Craig Shapiro’s Post

After another great ICE Education conference for Heads of PE, Will Swaithes recommended the book Rebel Ideas by Matthew Syed to think about our Leadership qualities and how to get the best out of the departments we work in. The book explores the power of diverse perspectives and dissent in driving innovation and success. Syed argues that embracing differing viewpoints and challenging established norms is essential for progress in various fields, from business to sports to politics. The book draws on examples from history, psychology, and contemporary society and highlights the benefits of cognitive diversity and the dangers of groupthink. Syed emphasizes the importance of fostering environments where people feel safe to voice dissenting opinions and where collaboration across diverse backgrounds is encouraged. Overall, Rebel Ideas challenges you to rethink your problem-solving approach and embrace the value of unconventional thinking. My biggest takeaway was the idea that we must be challenged to succeed. While that seems obvious, we are good at sticking to what and who we know. We shy away from those who challenge our ideas, yet they are the people we need to have on our side to grow. It reminds me of a scene in Jerry Maguire that I haven’t fully understood. When Jerry and Rod Tidwell are arguing in the changing room, and Jerry walks out - Rod shouts back to him - “here’s the difference between you and me: you think we’re fighting, but I think we’re finally talking.” For me this means we must embrace the challenges and the different opinions to find a more straightforward path.

How would you describe the ideal leader in your profession today? OR how would you describe a leader in general? I’d love to hear your thoughts.   Take a moment to read mine.     If I selected an ideal leader to guide the school I designed today, s/he would be an individual who embodied interpersonal skills and a love for teachers - a person who exemplified wisdom and understood the trials and tribulations of an educator. Without a doubt, they’d demonstrate emotional awareness through personal thoughts, feelings, and actions.     S/he would approach classroom and school issues in a positive and uplifting manner - offering creative solutions to educators. Their display of gratitude toward staff would strengthen feelings of trust, confidence, and love leaving an unforgettable impression on those who come in contact with their energy.   My ideal leader would “love more, judge less” and utilize an empathetic approach to connect on a higher level - a leader who'd be grateful to celebrate the uniqueness of each educator and their journey.   Furthermore, my ideal leader would value and validate the role of an educator as an authentic being - encouraging the true self through raw expression. In addition, promoting a well-balanced educator in all facets of life (family, relationships, health, fun, etc.) would foster an environment where educators and students would flourish.   And last but not least, if I selected an ideal leader to guide the school I designed today, s/he would express, “I’M A TEACHER BELIEVER” and orchestrate a healthy social, emotional, mental, and physical environment - supporting, healing, and standing shoulder-to-shoulder to energize and protect the well-being of teachers and students.     Now, that would be my ideal leader.

I was staring this morning at my to-do list and reflecting on the slight panic that was building because of a number of projects reaching the same stage at the same time (which is stressful for #consultants)... good time for some #emotionalawareness I started to break it all down in the way my brain likes to and to create a narrative, and was reminded and today of a piece I wrote a couple years ago about #emotionalintelligence, #awareness, #highereducationleadership (specifically chairs, but this is true almost anywhere in academic affairs), and how academics think in discipline specific ways. (linked below) So I avoided my to-dos and read it again... #epicfail I was struck by the paragraph, below. Although I would not really label myself an academic anymore, a lot of the "ways of thinking" are hardwired at this point ... and if I'm going to be fair, really really useful outside of #highered spaces too. "As academics we are trained, and certainly acculturated, to think that rationality is prime. Often, as a consequence, because emotions are thought to be irrational, they are undervalued. I have a lot of problems with both ideas but won’t attack them here. How about just this: there’s a curious reaction in the academy to people with “too much” passion or people who can’t “control themselves,” and yet we prize teachers who can inspire students and leaders who can show empathy and “lead with heart.” The Academy values rational thought, careful argument, and objectivity, and yet, the Academy also functions in large part because there are people among us who step up for leadership roles and who develop capacities and skills for managing people, very often in circumstances that are not terribly rational, where arguments are not always careful, and where objectivity is unreachable. ... So, whatever illusions we might foster about objectivity and rationality, when it comes to working together or to leading in higher education, emotions and emotional intelligence matter at least as much as the skills that make us successful researchers." Substitute your professional training for "researchers" in the last sentence. Back to my list!! #thursdaythought #tbthursday #academia #academics #mindfulleadership #leadershipdevelopment

With teacher shortages impacting many states, leaders are embracing creativity to retain teachers and boost morale. One effective solution? Gratitude in the schoolhouse. Research shows that expressing appreciation is a simple, cost-effective way to enhance performance and enthusiasm. Check out this article from Edutopia - George Lucas Educational Foundation for more insights! https://edut.to/44wofu4

“I need to control my emotions” is oft-spoken self-talk that we may hear ourselves saying as we reflect on our actions. Or occasionally we may have someone suggest that we need to manage our emotions better. But do we? New @eSchoolNews article from BTS Spark America’s @SeanSlade explores how #schoolleaders can manage and control emotions #principalsschool #educationalleadership https://lnkd.in/g42VHBNM

Leading through influence is always preferable (and more effective) to leading with authority.

🌱 𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐄𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠🌱 Nurturing Discipline for Positive Growth 𝘋𝘪𝘴𝘤𝘪𝘱𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘪𝘴𝘯’𝘵 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘭; 𝘪𝘵’𝘴 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘨𝘶𝘪𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘰𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘰𝘳. 𝑯𝒆𝒓𝒆'𝒔 𝒂𝒏 𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒆 𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒏: 𝐒𝐞𝐭 𝐂𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐋𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐬: 🚧 Establish boundaries with empathy. Communicate rules calmly, explaining reasons behind them. Consistency is key—be firm but fair. 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐞 𝐏𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐁𝐞𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐨𝐫: 🌟 Encourage good conduct through praise and reinforcement. Focus on what they do well; positivity fuels motivation. 𝐄𝐦𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐄𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: 💖 Understand their emotions. Connect before correcting; empathize to build trust and cooperation. 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Effective discipline involves clear boundaries communicated with empathy. Positively reinforcing good behavior fosters a conducive environment for growth and development. 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞: How can we reframe discipline as a positive teaching tool? Share your thoughts! #ParentingTips #PositiveParenting #DisciplineDoneRight

When I first approached my mentor about my interest in going into higher education administration, the first piece of advice he gave to me had to do with problems and their solutions.  Even though the following dictum may seem obvious to many, it is advice too often ignored. Here is our third Earlyism: Earlyism #3:  Don't bring your boss problems.  Bring your boss solutions.

🌟 I'm thrilled to share my insights from the "Grow Your Professional Confidence" workshop with Anna Manning, part of the Personal Development Day at Nottingham Business School, Nottingham Trent University! 🔍 The session unveiled the "Low Confidence Cycle," which includes: 1. Not recognizing your achievements 🏆 2. Poor self-management 🕰️ 3. Setting unrealistic standards 📏 Understanding these components makes it easier to tackle them, paving the way to enhance confidence. Anna’s actionable advice is a game-changer: Start by noticing habits that contribute to this cycle, and then address them one at a time. It's about: • Identifying a habit 👀 • Observing its effects 🔬 • Making adjustments 🧰 • Continuing the progress ➡️ Overall, regardless of your industry, managing yourself and your internal environment is the key to building confidence! 🌈 Inspired by Anna, I’m committed to focusing on the positives and steering clear of dwelling on the negatives so I can acknowledge my good work. A big thank you to Anna Manning for such a transformative session! #PersonalDevelopment #ProfessionalGrowth #ConfidenceBuilding #NottinghamTrentUniversity #CareerDevelopment

Read for clarity ⤵️ The problem in this field is that we’re too surface level with culturally responsive teaching in a way that is NOT advancing equity in a substantial and sustainable way. 1️⃣ It starts with identifying and challenging your own bias in an ongoing practice of critical self-reflection across your belief systems and ways of being that inform your choices and attitudes. 2️⃣ Start from the top because creating spaces that foster belonging and justice through culturally responsive teaching starts with the highest levels of leadership. 3️⃣ Decision makers MUST provide professional learning and professional development support that RESPONDS to the current reality that teachers, staffs, and administrators are facing. Alongside all of this is professional development in the practices of building cognitive capacity through an understanding of cognitive neuroscience and culture (deep, shallow, and surface). 🔑The work is deep and multifaceted. 🔑The work requires a long term investment, not one and done PD workshops. 🔑The work integrates our personal+professional development so be ready! Commit to the marathon and not the sprint. Which one of these ⬆️ (1-3) resonated with you the most? 🗣️Talk to me in the comments 😉 #culturallyresponsiveteaching #cognitiveneuroscience #culturallyresponsiveleadership #instructionalcoaching #principalsinaction #educationalleadership #districtadministration