This week’s post is actually a paraphrased email to someone who juggles lots of tasks, wondering how it was possible. In the interest of sharing one way of looking at it, I shared my (loosely held-to) scheme of priorities: 1) Family (with permission to ignore 9-3 on weekdays) 2) Current clients (including former clients; once … Read more
We’re entering a time of year when lots of people have professional development and conference opportunities. Lots of time when attending such an event, you get lots of ideas from the exhibit hall, from networking, from breakout sessions, and from keynote speakers and plenary sessions. You come home with lots of materials, then life happens, … Read more
WARNING: This post is nothing but a story, though you will find usable content at the end. Also, it’s over 700 words. If you’re a long-time loyal reader, though, it’s required reading. (If you’re new to this blog, this is really the last thing you ought to read. I suggest starting here.) As mentioned at … Read more
Leaders are committed to constant self-improvement. Why use the phrase “stretching and growing?” Because you can’t grow if you don’t stretch – And it is possible to stretch without growing. One of two things is always true: 1-I am a perfect master of all my desired skills and capabilities; I’m perfect.or2-I still have room to … Read more
Part two of two (read part one here) My daily list fits into the narrow confines of the column on the left hand side of each day’s page in my planner. But – sometimes life becomes so hectic, and the to-do list gets so long, that it’s time to switch methods. If you are working … Read more
Much of what I write and teach about servant leadership comes, frankly, from a moral, “do good”, outlook. This may sound cheesy, but I’m a cheesy guy; servant leadership from all leaders and teachers and coaches and managers and parents, everywhere, would make the world a much better place for everyone. But there is a utilitarian way of looking at this also. Keeping people engaged insures a much greater likelihood that the goals of the organization will be attained.
But what if teachers in general (and band/choir/orchestra directors specifically) studied best practices in business – both management from an organizational standpoint, and from a team-building/customer service/human relations standpoint?
And what if business leaders approached their businesses, and especially their people, as though they were volunteers (like band students) who could – and would – walk away from things if they didn’t think their time and energy were well-spent?
My first boss was fond of saying this: “Most days, we have fun around here.” The first time I heard him say this was in my job interview. He followed it up with “…and you can’t say that about most jobs.” It was my first job, so I took his word for it. He was … Read more