Don't forget...

Very recently I had the opportunity to fill in for two days as a summer school principal at a K-6 elementary building in our district. Now, if you are a reader of my blog, you know I taught at the high school level and was a junior high administrator, so I don't have a lot of experience working with younger students. This past year has been wonderful because I've been afforded the opportunity to work K-12 district-wide, which means I can visit any of our schools on a daily basis, including our elementary schools!

During these two days at the elementary school I got to eat breakfast and lunch with the students, I got to listen to students explain to me a story they are reading, I helped arrange some construction projects, I walked three students home, and I got to play an intense game of basketball with some very talented young basketball players.

Most importantly, I got a great reminder of what it's like to be a kid. I got a great reminder of what an exciting time of their life these elementary students are experiencing. I got a refreshing and wonderful reminder of the innocence that kids have, and the nonjudgmental attitude and mindset they approach life with.

I got a reminder of why I wanted and eventually entered the field of education...

There's nothing earth-shatteringly new with this blog post and I'm definitely not saying anything that's never been said before, but it's a simple reminder to not forget.

~ Onward and upward

Make a decision...

If you have ever been in a meeting, you know what it looks like and what it sounds like when someone is avoiding a decision and avoiding to choose a side. They appear to be uncomfortable and can at times, come off as weak. This may not be the case, but indecisiveness and an inability to choose a side and stand for something, can and will impede any forward moving progress in your organization.

On the other hand, when you publicly stand behind and support an idea or an initiative, you put yourself at risk. You put yourself, whether you realize it or not, in the potential cross-hairs of the naysayers and the stronghold focus of the opposition. Making decisions and taking a stance can be unforgiving, but it's this strength, courage and willingness that ultimately move organizations forward.

Now, I'm not saying every decision and every stance is a good decision or a good stance, but without making decisions and taking a stand, nothing will ever get accomplished.

Making the wrong decision and then making adjustments and tweaks will always result in more progress than never making a decision in the first place....

So, when you make a decision and publicly stand behind an idea, initiative or a possible change, you better be prepared for the response. Remember, not making a decision and not taking a stance puts your entire organization at risk, while making a decision only puts those who stand behind the decision at risk.

In closing, stop dancing around the issue and get off the sidelines so you can make a decision. Those around you and those with whom you work will appreciate it in the long run. And, just as importantly, don't be discouraged and demoralized by those who lament the decision or stance you have taken. It's their discontent and uproar that signal you are doing something, which in turn means you are giving you and your organization the opportunity to move forward and make progress...