In last week’s podcast episode, I shared the second part of a keynote presentation I provided on August 12, 2021, to the Archdiocese of Louisville for a welcome-back ceremony of educators from thirty nine Pre/K-8 elementary schools and nine high schools collectively serving 18,000 students.

In Part 3 of this keynote series, you will learn the power of your friendships, legacy and laughter. Learn the following:

* What research says about the power of friendship when facing adversity* How your friendships allow others to see parts of you that may not be visible in isolation* How important it is to acknowledge those who are ‘packing your parachute’* Ways your story has been built by the influences of others

Considering your legacy as an educator, including two truths:

1. You’re not as important as you think.

2. You are more important than you think. Listen-in to find out why…

Relationships are more important than outcomes because deep trust inspires better outcomes. At the end of this episode, you’ll also hear some reminders of why you must keep finding humor and joy in learning and leading.

Further Reflection

There is a story that I love about friendship, involving C.S. Lewis, the author of The Chronicles of Narnia. Lewis was friends with J.R.R. Tolkien, the author of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings trilogy, and the two of them had a mutual friend named Charles Williams. When Charles died, Lewis wrote the following:

“In each of my friends there is something that only some other friend can fully bring out. By myself I am not large enough to call the whole man into activity; I want other lights than my own to show all his facets. Now that Charles is dead, I shall never again see Ronald’s [Tolkien’s] reaction to a specifically Charles joke. Far from having more of Ronald, having him “to myself” now that Charles is away, I have less of Ronald…In this, Friendship exhibits a glorious “nearness by resemblance” to heaven itself…” (Keller, 2016).  Keller, Timothy. The Prodigal God: Recovering the Heart of the Christian Faith. Penguin Books, 2016.

You have others in your life who can see parts of you that you are unable to see yourself. And you have attributes that may be best displayed with one person over another. Keep this in mind as you remember the importance of connecting with friends, family, and community members. Sometimes we need one another to see the best in one another.

Now It’s Your Turn

How can you be committed to mutual accountability? How are you allowing your friendships to call you back to the best version of yourself? Is there someone you need to thank for doing work that makes your work possible (in school and outside of school)? Thank you again for doing what matters!