I really didn’t seek this out. It was never on my radar screen.
After all, I thought my books were business books; they’re published in the business category, and they live on the shelves in the business section of the bookstore where they’re browsed by–waddaya call them–business people.
So, imagine my surprise (really, really great surprise) when I started to hear from educators–teachers, principals, administrators–about how they’d been applying the principles of Extreme Leadership in their buildings, in their schools, their classrooms. I’ve written about several of these amazing educators on this blog.
And then, one fateful day in 2009, I received a call from the professional development team at the Orange County Department of Education (OCDE).
They had been reading my books and passing them around from one educator to another, and they insisted that these ideas are not just necessary, but that they will change the world of education.
What was I doing, they asked, to bring the ideas from The Radical Leap, The Radical Edge, and Greater Than Yourself into the schools, faculties and classrooms of this country?
And I, quick-thinking as usual, had two knee-jerk responses to such a direct and audacious question:
1. Ummm…nothing.
and
2. Are you serious?
Oh yes. They were.
That call represented the beginning of a small-but-passionate national team of educators (and business people passionate about education) devoted to introducing this body of work to as many of their ed-peers as possible and then helping each other to apply the EL principles in every possible way.
And me? I’m kinda just along for the ride, really. I’m not an educator–at least not in the classically-defined way. I can’t claim to have any street cred in the classroom. But I believe these folks when they tell me that my efforts to capture the essence of the best of the best leaders in business will make a difference in shaping the future leaders of our collective world. After all, that’s what educators do: they develop tomorrow’s leaders. And they do it every single day, whether they realize it or not.
Our job is, in part, to make sure they do realize it.
And in that spirit, the OCDE team is inviting their peers in the department and many distinguished principals in the district to come together and talk about what it means–or could mean–to be an Extreme Leader in education today.
Even though this first confab isn’t open to the public, I wanted to show off two of our team members, Debbie Granger and Chris Corliss, in this simple, heart-felt video invitation they made for their peers.
Nothing fancy. Authentic. And I love them.
And I can’t wait to tell you how it all plays out:
Steve – When you teach, you are an educator. And, you do teach. Thank you for being an educator to business folks who are no longer in a traditional classroom. El
Steve – When you teach, you are an educator. And, you do teach. Thank you for being an educator to business folks who are no longer in a traditional classroom. El
Hey Steve,
How wonderful to be a bridge between the mundane brick and mortar approach and a heartfelt evolutionary way to teach. You deserve it! Judy
Hey Steve,
How wonderful to be a bridge between the mundane brick and mortar approach and a heartfelt evolutionary way to teach. You deserve it! Judy
Wow Steve, would love to be there to see how you inspire the Educators. This will have effect on education.
Did you see this video where Simon Sinek talks about How great leaders inspire action at TEDx. It is about the Why.
http://www.startwithwhy.com/
Wow Steve, would love to be there to see how you inspire the Educators. This will have effect on education.
Did you see this video where Simon Sinek talks about How great leaders inspire action at TEDx. It is about the Why.
http://www.startwithwhy.com/
He’s right on, Erno. Leadership always has “why” at its core: “why do I love this work, these people, our cause, etc.?” is a question we should ask (and answer) ourselves every day. And educators should ask “why do I love this school, my colleagues and–most important–these kids?” And, from what I understand, it’s not a question many educators feel comfortable with.
Hi Steve,
Seems the most natural thing to me. If I were still teaching, your books would be among the first I’d be reaching for and recommending. Your stories and insights build good minds, good hearts, and great leaders.
Thrilled to see that education realizes that. 🙂
Hi Steve,
Seems the most natural thing to me. If I were still teaching, your books would be among the first I’d be reaching for and recommending. Your stories and insights build good minds, good hearts, and great leaders.
Thrilled to see that education realizes that. 🙂
Thanks, Liz! We’re starting with the principals. Their leadership and influence has a huge impact on every teacher and student in their buildings.
Great news, Steve! God bless our educators with all their challenges. I know that your voice and content will be the breath of fresh air in the classroom environment that they need to take that radical leap toward creating a better education system. Keep up the God Work!
Tom Schulte
Atlanta, GA USA
Great news, Steve! God bless our educators with all their challenges. I know that your voice and content will be the breath of fresh air in the classroom environment that they need to take that radical leap toward creating a better education system. Keep up the God Work!
Tom Schulte
Atlanta, GA USA
Thanks, Tom. And I think that all of us “civilians” should do everything we can to help support our kids' and our neighbors' kids' educators.