TheSchoolHouse302 One Thing Series School Leadership Podcast

TheSchoolHouse302 One Thing Series School Leadership Podcast

By Joe & T.J. from theschoolhouse302.comEducation
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TheSchoolHouse302 One Thing Series School Leadership Podcast episodes

  • Read This: Two Books that School Leaders Must Read to Better Support New Teachers
    If You’re Going to Lead then You Must Read
    Learning and growing as a school leader through reflection, training, and experience is a professional choice. One powerful way to improve is through reading great books, which is why we feature two books on a particular topic each month. These are books that we have curated from 100s of titles to help school leaders to lead better and grow faster.
    This month we are completely focused on the 5 ways that school leaders can support new teachers. These are five research-based strategies to support and retain your most vulnerable teaching population. This is critical becasue we are definitely facing a crisis in education. School districts are moving to four-day weeks simply due to lack of staff. In a recent Ed Week article by Madeline Will, she wrote the following,
    “...the researchers estimate that there are more than 36,500 teacher vacancies in the nation. They also estimate that there are more than 163,500 positions filled by teachers who aren’t fully certified or are not certified in the subject area they’re teaching.” Will, M. Ed Week (2022)
    The data are staggering. If you want to dig into the government database and find out specifics in your state, click here.
    The Definitive 5 Ways to Support New Teachers
    #1. Maintain high standards while providing support for growth
    #2. Increase productivity by being present and using praise
    #3. Balance risk and autonomy to unlock innovation
    #4. Communicate the expectations of the position
    #5. Provide meaningful mentorship
    These are proven ways that demonstrate support, while maintaining a culture of excellence and high standards. To support these efforts, we feature two great books to help you as a leader.
    Joe’s Pick: The Power of Unstoppable Momentum: Key Drivers to Revolutionize Your District
    Featured Authors: Michael Fullan & Mark A. Edwards
    The Power of Unstoppable Momentum is an incredible book with very specific examples about how to achieve dramatic results in your school.
    There are few features that really stand out for Joe in this book:
    Technology is not the answer. Time-and-time again research shows that technology is a tool that highly effective teachers master. The tool itself is not the answer.
    Fullan and Edwards provide very specific ways for schools to excel, specifically through coherence, which is the “...the degree to which people at the school and district levels have a common sense of the district’s core priorities and how to achieve them” (Fullan & Edwards, 2017).
    T.J.’s Pick: Retention for A Change: Motivate Inspire, and Energize Your School Culture
    Featured Authors: Joseph Jones, Salome Thomas-El, & T.J. Vari
    We rarely promote our own work, but this book is written on the topic of teacher retention, and we dedicate two chapters to new teachers. This is the second book in a two-part series designed to attract and retain incredible teachers. Both books, Building a Winning Team and Retention for A Change are built on the effective reading strategy, BDA.
    T.J. dives right into explaining how school leaders must embrace their responsibility to build a culture that Motivates, Inspires, and Energizes the staff.
    He emphasizes that the book is filled with practical stories that any school leader can implement for great school success.
    Lastly, this book is filled with models to guide leaders. Whether it is the BDA, which can be applied in a number of strategic ways, or striving for Habitual Happiness Highpoints, the models guide school leaders.
    Enjoy both of these books to lead better and grow faster as school leaders. We always appreciate a like, a follow, a comment, or a share.
    Let us know what you’re reading by contacting us at [email protected]. And don’t miss our leadership newsletter every week by subscribing on the site.
    We can’t wait to hear from you.
    9 min
  • 302 Thoughts with Joe and T.J. -- 5 Proven Ways for School Leaders to Support New Teachers
    In this episode of 302 Thoughts, Joe and T.J. dig into how school leaders must be very tactical about supporting their new teachers. So much time is spent identifying personnel needs, preparing for interviews, drafting the right questions, using the write words in the position posting, and the interview itself, but all of that means nothing if you fail to support teachers once they are hired. That’s all preparation for the game, not the game itself. If you want to play at a higher level, you realize the real work is after the hiring is done.
    In this episode, listen to Joe paint a dismal picture regarding vacancies across the U.S. This is why school leaders can’t mess up onboarding and support. What do the data say, in short, we are in a crisis:
    36,500 teacher vacancies
    163,500 positions filled by teachers who aren’t fully certified
    T.J. develops the conversation further by discussing our most vulnerable teacher populations:
    Our Best Teachers
    Our New Teachers
    He explains that our best teachers are in high demand, so if they aren’t receiving the support and professional growth they need, they may walk right into the door of another school. The other population is our new teachers. The first few years are challenging, and there are a lot of lucrative industries willing to pay, support, and develop them if they choose to leave early. These teachers will walk out the door and right into another industry; one that is readily waiting to scoop them up and pay more than new teachers make in their first 5 years.
    There are only a few solutions to these problems so be sure to tune in and don’t miss what T.J. says about the power of specific praise. Praise seems easy but the data don’t lie: 70% of staff don’t feel celebrated, while 70% of managers say they praise. There is a disconnect somewhere!
    Don’t miss Joe’s one key takeaway-- be outrageously involved. You can’t let your new teachers’ growth happen by chance. You need to be connected, often and intentionally.
    T.J.’s one key takeaway--leaders need to talk behind people’s back. Not the way you think. You have to hear what he says about what it means for collective efficacy.
    T.J. and Joe always provide the how with the what, enabling school leaders to lead better and grow faster.
    Let our team know if there’s a topic that you want Joe and T.J. to cover by leaving a comment below or by contacting us at [email protected].
    Was this forwarded to you? Subscribe on the site.
    We can’t wait to hear from you.
    Joe & T.J.
    15 min
  • Frederick White: The Labyrinth of Leadership
    About Frederick White
    Dr. Frederick White is the COO of Digital PD 4 You, LLC and the author of the book, The Skin You Are In: Colorism in the Black Community, the First (2020) and Second (2021) Edition. Frederick has served as a leader in the educational field for twenty-four years.
    Dr. White has also spent the past fourteen years serving as an AVID staff development instructor. Dr. White obtained a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Trevecca University
    and currently serves as a principal of a middle school in Memphis-Shelby County Schools in Tennessee.
    His newest book is The Labyrinth of Leadership: Navigating Your Way Through the Maze, which we talk about on the show along with so much more leadership insight for school leaders who are looking to lead better and grow faster.
    Follow Frederick on Twitter @fdwhite02 to get his bi-weekly Labyrinth of Leadership tips for school leaders.
    What You’ll Find in this Podcast Episode with Frederick White
    The Labyrinth of Leadership, as Fredrick explains it, is a solicitation of ideas from leaders around the country--folks with “skin in the game.”
    Don’t miss what Dr. White says about his personal take-away from the Labyrinth project.
    Listen to the language he uses, so important and grossly undervalued.
    Frederick talks about self-reflection as a universal need for leaders. It’s all about finding the time.
    Dr. White tells us about the importance of defining the “end product.” This part is profound.
    He says that the greatest leaders are the ones who are willing to continue to grow, regardless of how much they have achieved.
    Joe asks Frederick to explain one of his recent tweets about celebrating small wins. Every school leader needs to hear this.
    Dr. White talks about the difference between goal setting and dream chasing. This alone is worth the listen. Be a dream chaser!
    You want to hear the part about failure being the struggle that we often need to grow. Frederick’s butterfly story is awesome.
    Frederick mentions both Principal Kafele and Todd Whitaker as inspiration.
    Check out The Principal Project.
    Advice from Dr. White: pause and go for a walk. Just taking the time to walk and observe is powerful for peace, self-reflection, and a solid reminder of what we want and need.
    Frederick is striving for the most perfect environment he can provide. His reflection about this is great.
    To continue to grow, Frederick starts by never settling. He looks to be present with his teachers to learn from them. He mentions writing and researching as things that force him to continue to grow.
    Books We Recommend Based on this Podcast with Frederick White
    What Great Principals Do Differently by Todd Whitaker
    Is My School Better Because oI Lead It by Baruti Kafele
    Let us know if there’s a guest who you want us to have on the show by leaving a comment below or by contacting us at [email protected]. And don’t miss our leadership content updates every week by subscribing on the site.
    We can’t wait to hear from you.
    Joe & T.J.
    39 min
  • 302 Thoughts with Joe and T.J.: Two Mental Shifts Toward Better School Leadership
    302 Thoughts for School Leaders
    In this episode of 302 Thoughts, Joe and T.J. dig into how school leaders must shift their minds to lead better and grow faster.
    Shifting our mindset is not easy. It requires a dogged pursuit to focus our mind in the most productive ways to function better as a leader. There are two major shifts that are worth making--embracing courage instead of being ruled by fear and maintaining a long-term mentality. Both of these are challenging but incredibly rewarding.
    In this episode, listen to Joe describe the power of cognitive dissonance and the stockdale paradox that we learned from Jim Collins.
    Learning to push forward and donning a cape of courage, rather than fretting with fear, is the mental shift that will push an organization forward.
    T.J. reminds listeners that the key is to fear less, not be fearless. Dive further into this idea with Tim Ferris and Performance Psychologist Michael Gervais.
    Lastly, Joe talks about how you can do this through the power of teamwork and developing collective efficacy.
    Joe’s one key takeaway for school leaders is that shifting from fear to courage is a choice. Be aware of the situation and then move forward.
    T.J. brings up a critical notion about data usage in schools. Having a data consciousness allows you to deal with reality when confronted with opinion. You’ll want to hear more about how to do this as a school leader.
    The truth is that if you're leading, you are not alone. Learn to lean in and lean on others. This is where T.J. picks up the ball and pivots to the other critical mental shift--Long-Term thinking.
    Don’t miss T.J. discuss the critical importance of pre-planning.
    T.J. talks about how leaders are susceptible to falling into the trap of constantly putting out the urgent fires at the expense of what’s important. This is one of the key concepts from our latest book, 7 Mindshifts for School Leaders.
    T.J. also dives into time-blocking for an effective way to schedule each day. This is not a strategy that you want to overlook. Especially, if you are facing the difficult crossroads of important versus urgent work.
    Readers are reminded of the 5 bad boss behaviors to avoid.
    T.J.'s one key takeaway for school leaders: plan. Leading is a choice that can’t be left to chance.
    T.J. and Joe always provide the how with the what, enabling school leaders to lead better and grow faster.
    Let us know if there’s a topic you want us to cover by leaving a comment below or by contacting us at [email protected]. And don’t miss our leadership content updates every week by subscribing on the site.
    We can’t wait to hear from you.
    Joe & T.J.
    14 min
  • Two Books that School Leaders Must Read to Be More Courageous and Future Forward
    Leaders are Readers
    Learning and growing as a school leader through reflection, training, and experience is a professional choice. One powerful way to improve is through reading great books, which is why we feature two books on a particular topic each month. These are books that we believe can help school leaders to lead better and grow faster.
    This month we are completely focused on two mental shifts that school leaders must make for greater success. The first is shifting from a place of fear to operating in a space of courage. The second is shifting from short-term thinking to long-term thinking. As easy as it is to grasp both of these concepts as necessary, shifting the mind from fear to courage and from short-term reaction to long-term planning is incredibly difficult. That’s why we’ve chosen these two books that are designed to shepherd you through making the change necessary to lead better and grow faster.
    Joe’s Pick: How to Stop Worrying and Start Living
    Featured Author: Dale Carnegie
    First, let’s acknowledge that Dale Carnegie is a beast. His work, How to Win Friends and Influence People is legendary and a must read for anyone who is serious about leading effectively. However, How to Stop Worrying and Start Living is also a phenomenal book, filled with incredible advice that applies to school leadership. There are few things that really stand out for Joe in this book:
    Carnegie fills the book with relatable stories from practical people. The stories are real and you’ll find yourself in the people he features.
    He offers advice that you can implement right away. Suggestions like “living in day-tight compartments” make a ton of sense.
    Carnegie also writes about the importance of mental attitudes and how to cultivate the right mindset--to make a mental decision to be happy and live a full life, as an example. He reminds readers of the eight most important words we can ever hear, “our life is what our thoughts make it.” ~ Marcus Aurelius
    This book is a must read so you too can live and lead from a seat of courage with tools to help you as the worry and fear creep into your life.
    T.J.’s Pick: The Power of One More: The Ultimate Guide to Happiness and Success
    Featured Author: Ed Mylett
    If you don’t know Ed Mylett, stop reading this post right now and Google his name: Ed Mylett. Ed is an impressive leader who has taken social media by storm over the last few years. He built his fortune in the financial services industry, as what he describes a team-made millionaire. That’s one reason we love his work. It’s not about Ed. Granted, his endeavors have worked out very well for him, but his service and dedication to people are very evident in his shows and books. Here are a few reasons why T.J. chose The Power of One More as his pick this month:
    Mylett humbly describes what “the power of one more” is really about and how he learned to be resilient. His description of his alcoholic, turned sober, father is compelling. Ed attributes much of his success to his father but not always through the good times.
    The book is filled with sage advice, but one great takeaway is how Ed organizes his day and time. The advice is radical although it makes sense. Dividing up your day is very effective and can lead to astronomical productivity.
    Mylett decrees why this work is important to him. His WHY will inspire you to ensure that yours is clear too.
    Enjoy both of these books to lead better and grow faster as school leaders. We always appreciate a like, a follow, a comment, or a share.
    Let us know what you’re reading by contacting us at [email protected]. And don’t miss our leadership newsletter every week by subscribing on the site.
    We can’t wait to hear from you.
    Joe & T.J.
    10 min
  • Ryan Hawk: Being Able to Change Your Mind is a Super Power
    Leaders have to regularly do hard things. ~ Ryan Hawk
    About Ryan Hawk
    Ryan Hawk is the host of The Learning Leader Show. He has recorded more than 475 episodes over the past 7 years. Forbes called The Learning Leader Show, “the most dynamic leadership podcast around.” Inc Magazine said, “it’s one of the 5 podcasts to make you a smarter leader.” Apple named it an “all-time best seller” in 2020 and 2021.
    Ryan is the author of Welcome to Management: How To Grow From Top Performer To Excellent Leader. Book Authority named it to its 100 Best Management Audiobooks of all time (#25). Forbes called it, “the best leadership book of 2020.” Ryan’s second book is called The Pursuit of Excellence: The Uncommon Behaviors of The World’s Most Productive Achievers. It sold through its first printing in eight hours and shot to the top of the Amazon rankings.
    Previously, Ryan worked in corporate America for 12 years. He started as an entry-level telephonic sales rep and worked his way to manager, director, and ultimately VP of sales for a multi-billion-dollar company.
    When he’s not recording podcasts or writing books, he tries to help leaders be more effective. Some of the ways that he does that is through Leadership Circles, 1:1 advising, and teaching in The Learning Leader Academy (the online school that he created). Ryan has delivered hundreds of keynote speeches on leadership and performance excellence all over the world.
    What You’ll Find in this Podcast Episode with Ryan Hawk
    Ryan mentions tremendous leaders and their ability to change their mind. Don’t miss what he says about being hard on values but soft on beliefs.
    Check out what Ryan says when Joe talks about humility versus confidence.
    Ryan has interviewed tremendous individuals on his Learning Leader Podcast, listen to his Jim Collins reference from Episode 216.
    Thoughtful Intentions: find out what kitchen cabinets have to do with leadership and who you surround yourself with.
    Ryan says to pick your mentors based on someone who did something that you admire and that they did it in a way that you admire. Don’t miss what he says about specificity.
    Ryan talked about his parents and upbringing. Listen to how they were influential in terms of their work ethic.
    Listen to what Ryan says about showing up and doing the work without balance to achieve success early and in the long run.
    You want to hear how Ryan thinks about seasons, both in life and the year.
    You don’t want to miss why Ryan wants to be home at 3:00PM each day and what he’ll do to make that happen.
    How he picks his guests for his podcasts is very intriguing and speaks to how he thinks and learns as a leader.
    We loved what he says about living at the edge of your current zone of competency. Stretching yourself is critical as a leader. Ask this: Am I going to learn from this?
    Cambridge, Massachusetts, home to many mental giants. You’ll want to tune into the simplicity in his answer about imposter syndrome.
    Ryan has evolved his thoughts about leadership styles and the meaning of being a leader.
    Books We Recommend Based on this Podcast with Ryan Hawk
    The Pursuit of Excellence by Ryan Hawk
    Welcome to Management by Ryan Hawk
    Good to Great by Jim Collins
    Let us know if there’s a guest who you want us to have on the show by leaving a comment below or by contacting us at [email protected]. And don’t miss our leadership content updates every week by subscribing on the site.
    We can’t wait to hear from you.
    Joe & T.J.
    37 min
  • 302 Thoughts: Great School Leaders Know How to Turn Crisis Into Opportunity
    In this episode of 302 Thoughts, Joe and T.J. dig into how school leaders can turn adversity into opportunity. Every leader will face issues and how they perceive those problems often determines how they will approach them, which can be the difference between success and failure.
    Listen to Joe describe the power of It’s Possible. This isn’t just wishful thinking but an earnest belief that regardless of the situation there is a silver lining. Inspired by Les Brown, Joe makes a compelling case for using this same belief and attitude in education. We know that every school and district is facing issues, whether it’s attracting and retaining teachers, student mental health needs, limited resources, unfunded mandates, etc. Take your pick, the list is long.
    T.J. ties this winning mindset to these perennial problems, and if we want to solve the most difficult issues facing education, leaders are going to need the proper mindset. T.J. mentions the crisis mindset definition that we created, which can be found in our upcoming book, 7 Mindshifts for for School Leaders: Finding New Ways to Think About Old Problems.
    Crisis Mindset Definition: An unfiltered 360° view and approach to solving problems with urgency that abandons conventional wisdom and accepted restraints until a meaningful solution is found, implemented, and sustainable.
    Lastly, they talk about a critical leadership hack: make it tangible. Too often, issues seem abstract and elusive. One way to combat this is by writing the problem on a sheet of paper and setting it in the center of the table for everyone to see. This strategy seems odd, but it allows the group to focus and deal with what is right in front of them. Try it and let us know how it works out.
    T.J. and Joe always provide the how with the what, enabling school leaders to lead better and grow faster.
    Let us know if there’s a topic you want us to cover by leaving a comment below or by contacting us at [email protected]. And don’t miss our leadership content updates every week by subscribing on the site.
    We can’t wait to hear from you.
    Joe & T.J.
    15 min
  • Great School Leaders Find Opportunity in Crisis
    Leaders are Readers
    Learning and growing as a school leader through reflection, training, and experience is a professional choice. One powerful way to improve is through reading great books, which is why we feature a couple of books on a particular topic each month. These are books we enjoy and believe are worth reading.
    Our aim is to link great books to our theme for the month. This month we are focused on school leaders recognizing the opportunity within a crisis. We know how incredibly challenging this can be because every issue brings with it the fact that it also dominates everyone’s mental energy, which means that looking for opportunity in the very moment that you’re trying to solve a problem can be daunting. However, the crisis itself may be our only chance to think differently to not only solve the problem at hand but also determine what advantages may arise during the situation that can be applied in the future. Because this type of thinking is necessary during a crisis, we chose these two powerful books this month. Common with John Maxwell books, they offer sage advice coupled with practical skills. Great leaders don’t just read books to gather tips and steps for how to lead but also the style of thinking required to lead better and grow faster. Great leaders are heavy readers and deep thinkers.
    Joe’s Pick: Good Leaders Ask Great Questions
    Featured Author: John Maxwell
    If you’re going to lead effectively, you have to be able to ask great questions. This book presents questions in two different ways. First, it starts with questions that the leader should ask in various situations. Maxwell lists great questions that can get a conversation started even if you don’t know where or how to begin.
    We can’t stress enough how important it is to have canned questions to lean on. Asking great questions to get to the root of a problem is hard, and this book offers several gems. Second, the book details many of the questions that Maxwell has been asked as a leader. The insight into his thinking is powerful and will help any leader consider the various ways to navigate difficult situations.
    T.J.’s Pick: Failing Forward: Turning Mistakes into Stepping Stones for Success
    Featured Author: John Maxwell
    This book confronts success head on and why some people achieve it and others don’t. The difference between triumph and failure is a question that many people wonder about and Maxwell offers the answer--response to adversity. He starts the book with a compelling concept from J. Wallace Hamilton who argues that people generally train to be successful while they should be training for failure. And, in typical Maxwell fashion he illustrates his point through great stories, kicking it off with Mary Kay Ash.
    If you are going to lead you are going to have problems. It’s inevitable. Effective leaders not only understand that conflict is necessary but they learn how to thrive amid the adversity as they seek to make a change. It means that great leaders are willing to fail forward as they make things better. It’s what Seth Godin says about leadership: leaders are the ones who are willing to do something that might not work. This is a book that won’t disappoint, and every school leader should read it.
    Enjoy both of these books to lead better and grow faster as school leaders. We always appreciate a like, a follow, a comment, or a share.
    Let us know what you’re reading by contacting us at [email protected]. And don’t miss our leadership newsletter every week by subscribing on the site.
    We can’t wait to hear from you.
    Joe & T.J.
    13 min
  • An Innovative Look at Restorative Practices in Schools with Nathan Maynard
    When we start a new initiative in schools, we have to take into account the rich tapestry of things that are already in place. ~ Nathan Maynard
    About Nathan Maynard
    Nathan Maynard is a youth advocate, educational leader, and change maker. He is the co-author of the Washington Post bestselling and award-winning book, Hacking School Discipline: 9 Ways to Create a Culture of Empathy and Responsibility Using Restorative Justice.
    Nathan also is the co-founder of BehaviorFlip, the first restorative behavior management software. Nathan studied Behavioral Neuroscience at Purdue University and has been facilitating restorative practices for over 15 years. He was awarded “Youth Worker of the Year” through dedicating his time with helping underserved and underprivileged youth involved with the juvenile justice system in Indiana. He was on the founding administration team that opened Purdue University’s first high school in 2017, Purdue Polytechnic High School, serving youth in inner city Indianapolis, Indiana. Prior to his four years as a school administrator, he was a youth worker and program director in a youth residential treatment care center.
    He is passionate about addressing the school-to-prison pipeline crisis and closing the achievement gap through implementing trauma-informed behavioral practices. Nathan has expertise in Dialectical Behavioral Coaching, Motivational Interviewing, Positive Youth Development, Restorative Justice, and Trauma-Informed building practices to assist with creating positive school climates. He now runs a team of people who do restorative implementation work, called the Restorative Group. Check them out restorativegroup.org.
    What You’ll Find in this Podcast Episode with Nathan Maynard
    Nathan starts the podcast with a strong stance on how systems and structures are necessary for innovation to last, particularly those on restorative practices.
    Nathan gives us a quick history lesson on how restorative practices are tied to indigenous roots.
    One pillar of innovation is listening. Nathan talked about using qualitative data in addition to quantitative data, particularly within micro-communities.
    Nathan mentions Dr. Luke Roberts from Cambridge and his powerful work within systems.
    Don’t miss what Nathan says about internalizing change and attacking fixed disposition. He truly appreciates The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz.
    Nathan’s insight about the ripple effect of innovation and restorative justice is transformative.
    Nathan talks about what makes a good leader great. He refers back to Dr. Luke Roberts a second time. The story that Nathan tells about how Dr. Roberts changed his mind regarding restorative practices is great. Very impressive.
    He recommends being more self-aware and being conscious of your self-talk. His personal strategies are great tools for every leader. You need a bowl with water and ice…listen why.
    Nathan talked about getting better at collecting “street data.” Check out Street Data by Shane Safir and Jamila Dugan
    He learns by listening, interviews, being involved in groups, and honoring others’ ideas. This part is inspiring.
    “Success doesn’t have to be tangible.” Nathan used to think that it was all about the external data. He switches that point-of-view to an internal notion of success. Listen to what he says about making success intangible.
    As always, let us know what you think of this with a like, a follow, or a comment. Find us on Twitter, YouTube, iTunes, Facebook, & SoundCould. And, again, if you want one simple model for leading better and growing faster per month, follow this blog by entering your email at the top right of the screen. We hope you’ll tell a friend or book us to join your team for professional learning.
    TheSchoolHouse302 is about getting to simple by maximizing effective research-based strategies that empower individuals to lead better and grow faster.
    Joe & T.J.
    43 min
  • 302 Thoughts: 3 Ideas About an Innovative School Culture That Really Work
    In this episode of 302 Thoughts, Joe and T.J. dig into how leaders can implement, develop, and support innovation in schools by identifying three ideas that actually work for school leaders.
    Innovation in schools is often a byproduct of other areas of focus. For example, if schools purchase instructional technology, many leaders hope that the byproduct will be innovation. The fallacy in this approach is that the tool is the primary focus and not a culture of innovation beyond what the tool might provide. We know that computers and other devices alone don’t improve instruction or student performance nor will they be used with efficacy and excitement if the culture doesn’t already support innovation.
    However, in the right hands, those tools can completely transform a classroom. This is why innovation is so critical; it’s not a thing, but a value. By maintaining and fostering innovation as a value, we can permeate other areas of schooling and not just the obvious application of new tools, like technology.
    Other school practices demand innovative thinking. From human resources and creating innovative hiring practices to school discipline and bell schedules. Innovation is critical to reach greater heights of performance. This is why school leaders have to be intentional and embrace their role as the chief innovation officer.
    This doesn’t mean that school leaders have to be the model innovator, but rather create the culture that nurtures it. To ensure that this happens, we offer a unique 3-part model to help school leaders think about what it means to create a culture of innovation.
    Listen to Joe describe how great schools and its leaders don’t put a lid on innovation. The school must maintain innovation as a norm during meetings, professional learning, PLCs, all facets of the organization.
    T.J. explains how the three core areas of focus--diversity, open dialogue, and risk-taking--are essential.
    Diversity: Diversify the staff and other teams for new and unique thinking.
    Open Dialogue: Create norms where new ideas are free-flowing in safe spaces.
    Risk-Taking: Encourage staff to take calculated risks and learn from their experiences.
    Lastly, they describe how schools cannot only focus on the WHY, and the reasons for something, but also embrace a “bias for action” and develop a culture of TRY.
    T.J. and Joe always provide the how with the what, enabling school leaders to lead better and grow faster. To become a CIO in your school, try the following:
    Look at your teams through a diversity lens.
    Ensure meetings allocate time to discuss innovative ideas and practices.
    Praise effort and encourage persistence.
    We conclude this month’s 302 Thoughts with this quote from Peter Drucker, "If you want something new, you have to stop doing something old.”
    Let us know if there’s a topic you want us to cover by leaving a comment below or by contacting us at [email protected]. And don’t miss our leadership content updates every week by subscribing on the site.
    We can’t wait to hear from you.
    Joe & T.J.
    12 min

About TheSchoolHouse302 One Thing Series School Leadership Podcast

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