More Walk and Talk - Real Leadership Discussions

Early in my leadership career, my Superintendent, Bob Brezina, taught me the value of the “Walk & Talk.”  The “Walk & Talk” may be the most powerful induction / teaching / coaching tool in the arsenal of a leader. 

It works like this. 

1. On a regular basis, the leader goes to the site of the subordinate (instead of having the subordinate come to the leader).

2. The leader and the subordinate walk the subordinate’s site (instead of sitting in the subordinate’s office).

3. What is observed during the walk drives the discussion between the two. 

In these discussions the leader gets to talk about what should be done, why it should be done, and ideas on how it can be done.  With this conversation, the subordinate gains insight into how the leader thinks and the culture of the organization.

The subordinate talks about things that have been done and are being done; initiatives that are being implemented and issues that are being dealt with on the site.  The leader gains insight into the progress and capacity of the subordinate.

And all of this is being done while observing the actual work of the organization. 

Here is a suggested list of who walks with whom.

Superintendent: Walks with Assistant Superintendents and Principals

Assistant Superintendent: Walks with Directors and Principals

Principal: Walks with Assistant Principals, Counselors, Instructional Specialists and Teachers

Assistant Principal: Walks with Instructional Specialists and Teachers

The “Walk & Talk,” improves communication, relationships, staff capacity, and organization performance. So who are you walking and talking with today? 

Think. Work. Achieve.

Your turn...

• Call Jo at (832) 477-LEAD to order your campus set of “The Fundamental 5: The Formula for Quality Instruction.” Individual copies available on Amazon.com!  http://tinyurl.com/Fundamental5 
• Now at the Apple App Store: Fun 5 Timer (Fundamental 5 Delivery Tool); PowerWalks CLC (Networked Formative Observation Tool) 
• Upcoming Presentations: Texas Association of Secondary School Principals Conference (Multiple Presentations); Texas Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association Conference (Multiple Presentations); LYS / TASSP Advanced Leadership Academy (Keynote) 
• Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation  and like Lead Your School on Facebook

Last Week to Apply - Superintendent Search

LYS Executive Search

~ Superintendent ~

Culberson County-Allamore Independent School District

A West Texas school district is searching for its next Superintendent of Schools

The successful candidate will have

• Demonstrated leadership success as a principal and/or district level administrator
• Demonstrated success educating diverse student populations
• Firm understanding of school finance
• LYS training and experience, preferred

Information of note

• Enrollment - 450 students
• Rural setting
• Two campuses
• Competitive salary and benefits

Qualified and interested candidates submit the following to Search@LeadYourSchool.com

• Letter of interest
• Resume
• Administrator’s certifications
• List of references
• Recent campus/district performance data 

Search Consultant: Robert 'Bob' Brezina

LYS Executive Search

(832) 477-5323

LYS Nation, once again a school district wants YOU!

Think. Work. Achieve.

Final Weeks - Texas Superintendent Search

LYS Executive Search

~ Superintendent ~

Culberson County-Allamore Independent School District

A West Texas school district is searching for its next Superintendent of Schools

The successful candidate will have

• Demonstrated leadership success as a principal and/or district level administrator
• Demonstrated success educating diverse student populations
• Firm understanding of school finance
• LYS training and experience, preferred

Information of note

• Enrollment - 450 students
• Rural setting
• Two campuses
• Competitive salary and benefits

Qualified and interested candidates submit the following to Search@LeadYourSchool.com

• Letter of interest
• Resume
• Administrator’s certifications
• List of references
• Recent campus/district performance data 

Search Consultant: Robert 'Bob' Brezina

LYS Executive Search

(832) 477-5323

LYS Nation, once again a school district wants YOU!

Think. Work. Achieve.

Superintendent Search - Two Weeks Left to Apply

LYS Executive Search

~ Superintendent ~

Culberson County-Allamore Independent School District

A West Texas school district is searching for its next Superintendent of Schools

The successful candidate will have

• Demonstrated leadership success as a principal and/or district level administrator
• Demonstrated success educating diverse student populations
• Firm understanding of school finance
• LYS training and experience, preferred

Information of note

• Enrollment - 450 students
• Rural setting
• Two campuses
• Competitive salary and benefits

Qualified and interested candidates submit the following to Search@LeadYourSchool.com

• Letter of interest
• Resume
• Administrator’s certifications
• List of references
• Recent campus/district performance data 

Search Consultant: Robert 'Bob' Brezina

LYS Executive Search

(832) 477-5323

LYS Nation, once again a school district wants YOU!

Think. Work. Achieve.

Texas Superintendent Search

LYS Executive Search

~ Superintendent ~

Culberson County-Allamore Independent School District

A West Texas school district is searching for its next Superintendent of Schools

The successful candidate will have

• Demonstrated leadership success as a principal and/or district level administrator
• Demonstrated success educating diverse student populations
• Firm understanding of school finance
• LYS training and experience, preferred

Information of note

• Enrollment - 450 students
• Rural setting
• Two campuses
• Competitive salary and benefits

Qualified and interested candidates submit the following to Search@LeadYourSchool.com

• Letter of interest
• Resume
• Administrator’s certifications
• List of references
• Recent campus/district performance data 

Search Consultant: Robert 'Bob' Brezina

LYS Executive Search

(832) 477-5323

LYS Nation, once again a school district wants YOU!

Think. Work. Achieve.

Superintendent Search - CCAISD

LYS Executive Search

~ Superintendent ~

Culberson County-Allamore Independent School District

A West Texas school district is searching for its next Superintendent of Schools

The successful candidate will have

• Demonstrated leadership success as a principal and/or district level administrator 
• Demonstrated success educating diverse student populations
• Firm understanding of school finance
• LYS training and experience, preferred

Information of note

• Enrollment - 450 students
• Rural setting
• Two campuses
• Competitive salary and benefits

Qualified and interested candidates submit the following to Search@LeadYourSchool.com

• Letter of interest
• Resume
• Administrator’s certifications
• List of references
• Recent campus/district performance data

Search Consultant: Robert 'Bob' Brezina

LYS Executive Search

(832) 477-5323

LYS Nation, once again a school district wants YOU!

Think. Work. Achieve.

West Texas Superintendent Search

LYS Executive Search

~ Superintendent ~

Culberson County-Allamore Independent School District

A West Texas school district is searching for its next Superintendent of Schools

The successful candidate will have

• Demonstrated leadership success as a principal and/or district level administrator 
• Demonstrated success educating diverse student populations
• Firm understanding of school finance
• LYS training and experience, preferred

Information of note

• Enrollment - 450 students
• Rural setting
• Two campuses
• Competitive salary and benefits

Qualified and interested candidates submit the following to Search@LeadYourSchool.com

• Letter of interest
• Resume
• Administrator’s certifications
• List of references
• Recent campus/district performance data

Search Consultant: Robert 'Bob' Brezina

LYS Executive Search

(832) 477-5323

LYS Nation, once again a school district wants YOU!

Think. Work. Achieve.

Superintendent Search

LYS Executive Search

~ Superintendent ~

Culberson County-Allamore Independent School District

A West Texas school district is searching for its next Superintendent of Schools

The successful candidate will have

• Demonstrated leadership success as a principal and/or district level administrator 
• Demonstrated success educating diverse student populations
• LYS training and experience, preferred

Information of note

• Enrollment - 450 students
• Rural setting
• Two campuses
•  Competitive salary and benefits

Qualified and interested candidates submit the following to Search@LeadYourSchool.com

• Letter of interest
• Resume
• Administrator’s certifications
• List of references
• Recent campus/district performance data

Search Consultant: Robert 'Bob' Brezina

LYS Executive Search

(832) 477-5323

LYS Nation, once again a school district want YOU!

Think. Work. Achieve.

A Superintendent Writes... Sometimes It Pays to Play the Game - Part 4

In response to the 7/9/2103 post, “Sometimes It Pays to Play the Game – A Necessary Revision,” a LYS Superintendent writes:

SC,

I find this all interesting. I was thinking of moving a few things around to. How about US History to 9th grade since 8th grade U.S. History should preview the tested content?

Is our only purpose to move tests away from 9^th grade?  I would think at least one test in a grade is better than none.

I’ll respond to your answer.

A.P.

SC Response

I would argue that the dual purposes of proactive scheduling are to better prepare students for academic success and graduation (primary importance) and to protect the school/district from draconian sanctions that inhibit the ability to teach and lead effectively (secondary importance).  The course offerings I have shared will effectively address both purposes.

Here is why I work to protect 9th graders from high stakes tests…  As you well know, if you randomly select a group of high school students you will find that Fragile Students are overrepresented in the 9th grade. For those of you who need objective proof, this fact manifests itself in when campuses have 500 9th graders and 300 seniors. This isn’t because 200 students graduated early. It is because fragile 9th graders become mired and eventually drown in academic failure.  Your strongest 9th grade students are ONLY dealing with transition issues, social issues, and lack of content experience issues.  Then throw into that mix the students who been previously retained and/or have failed any 8th grade courses. So my challenge is this, “Why would any rational educator subject this group of students to ANY test that has life changing implications and repercussions?”   

Bottom line, I wouldn't.  I would create a teaching and learning buffer to better prepare ALL of my students for success. This means altering traditional student schedules that grease the rails of a state mandated testing system that in the best-case scenario borders on Social Darwinism.   Let Social Darwinism drive the enrollment / retention practices of private schools (as is their right).  In public schools let’s embrace our sacred, democratic mandate of purposefully increasing opportunities for every student that walks through our doors, not just in word, but in practice.

And the burden of occupying your chair is that you are the one person in the system in best position to make this happen.  Unleash your inner Brezina!

I look forward to your response.

Think. Work. Achieve.

Your turn...

• Call Jo at (832) 477-LEAD to order your campus set of “The Fundamental 5: The Formula for Quality Instruction.” Individual copies available on Amazon.com!  http://tinyurl.com/Fundamental5 
• Call Jo at (832) 477-LEAD to order your campus set of “Look at Me: A Cautionary School Leadership Tale” Individual copies available on Amazon.com!  http://tinyurl.com/lookatmebook 
• Now at the Apple App Store: Fun 5 Plans (Fundamental 5 Lesson Plan Tool); PW Lite (Basic PowerWalks Tool); PW Pro (Mid-level PowerWalks Tool) 
• Upcoming Presentations: The Fundamental 5 National Summit (Multiple Presentations); NASSP National Conference 
• Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation  and like Lead Your School on Facebook

A Reader Writes... Immediate Feedback After a Short Walk-thru - Part 1

In response to the 1/23/2013 post, “Immediate Feedback After a Short Walk-thru,” a reader writes:

SC,

We've discussed this before, but I have to put in my two cents on, "Should I give teachers feedback after every short walk-thru?"

My answer is, “If you can, you need to try and give some type of feedback, albeit, short and informal.”

Then I would follow your advice and meet every 3 - 6 weeks and review trends and coach.

Why? As Brezina says, the 4th "R" is "Relationships." Students make huge improvements/changes when teachers make a connection with them.

Teachers are no different. If the Instructional Leader is constantly conducting PowerWalks, teachers want to know what is being observed and if they are doing a good job. Yet, we know that people need specific feedback. Just saying "Good job" won't make changes. I do my PowerWalks and pick out one thing I like. Then at the first opportunity, in one sentence tell the teacher, "I like ___ because..." In the next sentence I say, "You could improve ____, if you did, ____." I connect it to one of the Fundamental 5. If I don't see them within 24 hours, I drop them an e-mail. My final comment is, "We'll talk more about the overall trends at our next meeting."

Now I have a specific to follow up with when we meet and I have a ton of data from PowerWalks. Plus, my teacher is happy because I gave her some feedback. Finally, after the teacher begins to trust you (you've built the relationship), you do not have to give the feedback every time.

This process creates buy-in for the Fundamental Five and the change process.

SC Response

First, I have to clarify, Brezina teaches that the only “R” is results.  Rigor, Relevance and Relationship are tools in the pursuit of results.  Playing for Lombardi will permanently shape your worldview. Much like working for Brezina. 

Second, I don’t advocate being a robot and not talking to teachers. But I also know that in many cases, one 3-minute observation tells me nothing.  I have to let my teachers know that.  Which means sometimes, I have nothing of substance to share.  We all have to be OK with that.  When it comes to classroom observations, we are all better served (observer and observed) when the observer channels her inner golf coach.

When you take a golf lesson, the pro has you hit a number of balls while he just observes your swing.  The pro will put you at ease, give you some encouragement and occasionally remind you of some basics, while observing and analyzing the complex, inter-related process that is the golf swing.  Then after watching enough swings to separate random occurrence from typical practice, the pro will then work with you on the critical misstep (as opposed to every misstep) that are preventing you from achieving your goals.

That’s why you visit classrooms, that’s why you collect data and that is why you coach your staff.

Think. Work. Achieve.

Your turn...

• Call Jo at (832) 477-LEAD to order your campus set of “The Fundamental 5: The Formula for Quality Instruction.” Individual copies available on Amazon.com!  http://tinyurl.com/Fundamental5 
• Call Jo at (832) 477-LEAD to order your campus set of “Look at Me: A Cautionary School Leadership Tale” Individual copies available on Amazon.com!  http://tinyurl.com/lookatmebook 
• Now at the Apple App Store: Fun 5 Plans (Fundamental 5 Lesson Plan Tool); PW Lite (Basic PowerWalks Tool); PW Pro (Mid-level PowerWalks Tool) 
• Upcoming Presentations: Texas Association of Secondary School Principals Conference (Multiple Presentations) 
• Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation  and like Lead Your School on Facebook

Readers Comment... Debt is a Detriment to Leadership - Part 1

In response to the 10/12/12 post, “Debt is a Detriment to Leadership,” a number of readers sent in comments.  The comments fell into three categories: A) Interesting; B) You are right; and C) I wish someone had shared this with me early in my career.

I was lucky, I had a number of mentors that got into my personal business and insisted that I keep my financial house in order. Who were these mentors? They were the heavy weights in school finance and school leadership in the 80’s and 90’s, Dr. Richard Hooker, Robert ‘Bob’ Brezina, and Dr. John Sawyer.  Here is the short version of their advice:

1.  If you are lucky, you will be able to move up in your current organization.  Don’t plan on it. The higher you go, the more likely it is that you will move.

2. As you move up in position, it is likely that initially you will move down in salary.

3. Live well below your means.

4. Don’t buy a house that you can’t lease or sell quickly.

5. Financial liquidity equals options and opportunity.

I hope this advice serves you as well as it has served me.

Think. Work. Achieve.

Your turn...

• Call Jo at (832) 477-LEAD to order your campus set of “The Fundamental 5: The Formula for Quality Instruction.” Individual copies available on Amazon.com!  http://tinyurl.com/Fundamental5 
• Call Jo at (832) 477-LEAD to order your campus set of “Look at Me: A Cautionary School Leadership Tale” Individual copies available on Amazon.com!  http://tinyurl.com/lookatmebook 
• Now at the Apple App Store: Fun 5 Plans (Fundamental 5 Lesson Plan Tool); PW Lite (Basic PowerWalks Tool); PW Pro (Mid-level PowerWalks Tool) 
• Upcoming Presentations: North Dakota Principals Association Conference (Keynote Speaker), TASSP Assistant Principals’ Workshop (Featured Speaker), American Association of School Administrators Conference (Multiple Presentations), National Association of Secondary School Principals Conference (Multiple Presentations), Texas Association of Secondary School Principals Conference (Multiple Presentations)
• Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation

Brezina Writes... A Lesson From My Coach

Robert Brezina shares a leadership lesson he learned from one of his mentors.

One thing I learned (and experienced) from Coach Lombardi is as the leader you have to know your people really well. As I watched Vince work with his players (principals, your players are your teachers) he would know them so well that he could push each one of them to within the razor’s edge of his breaking point.  Then when he got you to that point, he backed off. But through that process you had grown a good percentage and he would work with you to sustain that growth.  Then a few weeks later, he would begin the push again.  This process never stopped.

Obviously, this worked very well for him. The better you know your people the further you can take them.  But you have to put in the time; there are no short cuts to this.

SC Response

You won’t find me arguing with the leadership practices of the man they have named two trophies after.  One made entirely of granite and the one that is the most prized trophy in all of sport.

Think. Work. Achieve.

Your turn...

• Call Jo at (832) 477-LEAD to order your campus set of “The Fundamental 5: The Formula for Quality Instruction.” Individual copies available on Amazon.com!  http://tinyurl.com/Fundamental5 
• Call Jo at (832) 477-LEAD to order your campus set of “Look at Me: A Cautionary School Leadership Tale” Individual copies available on Amazon.com!  http://tinyurl.com/lookatmebook
• Now at the Apple App Store: Fun 5 Plans (Fundamental 5 Lesson Plan Tool); PW Lite (Basic PowerWalks Tool); PW Pro (Mid-level PowerWalks Tool)
• Upcoming Presentations: Region 10 ESC Fall Leadership Conference (Keynote), Advancing Improvement in Education Conference (Multiple Presentations), TASSP Assistant Principals’ Workshop (Featured Speaker), North Dakota Association of Secondary School Principals (Keynote), American Association of School Administrators Conference (Multiple Presentations), National Association of Secondary School Principals Conference (Multiple Presentations)
• Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation

The Marine Shares... Our Results

An old school LYSer (and first year principal) shares his end of year results:

SC,

The Foundation Trinity rocks Wyoming

As first year principal I did exactly what I told my Superintendent that I would do. My staff and I implemented the Foundation Trinity with singular focus, fidelity, and urgency. No buy in, just explain, train and do (just like you, Brezina, and Brown trained me).  Here are our year one results:

1. Attendance increased from 88% to 93%

2. Discipline referrals dropped nearly 50%

3. State Standardized Reading scores went up 11%

4. State Standardized Math scores went up 11%

5. ACT average score went from 19 to 21

6. 90% of our student received college credit on their AP tests (national average is 57%)

7. Six teachers decided to leave.

My unbiased opinion, the Foundation Trinity kicks ass in any state, district or school when done purposefully and with fidelity.

Forward, MARCH!

SC Response

Yet another proof point that adult practice drives student performance.

Not funding, not demographics, not parents, and not a bunch of new teachers. Those things might make the work more or less difficult, but it is the work that is the difference maker.

Think. Work. Achieve.

Your turn...

• Call Jo at (832) 477-LEAD to order your campus set of “The Fundamental 5: The Formula for Quality Instruction.” Individual copies available on Amazon.com!  http://tinyurl.com/Fundamental5
• Call Jo at (832) 477-LEAD to order your campus set of “Look at Me: A Cautionary School Leadership Tale” Individual copies available on Amazon.com!  http://tinyurl.com/lookatmebook
• Now at the Apple App Store: Fun 5 Plans (Fundamental 5 Lesson Plan Tool); PW Lite (Basic PowerWalks Tool); PW Pro (Mid-level PowerWalks Tool)
• Upcoming Presentations: Livingston ISD Leadership Team Kickoff, Channelview ISD Leadership Team Kickoff, Comal ISD, Leadership Team Kickoff, Bushland ISD Staff Kickoff, Canadian ISD Staff Kickoff, Highland Park ISD Staff Kickoff, Sunray ISD Staff Kickoff, Region 10 ESC Fall Leadership Conference (Keynote), Advancing Improvement in Education Conference (Multiple Presentations), American Association of School Administrators Conference (Multiple Presentations)
• Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation