30 Years. 30 Lessons.

The coming school year will be my 30th in public education.  It hardly seems possible, but I’ve double checked the math. It’s been an extraordinary journey so far, and I am beyond grateful for the wonderful experiences and opportunities that have been afforded me. Inspired by my friend and colleague Chris Kennedy, who is well known for posting lists on his Culture of Yes blog, I have decided to commemorate the occasion by posting a list of my own. Over the past couple of weeks, I spent some time reflecting on my career with the aim of trying to distill 30 of the most essential lessons I’ve learned along the way. The themes, naturally, will skew toward leadership, learning, and public education. As with all lists, mine is far from perfect, but after three decades, these are the ones that stand out. 

1. You can't steer a parked car.  
   If you decide to wait because you don’t have every detail worked out, or because you are not 100% certain about the direction you want to go, you may never move. Sometimes you have to choose a direction and get moving in order to find the right path or off ramp.  
2. Kids don’t care how much you know, but they know how much you care. 
   Learning is a fundamentally human enterprise. When you value and respect the uniqueness of individuals first, your chances of them engaging with the content go way up.   
3. There’s a big difference between teaching for twenty years and teaching the same year twenty times. 
   It’s not about getting it down to the point you don’t have to adjust. It’s the opposite. It’s about constant refinement and being willing to adapt and change. And it applies to all of us. 
4. While you are busy making plans for the day, remember, the day has plans for you.
   Nothing wrong with being organized and well prepared. But remember, things will happen that will require you to pivot. A crisis, an incident, an unexpected event, may well need to be the priority. When you expect the unexpected, you are far less likely to let frustration and disappointment win the day. 
5. You are responsible for the energy you bring into a space.
   Attitudes and energy are contagious. Leaders know this and behave accordingly. We all should. 
6. The little things are the BIG things.
   Saying Please and Thank you. Taking time to say hello. Remembering names. Offering a smile or a helping hand. Notes of appreciation. Don’t be too busy to do these things.
7. Never let a good crisis go to waste. 
   We learn from everything. Especially the things that challenge us and push us outside our comfort zones. Take the time to reflect on lessons learned, personally and with your team. 
8. Don’t take it personally.
   It’s easy to say. Not easy to do. In your professional life (and personal too) you will encounter all kinds of people and opinions. Listen for the underlying message. Don’t fixate. If you make a mistake, learn from it, own it, and move on.
9. Trust the Process.
   Whether it's hiring, discipline, or strategic planning, a clear and transparent process is your friend.  
10. First espresso. Then life.
    Life is short. And at times very busy. Take a moment to start things right every day. For me, it's espresso. 
11. When the teachable moment arises, go with it.
    It happens all the time. Don’t be afraid to go there. Incidental learning is powerful. 
12. Get out of your office.  
    Being visible and present matters. So does engaging with your team. And besides, I’m willing to bet your best ideas have rarely ever happened in the office. Get out of there. No one else cares that you culled your inbox. 
13. Be flexible.
    There is a Japanese proverb that says it is better to be like the willow than the oak. When the strong wind blows, the willow bends and the oak tree breaks. When we find ourselves being rigid about something, there is a place for you to explore. 
14. Programs are really People.
    Over the years I’ve seen many wonderful programs. Examples include: athletics, robotics, leadership development, and mentoring. Behind every successful program I’ve ever seen are passionate, skilled, and talented people. Invest in, and nurture, those people, and great programs will follow.  
15. Breathe.
    Let’s face it, to do lists can be never-ending. Take time to catch your breath. A good exhale is great for your nervous system. You’ll pay the price if you neglect this. 
16. Be able to linger in uncertainty and ambiguity.
    I get it. People crave clarity. And many people crave a high degree of control. But the world is nuanced, and sometimes things need to be fuzzy for a while before they become clear. And the world is very uncertain at the best of times. Don’t fight it.
17. The grass is greener where you water it. 
    Not sure who said it, but it resonates. And in my experience, it's true.
18. If you don’t tell the story, someone else might. 
    Where is your school, organization, classroom, or enterprise going and why? Be compelling. People respect vision.
19. When in doubt, pan out.
    Don’t lose the Big Picture. If you’re getting lost in the weeds, come up for air and remind yourself of the larger Mission and Vision. 
20. If a ladybug lands on you, it’s good luck.
    One landed on my 25-year-old daughter while she was with us at the lake this summer. She reminded all of us it was good luck. It was a good reminder. 
21. Borrowing this one from Stephen Covey: We move at the speed of trust. 
    Good for leaders to remember. Good for everyone.
22. Integrity and authenticity above all.
    We can all spot the real thing. Without this, it just doesn't feel right. 
23. The ship is safest in the harbour, but that is not what she was built for. 
    Yes, another proverb. We can’t play it safe all the time. Take some risks. See what you're capable of. But don’t be reckless.
24. Sometimes it is better to wait.
    I remember wanting to clear up some loose ends on a Friday afternoon and made a phone call to do just that. It wasn't the time, but my desire to cross it off the list compelled me.  It didn't go well. In hindsight, had I let things cool until Monday, the issue likely would have resolved itself anyway.  The lesson stayed with me.
25. Focus on where you are.
    A lot of people ask me if I have any advice around career advancement. My answer has always been the same. Focus on being as good as you possibly can in your current role first. A desire to “move up” is best when it follows a commitment to being excellent and a demonstration of such in your current role.  
26. Walk and Talk.
    I empathize with students who struggle to sit still for long periods of time. Historically, education has valued things like quiet, focus, sitting still, reading, and listening. Of course, today, we know bodies are built to move, and our schools and classrooms reflect this more than ever. But it matters for all of us.  Find ways to move in the workday.   Need to discuss an issue/topic with someone – try a “walk and talk” meeting.  
27. Always scan the landscape.
    Teachers do this instinctively in their classrooms. Who is on task? Who is distracted? Who needs help? This mindset has transferred over nicely to every role I’ve held. Where are we thriving? Where do we need to improve? Who is performing well? Who might need support?  
28. Read.
    It’s old school. But it works. Books. Articles. Classics. Modern. Digital. Read.  
29. G.S.D. (Get Stuff Done). 
    A lot of people like to talk. Or to criticize others. Or to imagine doing things. But in the end, action wins. Doing is what counts. Get. Stuff. Done. 
30. Be Grateful.
    We all have bad days. Even weeks or years that can be tough. But there are always silver linings. Find them and be grateful.  

They say that experience is a great teacher. Reflecting back, I have a renewed appreciation for the path I've been able to travel professionally. Many wonderful people have helped along the way. That said, a good number of these lessons were learned the hard way. I've made my share of mistakes. But I know that's how we learn. And believe me when I tell you, I'm still learning.