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The two most powerful words leaders use when innovating
Tradition and the status quo limits our ability to innovate. The machine that is school has trouble changing because of the weight down of "how things are done here." Two words can help leaders break free from the constraints of tradition: What if? Begin asking "What...
Learning on your own
“I believe in the discipline of mastering the best of what other people have figured out.”-Charlie Munger This quote captures the essence of the mastermind. All of us are better than any of us. Individually our circle of competence is small. Collectively, we have...
Angela Kelly Robeck: Looking Inward to Lead
Angela Kelly Robeck is a best-selling author and certified life coach for school leaders. She helps site and district leaders navigate the mental and emotional demands of the job. A former teacher, coach, principal and district administrator, Angela deeply understands...
How do we plan for school in uncertain times?
I'm reading a book on mental models. A chapter dedicated to evolution shares this quote: “Success is measured by persistence.”-Geerat Vermeij The thing about evolution is that you adapt or die. Not a bad reminder given the reality that schools and society currently...
Consistency counts
If you show up at the same time, at the same place, doing the same thing you are consistent. Consistency builds trust. The trust earned by your consistency is then evaluated by the quality of what you are putting into the universe. That didn't work out well for the...
You’re slowing down your organization
Have you ever stepped on some gum while walking in the street? It's annoying because it's difficult to get off the sole of your shoe and with each step you are slowed down ever so slightly. This is an example of friction -- when a force must be overcome to achieve an...
10 things every new principal should know
Be yourself Some of my biggest mistakes were made because I was being inauthentic to who I truly was. It’s good to emulate your heroes, but at some point you have to trust yourself and develop your own style of leadership. The sooner you will drive more results...
Communicating in challenging times
Most of the podcasts I’ve recorded have been done virtually, first on Skype, now on Zoom. About 5 of the 250 have been done face-to-face. My first in-person interview was with Jennifer Abrams. She was passing through my hometown of Chicago for a workshop and agreed to...
Rick Mohrein: Will you choose School or your Family?
Rick earned a bachelor’s degree in adolescent education/social studies from Fredonia State University in New York. He has a master’s degree in adolescent education from Oneonta State College, also in New York. He earned a certificate of advanced studies in educational...
