Saturday, March 24, 2018

Education Leadership and Beyond: Surviving & Thriving with Andrew Marotta...

Podcast #40 with MS Principal Dr. Albert Sackey...

Podcast link: Podcast #40: Live Like a Ghanaian Prince with Dr. Al Sackey...

Do most people have a friend that everybody likes? The friend that seems to have the charm that everyone loves? Meet Al Sackey. Dr. Sackey is a 6’10” larger than life Principal at Nathan Hale MS in Norwalk, CT. Al is also a Ghanaian Prince, growing up in Ghana spending time both in Africa and the Bronx through his childhood.

Al has an amazing personality that can warm a room and those in it. How does he do it? What’s his secret? Al Shares his story in this week’s podcast.

While prepping for the show, I jotted down things about Al that I know about him. It is some of these traits that I think make up some of his magic. I have always been fond of Al, but it wasn’t until I started to practice some of his habits and put them into place in my life that I really saw his greatness. Here are a few:

1. Smile at people: this doesn’t take any talent or effort. It is free and unlimited. Al does this naturally to all that he meets. You instantly feel a connection to him because of his warm smile. Additionally, research shows that if you smile more, not only do you transmit that feeling to others like Al does, you feel better yourself.

2. “Tell them what they want to hear”: Al said this to me years ago. This is how he connects with others: talking about their interests, their passions. Al can relate to so many, not only because of his diverse background, but his ability to make connections with others by learning what makes them tick. He asks questions, relates to some experience, and listens intently.

3. Be authentic, genuine: It is in his blood, his heart. Al displays his authenticity in all as he does. In his role as Principal now, Al models these import traits to the most influential age group there is: pre-teens/middle schoolers.

4. Don’t look at color: Al has taught me so much and we talk about many of these things in the podcast. One of the most important is about race. Al is a great role model for all races by the way his character shines through all things. Take people for who they are, not by the color of their skin.

5. See the best in others: If this is what you are looking for, you will find it. Al looks for it and knows each and every person has good in them...and can do good for others. He makes others around him better by bringing out their best...especially those lucky MS students who get to see big Al each day.

Enjoy the podcast. Order your copy of the Principal: Surviving and Thriving today! Click here

Book recommendation: The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F&^% by Mark Manson.

Quote: "My one regret is that I have only one life to lose for my country" Nathan Hale, American Soldier, Revolutionary War.

Go out and change the world for the better.