Posts
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...
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
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...
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...
Monday, June 15, 2009
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...
“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…
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…
Sunday, June 14, 2009
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…
“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.
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.
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...
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