Inception is one of my favorite movies not only because it is highly engaging and well produced – it also references the idea of each person needing a totem. For the characters in the movie, they employ a totem so that they know whether they are still dreaming or not. The idea is to always carry something simple with them so that they can take a potentially complex issue (asleep or awake) and solve it by using a simple item.
Occam’s Razor. KISS. Robert Fulghum. These three ideas or people are what serve as my totem and often help me recover as a leader. They do this by reminding me that the ability to hear, understand, reflect, and address/solve a problem or issue is usually completely within my zone of influence. Occam’s razor is a philosophical principle that says that the least complicated explanation is usually the correct one. KISS is a reminder to Keep It Simple Stupid! And Robert Fulghum is the author of All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten, the book that reminds me of both the previous ideas – namely that, at its truest essence, any idea/concern can be resolved by utilizing a concept I learned long ago.
This month as a member of the #CompelledTribe, we were asked to share a book, or multiple books, that influence our work and that we would recommend. AIRNTKILIK is such the book for me as it has always served as a powerful reminder that when dealing with people – which is what we do all day every day – so much of what we learned as a young person can still serve us well. My tattered copy that stays nearby was a high school graduation present, and it became a life lesson piece for my family moving forward. Some of the reminders are timeless:
While many of these remain aspirational – still no cot in my office – I do try and embrace the others when interacting with others (both while wearing my principal hat or my parent hat). And as a leader, I have literally and metaphorically grabbed on to this advice as it reminds me that at our core, each faculty and staff member made a decision to step in to a classroom or school where children are in need of so much. And often what they need, what we all need, is simply hope. The idea that things can be better. Complication does not usually inspire. Simplicity does.
Finally, I would add that a large part of what we do in leadership is connected to the stories we share. Creating a narrative that makes an experience accessible to others can enable a vision to be understood and a path forward to form. The Storytellers Creed from Robert Fulghum is also a reminder to me of the charge we have as leaders on a school campus. Each year I try to share this advice with seniors as they embark on their next adventure. What helps you reset when faced with a challenge?
There’s a whole lot of stuff happening in my school district right now. We’ve lost 17 school days on my campus this year to Hurricane Harvey, Ice, and an Astros Championship Parade. The stress on everyone has been palpable. Toss in that our school community was particularly impacted with more than 600 families displaced, and you can get a sense of how we’ve all arrived at the description of “it’s just a crazy year.”
Remembering what we love brings the needed calm that leads to thought. Yeah, I think my trip to the movies with a large popcorn, SnoCaps, and a Cherry Coke just brought me my plan.
Truthfully, I don’t know much behind the idea of the #OneWord. I suppose that at it’s essence it is a decision to not subscribe to a specific act (eat better, be nice, say thank you, etc) and rather commit to the concept behind a word. And so I am going to give this a try for 2017. My #OneWord for 2017 is ENGAGE. And this word will thread through both my professional and personal lives.
The sentiment I always share is that it is a chance to see many elements of our school together in one place, at one time, with one focus. Perhaps it is the 50 players on the field flanked by 10 student trainers and managers, or the 18 cheerleaders leading the crowd. Maybe it’s the 45 member drill team or the near 100 piece marching band that pumps up the halftime show. Possibly the 8 Birdkeepers that are assigned to guard our mascot – a tradition nearly 50 years old – or the 12 elected Booster Club officers that run the flags after each score is what ties it together. Regardless of the group that brings you out that night, we are talking about more than 250 students united. Each of them with a role to support our school and show their pride in our school colors.
So as I wrapped up this week and watched others head to their cars with smiles yet exhausted shoulders, I found it easy to feel pepped up as it was game night. And as I parked at the stadium and exited my car, I could hear the band playing a familiar tune and the PA announcer declaring a first down. As I greeted the familiar faces at security and spoke to our ticket takers, I felt a peace come over me. Grabbing my hot dog, popcorn, and bottle of water, I smiled at parents, said hello to students, and found my usual seat. The first week of school was over and I was in my happy place.
The last weekend in May is often a fond time for high school principals. While some welcome the end of another school year and the “off-season” that comes with June, it is the actual commencement exercises that I enjoy the most. It is, maybe, the singular day where everyone is happy. The students walking across the stage have all achieved whatever is needed and thus they are pleased. Parents have only two requirements for the event – make sure their child’s name is in the program and be sure to announce their name. That’s it. So they are delighted. It’s a great day.
Exploring Leadership 