No One Is Ordinary
Today I was reminded of the importance in recognizing and valuing the unique strengths and contributions of each individual we serve. I had the honor of working with teachers today for the Charlotte County Public Schools’ Summer Professional Development Summit Conference at Lemon Bay High School in Englewood, Florida. I have had the honor of partnering with Charlotte County Public Schools for several years and absolutely love their teachers. They are always so engaged and very willing to share their expertise. I was reminded of C. S. Lewis’ teaching that, “there are no ordinary people…” The teachers I worked with today are not ordinary, they are extraordinary.
While working through sessions entitled “Self Care for Educators & Creating Healthy Boundaries” and “Let’s Reach Every Student!” it was very evident these teachers want to be the very best for the students they serve. By acknowledging that no one is ordinary, leaders can create a more inclusive and supportive work environment where every team member feels appreciated and empowered to make a difference. Ultimately this leads to greater collaboration, innovation, and success for the organization.
“there are no ordinary people…” ~ C. S. Lewis
Lewis wanted us to remember that every individual has value and significance, regardless of their circumstances or perceived importance. He believed that each person has the potential to make a difference in the world and should be treated with respect and dignity. It’s a reminder to not underestimate the impact that each individual can have on the world around them.
Watercolor Leadership
Painting with watercolors can help us reflect on our personal and development. By creating art, we can express our emotions, thoughts, and experiences in a visual form, no matter our talent or level of skill, allowing us to explore and understand ourselves on a deeper level. Today, I used watercolor painting for a professional development retreat with Wabash River Career and Technical Education (WRCTE) teachers. We were at the beautiful Turkey Run State Park in Marshall, Indiana. I told them to find a spot anywhere in the park and paint a picture that represents the great aspects of their year getting students ready for their next steps.
The process of watercolor painting can be meditative and calming, providing a space for self-reflection and introspection. So, by engaging in this creative activity, the teachers gained insights into their own journey of growth and development. When we were sharing out, one of the participants shared he had painted the Turkey Run Inn because it was a challenge that made him reflect on his own journey growing as a teacher this past year. Every teacher’s description of their painting was very inspiring.
Painting with watercolors can be compared to leadership in the sense that both require creativity, vision, and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances. Just as we must carefully choose our colors, brushes, and techniques to create a beautiful masterpiece, a leader must make strategic decisions, inspire others, and navigate challenges to achieve success. Both activities also require patience, practice, and the willingness to learn from mistakes. Overall, painting with watercolors and leadership both involve bringing a unique vision to life through skillful execution and thoughtful guidance.
Let The Work, Work
This past weekend during the “DIY Lasting Leadership” workshop of the Hamilton Heights School Corporation Teacher Leader Academy 3.0 Finale Summit we used the butcher paper on the tables to record leadership thoughts as we built our individualized projects. I always appreciate Hamilton Heights Middle School Principal, Bret Bailey being a part of the Finale with us. As his table participants were working, they discussed how there were steps and “layers” to the project and at times we have to let the “paint dry” and “let the work, work.” I loved this statement and we proceeded to have a discussion about it.
When a leader says “Let the work, work,” they may be emphasizing the importance of trusting in the process and allowing tasks to be completed without unnecessary interference. Also, we sometimes start new initiatives, but don’t let them play out to know if they are successful or not. This was also a reminder to take charge of our own professional development as we navigate the challenges of transitioning from an individual contributor to a leader.
Additionally, sometimes we have to manage the conditions that drive team performance, but other times leadership means “letting the paint dry” and stepping back and allowing team members to do their jobs without micromanaging or getting overly involved. It implies having faith in the abilities of the team and letting them work independently to achieve their goals. “Letting the work, work” also reminds us, as leaders, we must coach colleagues and share feedback in ways that enable them to develop and deliver.
Opportunity To See More Opportunities 
One student said, “This program and the teachers give us the opportunity to see more opportunities!” When I heard this student on the Student Advisory Committee of the Vision Corner Learning Center in Union City, Indiana say this, I wanted to jump up and cheer. Randolph Eastern School Corporation is giving students the opportunity to see more opportunities – is that not what education is all about. It means that when a student is open to new experiences, perspectives, and possibilities, they are more likely to recognize and take advantage of opportunities that come their way. Then, teachers encouraging and creating space for the students to be curious, adaptable, and proactive, enable the students to expand their horizons and make the most out of their educational journey and future career prospects. This all goes hand in hand with and is part of students learning to learn.
We can best provide opportunities for students by creating a positive and inclusive learning environment that encourages curiosity, critical thinking, and creativity. They can incorporate hands-on activities, real-world examples, and group projects to allow students to explore different perspectives and enhance their problem-solving skills. Additionally, teachers can provide mentorship, guidance, and support to help students navigate challenges and seize opportunities for growth and development. Ultimately, fostering a collaborative and engaging educational atmosphere can empower students to maximize their potential and discover new possibilities for success.
Being A Bystander
On Monday, through a collaboration I am doing with Marian University’s Center for Vibrant Schools I was working with the teachers at Trinity Lutheran School. It was a great day of visiting classrooms, coaching, working with teacher leaders, and after-school professional development. As I always say when I am in classrooms I pay most attention to what students are doing. In one class the students engaged me in their activity. The students were working in groups preparing for skits. A student proceeded to ask the teacher if she could ask me to be in the skit. He said yes and the student proceeded to ask me if I would portray Jesus in her group’s skit. I was thrilled and I must say our skit was incredible! Another class was studying the book of Matthew and the teacher had a writing prompt for the students to describe which of the persons in the book of Matthew they could relate to best.
After turning in their short essays the teacher asked them to share out who they had chosen and why they best related to them. One student gave an answer that no one was expecting. He said, “The bystanders because they were there listening and learning.” Pretty insightful for an eighth grader, don’t you think? The teacher and I were both blown away by the insight given by this student. I couldn’t quit thinking about it. The student was right, sometimes we need to take the role of the bystander.
There is definitely a lot to learn from being a bystander. By observing situations from a distance, we can gain valuable insights into how people interact, how conflicts unfold, and how different choices lead to different outcomes. Additionally, in situations where our involvement could escalate a conflict or cause harm, it may be better to observe and not get directly involved. It’s important to assess each situation carefully and consider the potential consequences before deciding whether to take action or stay on the sidelines.
Being a bystander can give us the opportunity to reflect on our own values, beliefs, and biases, and consider how they influence our actions or inaction in certain situations. This can help us develop a better understanding of human behavior and improve our own decision-making skills. Bottom line: sometimes it is best for us to listen, learn, and be a bystander rather than being a major contributor.
Someday I Will…
Today, while I was in a school working with teachers, I heard some students making “Someday I will…” statements. I love these visionary statements of future plans and goals. There is a great deal of value in young people, and adults alike, pondering thoughts of “Someday I will…” Making these statements can help us set goals, plan for the future, and stay motivated. Envisioning future accomplishments and aspirations, can help the young and old work toward achieving our dreams and making them a reality.
It can also help them stay focused and determined in the face There will always be obstacles and challenges, but our “Someday I will…” statements keep us focused and determined. Thinking about what we want to achieve someday can inspire all of us to grow.
Leading Fruitful Teams
This week I had the pleasure of working with our Focused Leader Academy at Silver Creek School Corporation. As with all the participants from the schools I do these academies, I love working with this group of aspiring leaders. They are always so creative and inspiring. At this past week’s gathering we started a two part series on building, working with, and leading teams. One of the activities was for participants, in teams of course, to make a representation of what a great team looks like using Play-Doh®️. As always, I was amazed! One team created an incredible bowl of mixed fruit – see the featured picture of this post. The team that created this visual metaphor told us that “A great team that is high functioning can be compared to a bowl of mixed fruit because each member brings their own unique strengths and qualities to the team, just like how different fruits bring different flavors and nutrients to the bowl. Together, they create a well-rounded and balanced team that is more effective and successful.” See why I love working with this group?
One person contributed that the different fruits that need to be peeled can be compared to some members of great teams who require extra support or assistance in order to fully contribute to the team. Just like how peeling the fruits reveals their true potential and enhances their flavor, providing the necessary support and guidance to certain team members can help them unlock their full potential and excel within the team. By recognizing and addressing the unique needs of each team member, the team can work together cohesively and achieve greater success. Never forget that some team members just need to be tapped on the shoulder and reminded how valuable they are and invited to take on the next big challenge, position, or project.
The different fruits in a mixed fruit bowl also represented the diversity in the makeup of a great team in several ways. Just like a team consists of individuals with different backgrounds, skills, and personalities, each fruit brings its own unique flavor, texture, and nutritional benefits to the mix. When combined harmoniously, the variety of fruits in a mixed fruit bowl creates a delightful and satisfying experience for those who enjoy it. Similarly, a diverse team can leverage the strengths and perspectives of its members to collaborate effectively and achieve outstanding results. Embracing diversity in a team can lead to innovation, creativity, and improved problem-solving abilities. Just as each fruit in a mixed fruit bowl plays a vital role in creating a delicious and balanced combination, each team member contributes their own expertise and perspective to the collective success of the team.
Leaders Experiencing The Minute Details
Our “accumulated experience” and “inherited knowledge” are extremely important to us as leaders as they help shape our decision-making process, problem-solving skills, and overall leadership style. Experience allows us to learn from past successes and failures, giving us valuable insights that can guide us in making better decisions in the future. It also helps us earn the trust and respect of our team members, as they see us as someone who has been through various challenges and knows how to navigate them effectively. Overall, accumulated experience can make us a more effective and confident leader.
We were reminded by Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, just how important our accumulated experience and inherited knowledge are in My Story. He told us that, “Some say a leader must have a bird’s-eye view, looking at things from above so that he or she can assess them and make the relevant decisions. I say a leader must be on the ground living among the people, enduring their conditions, experiencing their lives and knowing the minute details of their suffering in order to change their situation for the better” (p. 67). I call this being the “deer in the headlights.” This is why I am also such a big advocate of, where possible, having people who have actually done what is being taught be the teachers of those transferable skills.
“Inherited knowledge” refers to the knowledge and expertise that is passed from one generation to the next within an organization or team. This knowledge can come in the form of best practices, lessons learned, and insights gained from past experiences.
Inherited knowledge is important to organizations and leadership because it allows us to build on the successes of the past and avoid repeating the mistakes that have been made before. By tapping into the collective wisdom of those who have come before, organizations can make more informed decisions, solve problems more effectively, and drive innovation.
Additionally, inherited knowledge can help to foster a sense of continuity and tradition within an organization, creating a sense of stability and cohesion among team members. It also enables leaders to mentor and develop the next generation of leaders, ensuring a smooth succession of leadership and the continued growth and success of the organization.
Framing The Causes
The term “causality” has always given me pause. First, I believe the term is overused in research. Causality assumes that the value of an interdependent variable is the reason for the value of a dependent variable. Social science and education research is very interested in making causal claims. This causal inference remains especially difficult to prove. My problem with claims of causality are the multiple potential explanations that always exist. This does not mean I don’t think causality is important to science. The best research uses methods for getting to causality. When statistically significant causality is proven it is very valuable. As I stated earlier, however, I just believe we are, at times, too quick to claim causality.
It is also interesting to me that causality is a topic debated in theology. In fact, in The Christian In The World, C.S. Lewis credits Sir Arthur Eddington with saying, “Each event comes from another event.” From the reading I believe Lewis struggled with this as an absolute philosophy and I always have too. Everything in life is too complex for that. Causality at face value means that every event or occurrence is caused by a preceding event or set of events. In other words, there a chain of cause and effect in the world, where one event leads to another, and so on. I believe we need to recognize the interconnectedness and continuity of events in our lives and in the world around us. While there may be provable causalities in some cases, we must remember there may be multiple contributing factors.
The Artwork of Stories & Relationships
I love the opportunities that chance encounters bring for making new and valuable connections. Last week as we were going into Sushi Hana in Savannah, Georgia for lunch, I noticed an artist painting a streetscape in front of the restaurant. Those of you who know me well, know I can’t resist watching an artist practice their craft. He was just getting started, but I could tell this painting was going to be special (like I really know anything about it). The artist and I exchanged hellos and I told him I liked his work. My family and I went into Sushi Hana’s and ordered and I told them I had to go back out and meet the artist. I met Jeffrey Baumgartner, who coincidentally is from Chicago with Indiana connections. Small world! We immediately connected and he informed me it would take about three hours to complete. I told him I wanted to buy the painting. Then my wife came out and told me I needed to come in and eat. Imagine that!
After lunch I was back out to check the progress of “my” painting. It was coming along nicely and Jeffrey and I talked some more and made a plan for me to call him and 3:00 and see where he was on completing the painting. So, at exactly 3:00 as I stood along the Savannah River, I called my new artist friend back to see how my painting looked. He was just painting his signature on it as I called. Jeffrey told me it looked awesome. So I left my family to explore and climbed those old uneven steps up from River Street with some newfound energy and enthusiasm. Over to Broughton Street to see this exquisite piece of artwork (see photo). It was wonderful and I wanted it.
We agreed on a price then proceeded to talk, laugh, and share stories. Two students from the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) came by who had watched and talked to Jeffrey earlier. He proceeded to give them an art, business, and leadership experience like no college professor could give. This artist was living it. He had driven his van (that he says is a “VanGo,” pun intended) to Savannah, set up in a campground, and was painting a new streetscape every day for a living. If that isn’t a real world and relevant context for teaching I don’t know what is. Not only was he schooling these young and aspiring artists, he was forming relationships. As a believer and teacher of building relationships as the most important leadership trait, I was watching and learning. Jeffrey was a master at it.
As I was complimenting him on his relationship-building prowess he told me that he came from the theater. “It’s all about the story, Byron,” he told me. So true; it is all about the story. I had gotten my painting, made new friends in Jeffrey and the students, and expanding my knowledge in leadership and creating an ideal customer experience. Jeffrey’s ability to connect had made the experience of buying this painting memorable and with a tremendous story.
Being able to build relationships is an important trait to have developed for a painter selling paintings, or any leader for that manner, because it helps in establishing trust and rapport with potential buyers. By building relationships, we can understand the preferences and tastes of our customers, tailor their artworks accordingly, and creating a personalized experience for the buyers. This lesson can also be transferred to all of us as leaders. We are creating experiences for those we serve.
Additionally, building relationships allowed Jeffrey to form a network of loyal clients who most likely will provide repeat business and recommend the artist to others. In Jeffrey’s case, he has a loyal following. This can help in expanding the reach and recognition of the painter’s work.
Moreover, through building relationships, we can also receive feedback and constructive criticism, which can be valuable for growth and improvement. By understanding the needs and desires of our clients and clients and those we serve, can better fulfill their expectations and create artworks that resonate with them.
Overall, being able to build relationships enables a painter to connect with their audience on a deeper level, promote their work effectively, and establish a strong presence in the art market.
Byron's Babbles 
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