zabka boys grew up in California and both married girls from St. Charles. Small world. The boys were fun and Violet so cute, all three more than enjoyable. Our house was and still is a complete wreck, but Sue and I are enjoying the week together. Monday evening, we went to the Cardinals-Mets game and it was a great game and a glorious night. Hard to believe we are having resort weather in St. Louis the first week of July. After returning home, we went to bed, drained, totally exhausted, needing the great night's rest we received.
During all of this Sue's father was taken to the hospital. I stayed two nights with him in the hospital and that contributed to the tiredness that was almost overwhelming me.
Also, during this time, I was sick and Sue got mad at me. Her anger was not because I was sick, but because of the reason I was ill. I had not been taking the medicine prescribed by my cardiologist. She was mad, Holly was mad, Ed Watkins was mad, Ray Bayer was mad and Ed told me he was going to tell his wife and then she would be mad. Now I am taking my medicine to feel better and to escape the wrath of so many.
I have been reading a new book entitled "It's Our Ship" and will share some of the good things from this book at another time.
After that, I had a muscle strain in my right shoulder that was painful and kept me from doing things and also from getting a good night's rest. After that calmed, suddenly my right foot was very painful. It felt like a sprain, but I could not remember doing anything that would cause that. Following several days of walking difficulty, as suddenly as it came, the pain was gone and I could walk normally.
Holly and her children then descended upon us in prelude to her brother-in-law getting married. It is interesting that the two Zabka boys grew up in California and both married girls from St. Charles. Small world. The boys were fun and Violet so cute, all three more than enjoyable. Our house was and still is a complete wreck, but Sue and I are enjoying the week together. Monday evening, we went to the Cardinals-Mets game and it was a great game and a glorious night. Hard to believe we are having resort weather in St. Louis the first week of July. After returning home, we went to bed, drained, totally exhausted, needing the great night's rest we received.
During all of this Sue's father was taken to the hospital. I stayed two nights with him in the hospital and that contributed to the tiredness that was almost overwhelming me.
Also, during this time, I was sick and Sue got mad at me. Her anger was not because I was sick, but because of the reason I was ill. I had not been taking the medicine prescribed by my cardiologist. She was mad, Holly was mad, Ed Watkins was mad, Ray Bayer was mad and Ed told me he was going to tell his wife and then she would be mad. Now I am taking my medicine to feel better and to escape the wrath of so many.
I have been reading a new book entitled "It's Our Ship" and will share some of the good things from this book at another time.
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