Sunday Advice - From a LYS Reader

“In response to the request for interesting advice that we have received in the past, one piece definitely stands out for me. My current principal often shares with us, ‘Seek first to understand, then to be understood.’

I think this is especially profound in the field of education. It can be applied not only to our interactions with students but also with co-workers. I have seen my principal lead with this type of thinking on our campus, and it has definitely brought forth positive change.

I remember this advice often when I get frustrated or upset with the way people respond or handle situations. When I try to understand their perspectives first, I find myself responding in a much more positive and constructive way. It has been a very important part of my short time as a school leader on my campus!”

SC Response
Excellent. Now, if the person who sent me this piece of advice will send me a mailing address, I’ll send you, your koozie.

Send in your favorite piece advice and your mailing address and if it gets posted on a Sunday, you’ll get a world famous Lead Your School can koozie.

Think. Work. Achieve.

Your turn...

A Democratic Revolution?

On Saturday's, I sometimes allow the blog to go off on tangents. This is going to be one of those tangents. We'll get back on track with the next posting.

I am fascinated by what is going on in Iran right now, for two reasons.

1 - We could very well be watching a democratic revolution in its infancy; and

2 - The overthrow of the Shah and the capture of the American Embassy was the first major world political event that I was old enough to follow and understand at a basic level.

This means that I am a junkie on the democratic process in both theory and practice; and I'm getting old.

That being said, I am including a link to Fareed Zakaria's column, "Fatal Wound Inflicted on Iranian's Regime's Ideology." In one page, he sums up the major points and implications of what we are currently observing.

Consider the following your weekend Social Studies homework. There may be a quiz.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/06/19/zakaria.iran.elections/index.html?eref=rss_topstories

Think. Work. Achieve.

Your turn...

If You Missed the Speaking Tour

In response to recent Lead Your School reader suggestions, I have posted the conclusion of the "Be the Shepherd," presentation on-line. The audio clip can be accessed through the following link:

www.leadyourschool.com/Jump_Start_Your_School.html

Think. Work. Achieve.

Your turn...

A Reader Writes... (Who is Brezina - Part 4)

In response for the call to expound on the legend of Brezina, a Lead Your School reader submits the following:

“Brezina taught me about the culture of a school district. I learned in the leadership training academy that if you are not cognizant of the culture of the school and you dive in, you will have a tough road ahead of you. The board has a personality of its own, and you have to bend your philosophy towards their quirky ways. This has been valuable information for me at my own district. I became educated on the "hillbilly" ways of doing things, and it has helped be super-successful. Brezina was right.”

SC Response
Here is the context behind the advice, which the poster understands, but might be missed by the casual reader. You do not compromise your ethics, passion and vision. Think of yourself more as a coach from year to year. As your personnel changes, you modify your approach in a way that maximizes team performance. You have to take the responsibility for understanding the strengths and weaknesses of the organization and then lead accordingly.

If we (me and the poster) missed something, Brezina will fill in the blanks.

Think Work. Achieve.

Your turn...

A Reader Writes... (Who is Brezina - Part 3)

In response for the call to expound on the legend of Brezina, a Lead Your School reader submits the following:

“I was working with a school in South Texas and had scheduled to meet with the staff during the early Spring of 2007. When I got there, I met Bob for the first time. He was sitting in the meeting room with the room full of teachers, the campus Principal, and the district Superintendent.

Bob had the floor first and proceeded to tell the entire room that, 'You all just aren't getting the job done.'

Everyone reading this blog knows how that went over. After he finished (less than one minute of talk time) he leaned over to me and said, 'I have to leave, I have a plane to catch. Now figure out how to get this fixed and get them all on the same page.'

Needless to say, I spent four long hours in that room trying to get them to focus on the problem. Although it was very uncomfortable, they buckled down and got a plan together. Low and behold we managed to get them off the unacceptable list and we all made it out of there alive.

I didn't realize that this was going to be the meeting where we had to have the 'hard conversation,' but Bob cut straight to the chase, and still does. – JM”

SC Response
One reason why Brezina is successful, and brings out the best in his people is that he cuts off our avenues of easy escape. Left to our own accord it is easy to dance around the real issue for hours, days, weeks and even years. With Brezina, the real issue is the only issue – fix it and move on.

Now where are the rest of stories? I know they are out there.

Think. Work. Achieve.

Your turn...

A Reader Writes... (Fear - Part 10)

In response to the posts on, “Fear,” a reader writes:

“The ‘Fear’ blogs have really hit home with me professionally. As I have moved into leadership positions, I have found that occasionally the fear monster creeps into my life and steals the passion that I have about education right out from beneath me. However, I am learning that it has not always been a negative experience. Each time that I have moved outside my comfort zone, I have learned from the experience.

It is funny that I have realized that you are never too old to learn simple life lessons, such as your seemingly worst enemies can teach you the greatest lessons. Remember that those that fear you will always find a way to point out your negative attributes…and let’s face it, those are the ones that need improvement if you are to become a successful leader. I have learned to work on making the enemy my ally by finding their most important assets, pointing them out to the person, and motivating them to share with others. Negativism can become cancerous to your staff, so why not work on using their power of persuasion in a positive way.”

SC Response
I have two thoughts that relate to this comment. First, fear is nothing to be ashamed of. Leadership is a huge responsibility. Even in the relatively safe confines of a campus - lives, careers, and futures can hinge on a single decision. Couple that with the fact that the more proactive and aggressive you are, the more you have to rely on incomplete data and information. But as the reader reminds us, there is more growth and knowledge to be gained outside our comfort zone, rather than in it.

Second, I like the idea of using the strengths of your enemies to win them to your side. That doesn’t mean we slow down, but I do understand that an eventual neutral is much more useful than a consistent naysayer.

Think. Work. Achieve.

Your turn...

A Reader Writes... (Conference - Part 4)

“It is exciting to hear this type of feedback from the conference. I did not have the privilege of attending, but I have had the privilege of not only seeing Cain in action, but I have witnessed some of his work in person.

I took an assistant principal with me on one occasion to a DAEP that Cain was doing extensive work with. The AP left feeling inspired and wondering why our faculty did not put that much effort into kids. In fact, the AP said he did not want to go back to such a kid-negative environment after witnessing first hand what was happening at this model DAEP.

I am skeptical of most people who deliver professional development, but I will say this about Cain and E. Don Brown - they walk it like they talk it, and I have seen that with my own eyes.”

SC Response
Thank you for the kind words. It has always been my belief that if people are going to listen to you and put their careers on the line to implement your ideas, then you must be willing to do whatever it takes to make them successful. Brezina, Brown and I never forget that and do our best to live that every day. If you are coachable, we won't quit.

Think. Work. Achieve.

Your turn...

A Reader Writes... (Fear - Part 9)

In response to the posts on, “Fear,” a reader writes:

“Using fear as a motivator is a sign of leadership. Most people are afraid to explore new avenues for fear that they might fail. As leaders, when we embrace fear and overcome the “what-if’s,” it makes us stronger and more willing to change the status quo.”

SC Response
Again, back to the central premise of the original discussion, it is the type of fear that drives leaders, that actually separates them. Great leaders are afraid of “not doing something.”

Average leaders are afraid of doing the wrong thing, which means they often do nothing. In the best case scenario this perpetuates the status quo. In the worst case it allows the slow and gradual decline of the organization.

Think. Work. Achieve.

Your turn...

A Reader Writes... (Conference - Part 3)

"My principal has provided my school the opportunity to work with Sean Cain for the past 3 years. We have implemented the many suggestions that he has provided, including the GAME ON system, and our school has seen a tremendous turn around. Administrator accountability, teacher accountability, and student accountability have all soared.

Sean and his team support school leaders in doing what we often ask teachers to do - CHANGE. It has not always been easy, and sometimes it has been REALLY hard. But, when any professionals from the outside (central office, other schools, universities, etc.) walk into our school (1000 students, bilingual, and 75% low SES), they are simply amazed.

I am proud to say that no one out works our administrators, teachers, or students. I come to school every day knowing that almost all of us are working towards the same goals - STUDENT SUCCESS in both academics and behavior. And those who aren't quite with us on the same page receive constant attention, support and coaching.

During the past three years we have implemented many changes (and will continue to do so), and we are a hair’s breadth from being Exemplary on the TAKS. In terms on student behavior our students outperform the entire district. Currently we are Recognized, but not satisfied (and never will be). Much of this current success is based on suggestions Sean and his team have provided us.

I was able to hear Sean and Mike Laird at the Cy-Fair conference twice. If you were present at the last session on Friday, you were able to obtain some information that if implemented correctly will dramatically increase student performance. You were also able to witness the true passion Sean has for our craft. As I said earlier, Sean has been at my school numerous times, but this was the first time that I saw a different side to him while relaying his message and it was really special and motivating to see it.

Thanks for sharing your passion and providing this blog to post comments on a variety of topics!"

SC Response
First, thank you for the kind words. You give me too much credit for your success. I just made a few suggestions. You and your peers do all the heavy lifting. If you and the staff weren’t willing to work everyday to improve your craft, my suggestions would mean nothing.

Second, this reader’s school is a special place. I have yet to visit a campus that maintains a higher sense of instructional urgency, anywhere. When I worked for the state of Texas, I used this elementary school as a model school for low performing high schools. We would bring secondary school leaders and teachers from across the state to take notes and witness first hand what quality classroom instruction looks like. And they are much better now than they were then.

Third this school works smart: short-term common assessments; PowerWalks data; vertical teaming; Game On; etc. If you have read about something new or are thinking about doing something new, this campus is probably already doing it.

Fourth, this school knows its data and adapts accordingly. Last year they averaged less than five discipline referrals a week and missed being Exemplary by just four individual questions on the science test. How’s that for awareness?

Finally, yes - I actually was speechless at the end of that last presentation.

Think. Work. Achieve.

Your turn...

A Reader Writes... (Fear - Part 8)

In response to the post, “Fear – Part 5,” a reader writes,

“Psychopath you say? Well, put it to good use.

I have an affliction too: I never quit, even when fear (prudence?) says I should. Some people view me as a psychopath (among other words). Keep up the good work.”

SC Response
I know both of these posters personally (yet they have never met or talked, and they are both Brown Guys). They have both made a career out of leading the teams that on the surface offer a bigger chance of perceived failure, than success. Here is what is interesting about the two of them, and other like them. As they achieve success where no one thought it possible, they are driven to tackle the next “impossible” task. What others see as reckless action, I recognize as supreme confidence and complete mission understanding.

I had a superintendent (and early mentor) tell me that there were two types of great principals that every superintendent had to have on staff in order to be successful. The principal that could take a great campus to new heights; and the principal that could get the bad campus out of the ditch seemingly overnight.

These two school leaders are part of the “Out of the Ditch” crew.

Think. Work. Achieve.

Your turn...

A Reader Writes... (Conference - 2)

“I attended both of your sessions at the Rigor, Relevance and Relationship Conference (hosted by Cypress-Fairbanks ISD). Your presentations were direct, explicit and practical. I admire your vision and appreciate your guidance.”

SC Response
Thank you! Like you heard me say, anytime we can align both theory and practice in a way that positively impact students, it’s down right exciting.

Think. Work. Achieve.

Your turn…

A Reader Writes... (Fear - Part 7)

In response to the posts on, “Fear,” a reader writes:

“Fear is not a response, it is an emotion. We choose a response to the emotion. The response may well be negative (we may cower, run away, look for the easy way out, look for a way to appease - even though we are right). On the other hand the response to fear may be positive: we become more determined, more methodical, and prudent to potential dangers.

From a scientific point of view, the human emotion of fear has been naturally selected, for it is an emotion all humans (and all other animals) possess. If it was selected, it is because it helps us survive (fight or flight, in the primal example). Don’t fear, ‘Fear.’ Respect fear, harness fear, train yourself to respond in positive manners to fear, and you will have harnessed a primal emotion. Take it beyond fight or flight and turn it into a tool to be methodical.

In military and law enforcement we are trained to expect tunnel vision in potential terminal situations. Fear causes the eyesight to be more acute (tunnel vision), hearing is more acute, and you can become stronger and faster. Or you can let the physiological effects paralyze you and then you may well come out the loser in a potentially life and death situation. This is why military and law enforcement operators train, train, and train. In education we do the same thing: let the fear make you think, work, and achieve. Hey, that sounds familiar!”

SC Response
You are circling back to how the discussion started. Don’t be ashamed of, or paralyzed by fear. Recognize fear and use it to you and your school’s advantage. And again, if you have yet to face duty based fear, ask yourself, "Have I ever made myself be the first to step into the breech?"

Think. Work. Achieve.

Your turn…

The Places I Have Been

Let me first apologize for not keeping up with my posting duties. The past five days have been a whirlwind. In five days, I have conducted 9 presentations to over 1,100 school leaders in 3 different cities. And in each case the audiences were larger and more enthusiastic then ever before. Even the school board members were fired up to hear that dramatic and rapid school improvement is possible if you have the vision, desire and discipline.

Starting with the next post, we’ll continue the discussion on fear. I may have stopped writing for a couple of days, but you, the Lead Your School reader have not. So we will get caught up this week.

I want to thank all the Lead Your School readers who came up and said “hello” on this mini-speaking tour. One of the many highlights of the week was when I got to introduce Howard the blog participant to Mike the blog participant.

I want to thank Dr. Mike Laird, who came to my first presentation as a coach, to stand in my blind spot and give me some feedback on how to improve the presentations. And then quickly became an usher and finally a co-presenter as the audiences kept growing.

I want to thank Don Brown and Sherilynn Cotton who presented with me in Austin.

I want to thank Dr. Tommy Price and the Splendora ISD School Board. The opportunity to share with over 200 school board members the story of the ongoing “Splendora Miracle,” is just a small way to acknowledge their hard work and perseverance.

But most importantly, I want to thank the audiences at the Rigor, Relevance and Relationship Conference, hosted by Cypress-Fairbanks ISD. Your passion for knowledge is unrivaled and your focus on students unequalled. And for one of the few times in my life, I was speechless. I have included some pictures. For those of you who weren’t there, after all the chairs were taken, people brought their own chair from other sessions. After no more chairs could be squeezed in the room, people stood against the wall and sat on the floor. And finally, after every square inch of floor space was occupied, people stood and sat in the hall.

Again, thank you.

Think. Work. Achieve.

Your turn...