Leadership-Everyday

In our leadership roles we often face push-back or resistance.  We call this headwind sometimes.  I do not sail, nor know much about it, but I quickly learned with a little study that sailboats can't proceed directly into a headwind.   Sailors know that to reach your destination one must follow a zig-zag pattern called tacking, to use that headwind.  And, through purposeful adjustment of the sails, steering, and staying alert to the conditions you can reach your goal.  It is a constant adjustment.  Just like sailing into a headwind, when a leader faces a challenge, a direct path is rarely successful.  We need to gather all our energy and resources, determine what is the best angle to proceed, adjust our course as we go and stay alert.  I was once tasked to develop a STEM program in our very large district (54 schools, 39,000 students) in the Spring of 2017.   I knew my destination; I had some resources and so off I went. ...

Leadership happens everyday from the time you wake, until you decide it is time to sleep.  Leadership is all about choices, and they are endless.  After nearly 25 years of being a leader in California public schools, being a father with my talented wife of 4, serving in various roles in my church, I know for certain that every one is a leader in one way of another. You are a leader regardless of your position, title, job, family status, etc..  You must first lead yourself. Your choices start when you get up each day.  It starts with your attitude toward your tasks, duties and the people you interact with in your life.  Your choices about your own health, diet, routines, your approach to your work, and how you use the same 24 hours a day that everyone else around you has. Many people just want to be lead, but the truth is, your life starts with you.  So to be a leader everyday, I recommend you take responsibility for your own actions and choices and start le...