Which Way To Progress?
Our world is a very different place and as leaders we find ourselves needing new tools, new insights, new strategies, and new tactics for dealing with the ambiguity and challenges we currently face. This ambiguity has become a hot topic because of the unpredictable and volatile nature of today’s global environment. We are all faced with complex and uncertain situations where clear-cut solutions are not readily available. As such, leaders need to be comfortable with ambiguity and able to make decisions in the face of uncertainty. Embracing ambiguity can lead to innovative solutions, adaptability, and resilience in leaders, which are crucial qualities in today’s fast-paced ever-changing world. As I was visiting with professors at the University of Oxford Saïd Business School we were contemplating this. As I returned back to The Kilns I was also reminded of what C. S. Lewis said:
“We all want progress. But progress means getting nearer to the place where you want to be. And if you have taken a wrong turning then to go forward does not get you any nearer. If you are on the wrong road progress means doing an about-turn and walking back to the right road and in that case the man who turns back soonest is the most progressive man. There is nothing progressive about being pig-headed and refusing to admit a mistake. And I think if you look at the present state of the world it’s pretty plain that humanity has been making some big mistakes. We’re on the wrong road. And if that is so we must go back. Going back is the quickest way on.” ~ C. S. Lewis
There is plenty of disagreement about what progress is these days, which should motivate us to decide our true north and find the right roads. We even need to decide, at the very core, what is progress. One of the points that Michael Smets, Professor of Management made in class, and he made it again today when we were visiting was, “We need to be humans first and experts second.” We need to remember that relationships matter. Also, as Lewis pointed out, we need to quit being “pig headed.” This includes admitting mistakes and changing direction.
What League Are You In?
This morning as I was studying at The Kilns, my friend and great school leader, Bret Bailey, from Hamilton Heights School Corporation in Arcadia, Indiana and I were texting back and forth. I was telling him of some of the things I was doing this week while in Oxford England. In one of the texts I commented that I was “…SO out of my league!” He texted back: “I think you’re IN whatever league you find yourself. 🙂 It’s blessed to have you be part of it.” I loved that thought of us being in whatever league we find ourselves. One reason I love this is that this thinking is so much different that the thought of “being in a league of our own.” It also keeps us from the dreaded imposter syndrome or the awful trap that some fall into of trying to fake it till you make it – the worst thing to do, EVER. So let’s unpack a “league” as being any loose affiliation of individuals/groups that are united in a common goal or vision.
Bret had me considering how important it is to foster a sense of unity and teamwork among those we serve. In other words, bringing them into our leagues. Belonging is so important and it is our job as leaders to help all belong. We also need to have the courage to become parts of leagues. Just like me jumping into learning here at the Saïd Business School at the University of Oxford. We need to be encouraging and encourage open communication, promote a culture of inclusiveness, and recognize and celebrate individual strengths so everyone can be brought together in the same league. By setting a positive example and creating a supportive environment, leaders can inspire their team members to work toward common goals and collaborate effectively. Thanks Bret for the inspiration to think deeply on this and reflect!
Bret and Hamilton Heights are modeling this as evidenced by the work I am honored to get to do with them facilitating their “THE Leadership Academy 4.0.” The 1.0 version of this was named “Teacher Leadership Academy.” The name alone made it a league of its own of just teachers. Remember, I believe everyone is a leader. It also is important to recognize that every person in a school is important to the success of our students. We have always included individuals from every position, not just teachers, but we have now explicitly changed the name to “THE Leadership Academy 4.0” to explicitly signal that everyone is invited to be a part of this league. I loved his email today from Bret to the new participants of the 2024-2025 cohort. “…The even better news is that YOU get to be part of it. This is the most “mixed” group from different buildings and departments we’ve had over the last three years…” I am so honored to be working with Hamilton Heights with this leadership development program. I love the fact that we are explicitly including all roles in the school. One thing that experience with all the schools that do it this way has taught me is that this “mixed” group, as Bret has called it, gives us the diversity of roles, diversity of experience and experiences, and diversity of points of view. Another great school corporation, Silver Creek School Corporation, has taken this same approach with their Focused Leader Academy that I facilitate for them. This coming year’s cohort has the first bus driver I’ve had go through a program. How exciting is that? I am so looking forward to it. Great leaders like Bret Bailey, Derek Arrowood (Hamilton Heights School Corporation Superintendent), and Chad Briggs (Silver Creek School Corporation Superintendent) get how important diversity is to successful leadership development. Taking an attitude of “being in whatever league we find ourselves” brings a wealth of knowledge and varying perspectives, which can help improve the way our leadership relates to those inside and outside of our schools and organizations. What league are you in?
Pausing To Smell The Roses
This morning as I woke and pulled the curtains open in the room that was Douglas Gresham’s during his childhood at The Kilns, I was overtaken by the sheer beauty of the roses outside my window (see featured photo). No, I did not get up late, it just gets light really early here in Oxford England. I took a minute to pause and just enjoy the individual and unique beauty of each rose. This made me think of how people are just like roses in that they have their own unique beauty and characteristics. Just as roses come in different colors, shapes, and sizes, people come in a variety of personalities, backgrounds, and experiences. Since reality doesn’t always allow us to make a full stop for appreciation, I am titling it “Pausing” in this post because that feels more realistic. What I did was more of a pause and is what I do every time I walk through the house and see the roses.
Embracing diversity and recognizing the individuality of each person helps to create a more vibrant and inclusive community. Just like how roses need care and attention to flourish, people also benefit from nurturing relationships and supportive environments to thrive and bloom. Embracing the concept of pausing and smelling the roses can make us better leaders by reminding us to slow down and appreciate the present moment. Just like how taking care of roses requires patience and attention to detail, being a leader involves nurturing and supporting the growth of those around us.
“When is the last time you stopped, and simply enjoyed what you are doing in the moment?”
~ Janelle Bruland
Another important reminder for me was to make sure I stop and enjoy the moment I am in. This is actually one of the leadership attributes I am studying while here at The Kilns – Being Present. When I think of being present as a leadership trait, Florence Nightingale always comes to mind. She would not have been the influence she was on nursing and health care without her first-hand experience and “being there.” We must be present and in the moment to best serve our people. In fact, since I am living in C.S. Lewis’s house I would add that he acknowledged the power of presence in his writing when he, in Mere Christianity told us he would not attempt certain subjects because he had not experienced them.
By being present and adopting a philosophy of pausing and smelling the roses and being present, we can create a positive work culture that values diversity, creativity, and collaboration. It allows us to see the potential in every individual and empower them to reach their full potential. And make no mistake; I believe EVERY person has potential. Let’s inspire and motivate others to bloom and thrive in their own unique way.
Learning, Growing And Reinventing Every Day
As I get my things stowed away and prepare to land in London England I can’t help but begin to get excited about the odyssey that awaits me. I’m about an hour from arrival and now flying over Ireland. It is 5:45am at The Kilns just outside Oxford; my ultimate destination this morning. I will be living where C. S. Lewis lived and wrote incredible books like The Chronicles of Narnia and The Screwtape Letters. As a Visiting Scholar in Residence I will be spending my time studying, writing, and visiting with University of Oxford professors. Make no mistake, I will also be taking in the local flavor as well. Tonight I will walk the path that Jack, as friends called C. S. Lewis, took to The Ampleforth Arms Pub for fish and chips. I am hoping some of the locals I met last fall will be there tonight for rekindling friendships as well as new friends to meet on this pilgrimage. This truly is an odyssey.
This is an odyssey of personal development. For all the areas of self-care that I don’t do a good job of, my personal growth and development is one I have tended very well to. I love learning and even in my seventh decade I want to keep learning and reinventing every day. If you’re not, you owe it to yourself to start – it is never too late. And if you are responsible for the development of others, show your leadership love by making sure you are making personalized growth opportunities available that are unique to each individual’s need. In fact, I was visiting with a client yesterday morning who I have become good friends with and she was sharing that she has been doing a poor job of her own personal development. She was sharing some coursework she is wanting to do. I assured her that she needed to and that I was going to hound her till she did. She shared the information on the program and I really want to take a course or two with her – what fun!
What will your next odyssey be? What odyssey will you help someone else take?
Stories That Wake Us Up
I’m transported by Padraig’s wisdom. With Dunluce Castle rising above us, I start to understand. “Mr. Lewis’s kinds of stories—the fairy tales, the myths, the universes all wrapping themselves around other worlds—are inside ours.” I look to Padraig. “These stories make us remember something we forgot. They make a young boy want to hop out of a bed and see the ruins of a castle. These kinds of stories wake us up.” “Yes!” Padraig takes my face and the rough wool of his mittens scratch. I smile and feel my cheeks lift, cradled in his hands. “The way stories change us can’t be explained,” Padraig says. “It can only be felt. Like love” (p. 242) ~ Once Upon a Wardrobe
Yes! “These kinds of stories wake us up.” Just as Megs described this awakening to Padraig in Once Upon a Wardrobe, I too was woke up by this very story. In the book, George called this being “In the story” (p. 44). As he said, “When I read a story or you tell me one, I can go into them” (p. 44). Once Upon a Wardrobe is a story so well written and told by Patti Callahan Henry that I was transported to Oxford England and The Kilns. In fact, I was so “in the story” that I applied to be a Visiting Scholar in Residence at The Kilns and the University of Oxford. Even though I was a rabid student of the work of C. S. Lewis, without being taken into this story and Patti’s other book, Becoming Mrs. Lewis, I would have not been inspired to want to see and live at The Kilns. In fact, as I write this, I am in the air flying to England for my second Visiting Scholar in residence study trip. Stories really are powerful!
As an avid reader, my point of this post is the power in being transported by stories. Also, we need to remember the power of influence gained in honing our storytelling abilities. Patti Callahan Henry transported me to The Kilns and Oxford to the point that I had to go be a part. Without her stories I would not have had the amazing experience last fall with my first visit, nor the second journey that began today. I’m glad as Padraig called it, I do not have everything “squared away” in my life and because Patti’s inspiration am learning, growing, and having fun with this odyssey.
This all reminded me of how important a skill storytelling is for us as leaders. Storytelling is a skill we need to develop because it allows us to connect with those we serve and our audiences on a deeper level, inspire and motivate others, communicate complex ideas in a clear and engaging way, and create a shared vision. Storytelling also helps to build trust, foster emotional connections, and make information memorable and impactful. Overall, storytelling is a powerful tool for effective leadership and can help leaders influence and inspire others to achieve common goals. In other words, stories transport us.
It’s Time To Get Through This
Today I was asked about my finding inspiration from songs – which I do. Specifically, I was asked if I had had a song that inspired me or that I looked to for inspiration as I was leading the turnaround, as principal, of a failing school back in 2012. I did and I cannot believe I had not blogged about “Alive” by Lo-Pro. Leading turnaround efforts is not for the faint of heart but I consider it some of the most important work I have ever done. I was very fortunate to have great people around me who made it possible for us to take that school off Indiana’s “F” list in just two years.
Now, back to the song. Here are the lyrics to the song (Alive Lyrics as written by Jorge Acosta Francisco Pacheco):
Look around and realize,
Nothing’s left
It’s hard to remember
And easy to forget
Seems like such a perfect time
To second guessBut now is not the time to quit
Now is not the time to quitYou let them know you’re alive
You let them know you’ve just begun
You’ll never know until you try
You’ll never know if you just run
(if you just run)Their lack of faith in you is nothing new
You’ve just about gotten used to it
Just stick around is all that’s left to do‘Cause now is not the time to quit,
Now is not the time to quitYou let them know you’re alive
You let them know you’ve just begun
You’ll never know until you try
You’ll never know if you just runIt’s now or never
(or never)
It’s time to come back
(to come back)
‘Cause now is forever
It’s time
Time to get through thisYou let them know you’re alive
You let them know you’ve just begunYou’re alive
You let them know
You let them know you’re alive
You let them know
You let them know you’re aliveYou let them know you’re alive
You let them know you’ve just begun
You’ll never know until you try
You’ll never know if you just run
For me, “Alive” by Lo-Pro was an anthem about overcoming struggles and challenges to find strength and resilience in difficult times. It conveys a message of hope and perseverance in the face of adversity. I used to listen to that song driving to and from school every day. At that time for me it was certainly not the time to quit. I would not know if I did not try. So, try I did with all my might. Go back and check out the words. This song still gives me goose bumps.
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