Personal Evangelism

This weekend I had the privilege of attending a prayer breakfast with the men of my church. We hold this event once each month on the 2nd Saturday morning at 8:00am. Yesterday, we happened to study about personal evangelism. Our launching scripture was Matthew 28: 18-20: "Go therefore and make disciple...teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you..." This is paraphrase of the scripture, but the gist is we must be examples of Christ in our everyday walk and leadership styles. It is a matter of our Christian duty. I learned on yesterday that we cannot ignore the fact that it is our duty to evangelize. As a matter of duty we cannot sit back and wait on others to act, we must act because the need is great. I also learned that in our evangelism we must be humble and approach lost person with truth that is spoken with meekness and kindness. Evangelism is truly leading with the soul.

NMSA Conference

Cohort 4!!! How's everyone doing. Hope everyone has had a productive week. I was in Baltimore, Ma. last Wednesday through Saturday attending the National Middle School Association Annual Conference. What a learning experience it was. I attending sessions on new technology innovations and leadership strategies by Alan November, Sean Covey and Rick Wormeli. If you are not middle school, you may not have heard of these notable authors. November works in a reform school off the coast of Masschuesettes and offered some insight into those parts of my dissertation that deal with technology integration in an alternative learning environment. Sean Covey is the son of Stephen Covey and has written a book entitled, "7 Habits of Effective Teens". Covey's session was eye-opening, as I had read his book as a part of a book study last year on my campus...but having the author share personal reflections and insights was very invaluable. I was able to talk with him following the session and got contact information to use for my study. Rick Wormeli is just simply an amazing author and motivational speaker. He gave me tips on campus leadership and strategies to bring the dissenters on my campus on board. He very effectively used Story as a way to teach and present his message. If you have never heard him, please try to do so the next time he is in your area.

The conference overall was very productive. I also attended a couple of sessions on cyberbullying and sexual harrassment. What was most rewarding was when Alan November referenced Daniel Pink as a colleague who bounced ideas off of him. One thing notable he said that really stuck with and had me reflect back on A Whole New Mind related to one of the 6 Senses Pink mentioned in the book. November asked the audience, "what is the number 1 skill needed in the 21st Century for students to be successful?"...answer...Empathy. I was blown away by this. I had voted for collaboration...thinking that must be the answer...such a right brain answer. But as he explained, empathy is even more right brain than collaboration. November explained that in this global society students will need to know what cultural n0rms and values others bring to the collaboration/negotiation table before any effective global change is to ever occur.

Six Secrets of Change

While reviewing Michael Fullan's, Six Secrets of Change, I was especially drawn to Secret One: Love Your Employees. I have based many of my initiatives for my campus this year based on this notion. As I approached this year I wondered how to get my staff engaged in the daily operation of the campus and how that engagement could positively effect the learning environment for students. Fullan noted three factors in motivating employees--fair treatment, enabling achievement, and camaraderie. First, this year I have decided to be a better listener to the needs of my staff rather always trying to advance my agenda. I met with each staff person to solicit their individual/personal goals as well as their educational/professional goals. These conversations were informal and very relaxing. Secondly, I established a leadership team which teachers and teacher assistants heading each of the major campus inititives. They have specific days and dates that they present to the body thier work and achievements for the month. They also have opportunity to set their own agenda. Thirdly, I am giving the staff to formulate after school staff recreational activities. They have formulated a volleyball team and a basketball team. They compete against students as well each other. We also have establish a monthly luncheon were we all participate in a potluck luncheon to celebrate our accomplishments for the month. These changes have really brought about positive change on my campus. Student referrals are on the decline on my campus and teacher/staff attitudes are much more positive. Staff attendance for personal leave is on the decline. Secret One is no longer a "Secret" on my campus

Servant Leadership

Cohort 4 Friends,

My heart is saddened this week by the loss of a very dear friend to cancer. I am in need of prayer from each of you for me and for his family. This gentleman was a stellar jazz and gospel musician with a talent for writing and performing music that was unmatched by anyone I have every worked with. At age 45, he was much too young to leave this earth. But I will never question God's will nor his judgement. I have spent the week meeting his family and learning more about him than I had ever known. As I sat around his house with them last night, I realized the what Daniel Pink meant when he talked about the importance of Story. His mother, father, and brothers told stories about family experiences that I had never heard before. Stories that enlighten my knowledge of my friend and gave me a greater perspective of who he was a boy growing up in Cleveland, Ohio. I feel blessed in my life that I share these last 20 years as a friend to this great human being. Cohort members, thanks in advance for your prayers. I will post something more scholarly later this week. Right now, I just need your prayers.

Empathy

Thanks to everyone for all of your support this past weekend. I feel so liberated now knowing that I am learning from such an incredible group of Christian souls. I am charged up and ready to bring a "New" mind to my staff. I have spent the day today planning for an all day workshop on tomorrow. I will be utilizing a couple of activities from my group's presentation to help my staff become better in touch with their right brain capabilities. I will always cherish the moments and learning experiences presented and shared with each of you. Daniel Pink has certainly given me a new perspective on the awesome capabilities our brains possess. Kesha, I laughed inside all during the church announcements this morning during worship services at my church. I could not focus on my church's announcement clerk; all I keep invisioning was that hat. OMG...that Hat!!! After the chicken and the eagle story, I was inspired this morning to sing a song at church entitle, "They That Wait Upon on the Lord". The lyrics state that "they shall mount up on wings of an eagle, oh yes!"

Leading with the Soul

This past week I was faced with a real dilema at my campus. One of my students has been not attending school and spending his days with older boys in his neighbor, smoking dope and possibly selling crack. I wanted so badly for this young man to make it since he has had all the odds against him...no significant male figures in his life; a single mother who is working and going to school; and a learning disability. My dilema was, "do I get involve to the point that I intervene in this kid's life and get emotionally involved or do I report him to juvenile probation and let the courts take care of the situation?" The very next absent day from school I decided that I would go to his house and bring him to school. When I arrived he was not home, but as I stepped off the porch I spotted him turning around at the sidewalk to walk away after seeing me. I got in my car and followed him and as I pulled up next to him, I insisted that he get in the car. He complied. When we arrived back at the school I spoke with him for over an hour. I sent him on to class not knowing if anything got through to him. He remained at school that day and came the school the next day which was his first two consecutives days in attendance in over two weeks. Sometimes we have to lead with the soul...

Servant Leadership

As I began reading about servant leadersphip to prepare for my contribution to my group's upcoming presentation in December, I could not help but be drawn the biblical story depicting Jesus washing the feet of the discipline. I could not at first imagine under what circumstance the Son of God would be complelled to stoop down to common men and become a servant to them. Knowing who is was and that the world would one day bow down at the sound of his name, he still humbled himself and became a servant to the men who worshipped him. Then I realized that Jesus was the "Master" teacher of all master teachers. This incredible episode in the Bible taught me that servant leadership is the ultimate example of the old adage, "lead by example". Servant leadership provides the leader with an opportunity to show his/her followers that great leaders are born out of their ability to be obedient followers. In other words, you can't lead where you have not been.