Leading By Being Adaptable
This week when spending time with a first year teacher that I am coaching and mentoring, he commented that one of the big things he has learned in the first quarter of the school year is that being able to adapt is key. I was impressed and told him that is a very important part of teaching in many ways. The day I was there he had to adapt a lesson because an outside stakeholder who was helping with a project was not able to be at the school. My mentee shifted seamlessly to another lesson. I’ve seen seasoned teachers struggle with making these kind of adaptations.
I love that this teacher has realized the importance of being adaptable. It is such an important leadership attribute. In my latest book, Mere Leadership, I wrote, “In today’s rapidly changing world, leaders need to be able to adapt to new situations and challenges” (p. 60). This is hugely important in teaching. Teachers are leaders and need to be adaptable in various ways to effectively support their students and navigate the dynamic classroom environment.
The teacher that is the focus of this post used adaptability to modify lesson plans and content to meet the needs of students, whether due to curriculum changes, student feedback, or unforeseen circumstances such as remote learning requirements. During our discussion of being adaptable we also discussed the need to adjust teaching methods to suit different learning styles, abilities, and interests of students. This includes using diverse instructional strategies like project-based learning, technology integration, or differentiated instruction.
All leaders need to be malleable. I used that term in Mere Leadership saying, “Malleable leaders are open to new ideas and perspectives. This openness fosters innovation and encourages our team members and those we serve to share their thoughts, leading to better problem-solving and decision-making” (p.p. 158-158). This also means growing professionally. We must continuously update our skills and knowledge through professional development to stay current with research and other innovations.
Lead By Guiding Not Bossing
Yesterday I did one of the things I love most: worked with students. Specifically I was working with elementary students. What I’ve learned over the years is, they can be very insightful on leadership. A fourth grader, while having a discussion about helping others, said, “I have learned it is better to guide others than to boss them.” In fact she wrote that on her name tent (see featured photo). This was quite the drop-the-mic moment. This young scholar gets a leadership attribute that some adults have trouble with. She went on to say that, “Others don’t like it when I’m bossy; they want me to help them.” More great insight!
I love the insights of young people. Her experience reminded us it is more effective and respectful to lead or mentor people by offering support, advice, encouragement, and help rather than simply giving orders or controlling them. Guiding involves inspiring and helping others grow, fostering cooperation and trust, whereas bossing may create resistance or resentment. I like to think of this as coming alongside others, shoulder-to-shoulder, and helping. Essentially, it emphasizes the value of leadership through understanding and collaboration rather than authority and commands.
The Impact of the Two-Way Street of Influence
One of the sessions I did while facilitating alongside the incredible National FFA team at this past week’s National FFA Teacher Ambassador training was titled “Who Do I Influence”. In that session we discussed that influence starts with relationships and is about impact not status. Our legacy is the sum total of the influence we’ve had on others. That legacy is important. It is what is left behind after conversations, after we hit send on texts and emails, how we show up, being available, and how we include and help others belong.
We are influencing and being influenced every moment of every day.
Every year when I cover this topic with ambassadors I also remember how important those who have influenced me are. Great leaders not only embrace the opportunity to influence, but also accept responsibility for who is influencing them. I get the incredible opportunity to be influenced by a great leader with National FFA who has been influencing me for over twenty years.
Ambra Tennery, now director of educational programs in the program and events division of the National FFA Organization, and I were together for her entire teaching career. I had the opportunity to see her in action when she was student teaching and from that moment on I was in recruitment (stalking) mode. I wanted to teach with her! A close friendship and professional bond was forged that still exists today; a bond over two decades old. This relationship taught me that influence is a two-way street. Ambra came into our agriculture program with fresh ideas, incredible teaching skills and strategies, and a natural talent for forming relationships with students. I was learning from her every day!
This two-way street of influence is about growth and learning for everyone involved. Ambra and I were open to influence, we gained new insights from each other and challenged each other’s assumptions, which helped us both expand our horizons. Today, we continue to stay receptive to each other’s feedback, adapting our approaches if needed. Ambra is a great leader and I am so fortunate to have a front seat to continue to witness and experience that leadership. This bidirectional process has cultivated a deep sense of partnership, empowering each of us to evolve and grow. Ultimately, a healthy exchange of influence nurtures collaboration, innovation, and even deeper connections.
Influence really is a two-way street. Let’s make sure we are impacting others like those who have impacted us along the way. Also, let’s make sure we don’t miss the opportunity to be influenced by someone else. We need to travel the two-way street of influence.
Leadership is Elementary, my Dear Watson
Discussions about leadership are important for elementary age students because these discussions help teach essential skills like responsibility, teamwork, communication, and problem-solving from a young age. By exploring what it means to be a leader, children learn the value of helping others, making positive choices, and taking initiative. These conversations also encourage confidence and empathy, fostering social-emotional development that can benefit them throughout their lives. Additionally, understanding leadership encourages students to see themselves as capable of making a difference, inspiring them to develop their unique strengths and contribute positively to their communities.
Today, I finished up my High Ability Mentor Group work for the school year with 126 first through fourth graders at Hamilton Heights Elementary School. I love working with these students and continue to always be inspired by them. We finished our time together this week with a discussion about leadership. I am always amazed at how in tune these young people are with what good leadership looks like. Leadership is not reserved for adults; leadership opportunities come in various shapes and sizes for all ages.
This week, the students in each grade created a top five leadership traits to develop list. Here are those lists:
First Grade:
- Be nice
- Get smarter
- Listen more
- Be quiet
- Creative
Second Grade:
- Be an example for others to follow
- Less talking
- Be kind
- Be a listener
- Learn and get smarter
Third Grade:
- Be patient
- Influence
- Help others achieve their goals
- Be a better communicator
- Inspire friendships and be aware of others’ feelings
Fourth Grade:
- Take responsibility for my actions
- Earn trust
- Don’t be quiet when I need to talk
- Focus on growing myself
- Building continuous friendships
Pretty impressive lists! Students learning leadership skills not only benefits their development but it also helps their interactions with others. When we help our students see themselves as role models, they naturally become more responsible and thoughtful. Students build leadership skills as they learn how to communicate, negotiate, listen, persevere, solve problems, and cooperate. While becoming leaders themselves, students realize that leadership is not a title but someone who sets an example quietly, whether it be on a sports team, or by doing the right thing when others are not looking.
Ripples Are Beautiful: Embracing the Power of Divergent Viewpoints
In our journey through life and professional conversations alike, we often encounter moments that ripple outward. Those small actions, words, or ideas that create waves far beyond their initial splash. Today, during a gathering of the Silver Creek School Corporation Focused Leader Academy when complementing one participant for her willingness to push back or offer a different viewpoint, I expressed my love for a good argument. I truly believe that divergent viewpoints lead to personal growth and get decisions to a better place. This great teacher leader, Kate Brown, remarked, “Ripples are beautiful.” This simple phrase resonated deeply with me, prompting reflection on how the ripples of differing perspectives shape us and our communities.
The Beauty of Ripples
You know I love a good metaphor! Much like a stone cast into a still pond, every idea or opinion introduces a disturbance that propagates outward, ultimately touching distant shores. These ripples are inherently beautiful because they symbolize connection, influence, and the dynamic interplay of diverse thoughts. The ripples remind us that even small differences can have meaningful impacts, fostering innovation and empathy.
Divergence as a Catalyst for Growth
Embracing divergent viewpoints is akin to throwing multiple stones into the water simultaneously. Each creates its unique ripple, and together, they make the surface lively and unpredictable. Instead of fearing disagreement or differing opinions, we can see them as opportunities. Those ripples serve to challenge our assumptions and deepen our understanding.
Creating a Culture of Beautiful Ripples
When we celebrate varied perspectives in our organizations or communities, we cultivate an environment where ideas flow freely, and innovation blossoms. Just as ripples can intersect and amplify each other, our own metaphorical ripples spur constructive debates that lead to breakthroughs that wouldn’t emerge in echo chambers. Encouraging respectful disagreement and curiosity turns potential conflicts into beautiful patterns of growth.
So, Next time you find yourself in a disagreement or encounter a differing viewpoint, remember that Kate taught us that “ripples are beautiful.” They are signs of a vibrant, evolving mind and community. Embrace the disturbance, cherish the divergence, and watch how these ripples shape a richer, more resilient you.
Unlocking The Secret Leadership In Students
Back in February I had the opportunity to be in Langford, South Dakota for National FFA Week. The Langford Area School District FFA Officers had the great idea to provide leadership workshop sessions designed for every grade level in the school. I wrote about this experience in Being Kind. It was such an inspiring experience and the students were so engaged and wonderful. I loved this quote from FFA advisor AnnaMarie Sachs:
“He [Byron] can unlock the secret leadership in students that they might not realize is there,” Sachs said. “That’s important because we live in a small community and our kids need to be leaders. He can give them skills they can take home and make use of long after today.”
That quote was caught by Bridget Shileny, Editor of The Marshall County Journal who was there that day and took some incredible photos and captured the day perfectly in an outstanding article. I am humbled by her kind comments and wanted to share her article with you. Here is her article:
Education 5.0: Empowering Minds for the Age of AI, Empathy, and Innovation
Yesterday I had the honor of serving on an international panel contemplating “Education 5.0: Empowering Minds for the Age of AI, Empathy, and Innovation.” It was an incredible discussion that was part of the 2026 FLUXX Asia Leadership Conference in Manila Philippines. I wanted to share some of the thoughts I contributed to the discussion yesterday.
When asked about the biggest challenge in education I brought three points:
- We need to make sure students are developing the skills necessary to become worthwhile citizens in a global economy
- Our education entities need to become more systems thinking and have systems change leaders to carry out those changes
- As a global community we need to be learning promising practices from each other
Next, I was asked what critical human skills are at risk of being undervalued or underdeveloped because of the use of AI:
- Critical thinking/Problem solving
- Creativity/Curiosity
- Ethical reasoning
- Adaptability/Resilience
How do we strengthen the human connection for students?
- Students should work on real problems and issues
- Students should work with adults I mentioned my partnership with AgReliant Genetics when I was teaching where students were doing real research for the company and collaborating with the scientists
- We need to provide mentoring by adults for students
- Work-based learning opportunities
- Students present results/proposals
- Help students understand what it means to have ownership in their learning/education and then allow them to have that ownership
- Create space for students to have human to human contact and interaction
What are actions needed for proper use of AI?
- Provide support and professional development in the use of AI
- We need to incorporate AI, not make it an either/or thing
- Get diligent in helping students recognize fact from opinion/false information [Research from Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) showed that only 9% of 15-year-olds can actually tell when facts are really facts and not just opinions]
Finally, I was asked to complete the following sentences (the italicized are what I contributed):
- AI will replace routine tasks, but never replace the human elements of love, creativity, curiosity, and empathy.
- The most underrated skill is emotional intelligence.
- The future of education is students taking ownership of their own learning and education.
Betting On Us
Today, I heard the phrase, “Convincing others to bet on you when you don’t fit the stereotype.” In the context it was used, it meant persuading or earning the trust of people to support or choose us, even though we may not conform to their typical expectations or conventional images of success. It involves showcasing your unique qualities, skills, or potential that challenge common stereotypes, and demonstrating that you are capable despite not fitting the usual mold.
Leaders can use this mindset by embracing authenticity and showcasing our unique strengths to inspire trust and confidence in our teams. Instead of conforming to traditional stereotypes of leadership, we can highlight qualities like empathy, creativity, adaptability, or resilience that set us apart. By doing so, we encourage others to see value in diverse approaches and perspectives, fostering an inclusive environment where creativity and curiosity thrive. Additionally, as leaders we can model confidence in our unconventional qualities, convincing others that success isn’t limited to stereotypical traits but is achieved through authenticity, dedication, and a willingness to challenge norms.
Leading With Pakikisama and Kapwa
Last week as part of my cultural study of the Philippines in preparation for my trip to Manila for the FLUXX Leadership Conference I blogged about Pag-unawa. Prior to arriving and delivering the opening keynote I am studying the Filipino culture. Pag-unawa translates to “understanding” or “comprehension,” which is leadership fostering effective and empathetic leadership. I am now learning about “Pakikisama” and “kapwa.” These are fundamental Filipino values that significantly enhance relationship building, especially in leadership and community settings.
Pakikisama means smooth interpersonal relationships and emphasizes harmony, camaraderie, and avoiding conflict among individuals. It encourages leaders to foster a friendly and cooperative environment where everyone feels comfortable and valued. When leaders practice Pakikisama they:
- Promote open communication and active listening, making team members feel heard.
- Resolve conflicts amicably, maintaining group cohesion.
- Show genuine concern for the well-being of others, strengthening trust and loyalty.
- Encourage collaboration rather than competition, leading to a more unified team.
Kapwa means shared identity and mutual respect. Kapwa is the core concept of interconnectedness and shared identity, recognizing others as equal and part of the same “self.” Embracing kapwa helps leaders:
- Develop empathy by seeing others as similar to oneself.
- Build authentic relationships rooted in mutual respect and understanding.
- Foster inclusivity by valuing diverse perspectives as part of the collective identity.
- Encourage communal responsibility, motivating everyone to work towards common goals.
Together, the attributes of pakikisama and kapwa create a social environment where respect, empathy, and harmony are prioritized. Leaders who embody these values can:
- Create a sense of belonging and trust within the group.
- Motivate individuals through genuine connection rather than authority alone.
- Facilitate consensus-building, making decisions more inclusive.
- Cultivate an atmosphere where people feel safe to express themselves and contribute ideas.
It has been great to learn Filipino culture. I have learned that integrating pakikisama and kapwa into leadership nurtures relationships founded on mutual understanding, respect, and shared purpose—fostering effective, compassionate, and sustainable connections within any community or organization.
The Power of Relationships: Lessons on Building Meaningful Connections
Last Friday I had a teacher leader who has been through one of my leadership development programs with me, share that she is now in a masters program and she realized while doing some reflecting during a course that she had never had a very effective coach, mentor, or facilitator of educational leadership or instructional effectiveness until me. Now, I must admit I blushed a little, tried to play it off, but was also very proud. Of course, all of you that know me know I could not resist asking a question. My question was simple: “Why do you think that is so?” Her answer was also very simple: “Our relationship!” She went on to say, “You take the time to really build relationships with everyone you work with. You know me and you know what I need.” Wow! That really made me proud because I do believe relationships are the key to everything.
In an ever-changing world, where change is constant and competition fierce, one timeless skill stands out as a cornerstone of being significant: relationship building. I want to use this post to emphasize the profound impact that genuine relationships have on personal growth, professional success, and community development.
Why Are Relationships So Important?
At their core, relationships are the foundation of trust, collaboration, and mutual respect. I teach that strong bonds created through authentic connection lead to greater influence, improved teamwork, and a more fulfilling life. Whether in leadership, teaching, business, or personal spheres, the ability to cultivate meaningful relationships is essential.
Key Principles from my Leadership Philosophy
- Authenticity and Integrity: This underscores the importance of being genuine. Authenticity fosters trust and encourages others to open up, creating a positive environment for growth and collaboration.
- Active Listening: This highlights that effective leaders and relationship-builders listen more than they speak. Truly understanding others’ perspectives enables stronger connections and better problem-solving.
- Empathy and Compassion: Empathy allows leaders to connect on a deeper level. I teach that demonstrating sincere concern for others’ well-being enhances loyalty and inspires collective efforts toward common goals.
- Consistency and Follow-through: Building trust requires consistent actions. I want to stress here that reliability and accountability reinforce relationships over time.
- Value Others: Recognizing and appreciating the strengths and contributions of others cultivate a sense of belonging and motivation.
The Impact of Strong Relationships
Investing in relationships yields dividends far beyond immediate gains. Strong connections can:
- Foster innovation through diverse perspectives
- Accelerate personal and professional development
- Enhance organizational culture and morale
- Enable communities to thrive collectively
In a world driven by rapid change and digital interactions, the human element remains vital. I hope my insights here will remind us that leadership and success are ultimately rooted in our ability to build and nurture meaningful relationships. By practicing authenticity, active listening, empathy, consistency, and appreciation, we can create bonds that uplift us all.
By valuing authentic relationships and leading with integrity, we not only elevate our own success but also cultivate vibrant, supportive communities where everyone can thrive. Let’s strive to lead with authenticity and a heartfelt respect for those we serve and work alongside.
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