PMP:091 Reflecting on Lessons in Leadership

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One of my favorite ways to enjoy a long drive is by listening to podcasts or audio-books.

And I especially find biographies a helpful way to learn lessons about life and leadership.
Two audiobooks that I’ve enjoyed in my drives may sound like they have nothing in common: Seabiscuit: An American Legend by Lauren Hillenbrand and The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt by Edmund Morris.

As vastly different as the stories of a horse and former President can be, I find that both of them are full of similarities in the kinds of challenges, risk, courage, and strategies necessary to achieve goals and dreams. As you think about your own school leadership, how can you take lessons from those around you (both in person and in history) to reflect on ways to keep growing and learning?

This week’s podcast is a recording from a webinar series I shared recently on Lessons in Leadership I pull from four different sources:

Part 1 – Lessons in teamwork from a champion racehorse
Part 2 – Lessons from leaning on one another
Part 3 – Lessons in leadership from Theodore Roosevelt
Part 4 – Using vacation to reenergize your school leadership

You can listen to the entire conversation here or watch the webinar video, but below is a short summary of the points discussed:

Part 1 – Lessons in teamwork from a champion racehorse

Seabiscuit’s story is really a story of teamwork. Three unlikely men unify around a horse that surprised the world. In the process, you find some common traits that all great teams share.

Great teams…

unify around a common cause

turn unlikely prospects into surprising strengths

know success requires risk

value loyalty and trust

translate dreams into actions

build momentum through positive publicity

know lost battles don’t equal lost wars

know great defeats can lead to later victories

know success is contagious

leave great legacies

Part 2 – Lessons in growing from leaning on others

Just as we can learn from historic examples, we have the same opportunities to learn from others still within our reach. Growing leaders are those who look around them for feedback and examples.

By leaning on others, you can grow by:

regularly connecting with your team members

visiting other successful schools or organizations

inviting outside experts into your school

investing time into learning opportunities

Part 3 – Lessons in leadership from Theodore Roosevelt

The life of Theodore Roosevelt is both fascinating and controversial. Despite his hot temper and boisterous personality, her accomplished amazing milestones. The story of his early life gives examples of principles we should never underestimate in leadership development.

Never underestimate the:

power of early education

importance of timeless values

effects of self-improvement

value of Providence

lessons learned from defeat

influence of publicity

outcomes of your focus

modeling of courage

Part 4 – Using vacation to reenergize your leadership

Finally, as you may be stepping into some much-needed vacation during Thanksgiving and Christmas, don’t forget the importance of rest and self-reflection:

Vacation:

reminds you who you really are

allows for mental and emotional detox

stimulates creativity and problem solving

produces better productivity

Let’s Wrap This Up

Whether you are looking back in history, talking to a teammate, or enjoying the benefits of rest, a consistent cycle of reflection is a powerful way to keep learning. Just as you want your students to stay curious, creative, and productive, you can keep modeling those same behaviors by finding meaning and lesson in the stories that surround you everyday.

Now It’s Your Turn

What is a recent book, movie, or conversation you’ve had recently that taught you a valuable lesson? How can you reflect on that lesson for taking a step forward in way you are leading others today? What’s one way you can invest time in reflection so that you can have more creativity for serving others?

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