Session 1.1: Andy Stanley #1

9/13/2020

Essential #1 - During Disruption: Your voice is more important than your words.

Are you 'zoomed' out? Odds are you're not alone, but how can we make the zoom time more valuable for us and our team members? We love the idea and acts of going around the meeting and taking the time to ask "How are you doing?", then taking the time to listen and remember/take notes. Empathy in times of disruption are so powerful.

Who encourages and pushes you to be a stronger leader?
How do you connect with those you lead on a day to day basis?
Who is a leader in your life who does this well?

*Click 'Comments' and join the discussion below*

11 Comments

Emilee Tucker

9/14/2020 09:55:30 am

1. My mentor CTE Coordinator, Jennifer Turner, pushes me to be a stronger leader. Since COVID-19 hit, she has made sure to call me at least once a week to check on me professionally and personally, updates me with any new information she has received, asks me about my progress and timelines in my programs, provides me with encouraging feedback, and challenges me to push my boundaries in areas that need improvement. There is no formal mentor/mentee program for CTE Coordinators; however, there are only 15 CTE Coordinators in the state of Arkansas and the average time it takes to learn the ins and outs of the position is 3 years, so the mentor/mentee relationship is very important. I am very thankful for Jennifer's leadership and willingness to go above and beyond, particularly during this pandemic.

2. I connect with those I lead on a day-to-day basis via email. In my position, I work with over 20 schools and 120 educators that are extremely pressed for time with the pandemic and trying to balance classroom and distance learning. I struggle with knowing what is too much or not enough communication during these times. I really liked the portion of the video when Andy talked about "Do for one what you wish you could do for everyone". I plan to take this approach and target helping some of our new and struggling teachers.

3. Jessica Thomas that works at our state office has made a point to call me regularly outside of phone calls required for work to check on my baby who was born prematurely. While I have felt disconnected from others at the state office due to COVID-19 and the lack of face-to-face interactions, Jessica's empathy has improved our working relationship and has lead to more joint projects, innovation, and streamlined communication for our FACS teachers.

Kelsea Lowery

9/14/2020 11:05:16 am

1. My current supervisor pushes me on a daily basis to be a stronger leader for our department. The Center for Teaching and Learning at North Arkansas College wears many hats for our institution, and we are responsible for helping our faculty create their courses to serve our students in the best possible way. Since Covid-19, class "set-up" has been a bit challenging. My supervisor has allowed and encouraged me to take my ideas and run with them to make sure our students still feel like they are getting the best education they can receive.

2.Although I don't lead anyone on a daily basis, I help those who do lead. Seems a bit contradictory I know, but faculty members rely on me to help them with setting up their classes around technology in order to lead their students through their classes.

3.My current supervisor. She is always in constant contact with me making sure I have everything I need to adequately help our faculty and making sure that I am just okay.

Kyle Evatt

9/14/2020 01:05:10 pm

1. My state supervisor Derrick encourages me to be a stronger leader. He pushes me to do so by offering different approaches to my work and offers support when needed.
2. I connect with those that I lead on a day to day basis by reaching out and communicating plans and directions that we may take in the future.
3. A leader in my life who does this well is my co-worker Dan. He is always quick to reach out and discuss ongoing plans and ask for insight on how to approach different situations.

Rebecca Martin

9/14/2020 04:30:00 pm

* I have had the opportunity to work with a variety of leaders in the past. Each one has had the awesome ability to find the best in me and encouraged me to build on those traits. Many times, I could not see what they saw in me but with their encouragement and trust I was able to build my own confidence and skills.

*I try to always encourage and challenge. I never pretend to know the most, because often times I know the least. I want them to be empowered to be the leader in various situations while I become the follower. We do not always have the answers no matter our position. It is important that solutions, ideas, or processes are a group effort.

*I cannot point out one particular leader that I have worked with that stands out among the others. Even the worse leader I have worked with have challenged me and uncovered great opportunities for growth and change.

Addie Jones

9/15/2020 07:47:41 pm

1. My cross country coach, Wendi Brandt, pushes me to be a stronger leader. I am around her every day for practice, and she exemplifies the qualities of a strong leader. She always encourages me and all my teammates, leads by example (she runs with us every mile), and believes that anyone can succeed in their own manner. She inspires me to use these qualities whenever I lead.

2. I connect to those who lead by treating them as my equals. I am student council president for my grade and FCCLA Vice President, so I have to co-hold meetings fairly often. Whenever I am doing this, I treat them as more of a discussion, rather than only me stating what I want and how I want it. Basically, I try to listen to everyone's opinion and make sure everyone has equal say in all decisions.

3. A leader who possesses these qualities is my student council advisor, Anne Milburn. Whenever she holds student council meetings and events, she exerts control/authority, but basically leaves the meetings up to us. She lets us talk among ourselves and make the decisions, but will step in if needed.

Tori Hudson

9/15/2020 07:52:38 pm

1. My grandfather pushes me to become a stronger leader on a daily basis. Not only does he give me inspiring life lessons often, but he also leads by example . He never fails to show me how important relationships are within a leadership position, and how to make people care about the task at hand.
2. I serve in the HHS Student Council which forces me to be a role model to lower classmen and interact with them quite often. I connect with them by means of polls, hold open discussions during student council meetings, and talking between classes.
3. Rance King, my Quiz Bowl coach and previous English teacher, connects with his students on a daily basis. He always stands outside of his classroom and address all of his previous students. He is also wonderful about coming to check on his favorite kids in random classes throughout their day, and always asks us how we are doing.

Katey Sims

9/15/2020 07:53:37 pm

1) The person that encourages and pushed me to be a stronger leader is my cheer coach. I am always with my cheer coach, like I literally mean I'm with her more than half of the week. She makes sure that I am an amazing leader for my cheer team. Even more, she makes sure I am a good leader to the little kids who look up to me. She not only makes us look good with our stunts, cheers and tumbling, but she makes sure we are seen as role models in our community.
2) I connect with many kids on Friday nights during the football games. We usually have a game where we let the little kids cheer with us, but ,due to Covid, we are not allowed to do that game. Another way I lead, is in student council. Right now, I am serving as the Junior Vice president. We work very hard to provide a better environment in school for the students and the teachers.
3) Somebody who leads well is Mrs. Thornton. She has helped many people with their classes and making sure everyone is doing the right thing. She has fixed my schedule many different times. Another way she is a leader is that she helps many kids with colleges and scholarships. Finding the right college is a very difficult task sometimes, and she makes it 100% smoother.

Emily Still

9/15/2020 08:43:03 pm

1.) I would have to say my step-mother would be the most encouraging. She has done a great deal of things for me in the past years that have changed my thoughts and expressions. I used to be quite the introvert before I got to know her. I refused to go out with friends, I didn't like public speaking, I was a follower. When my step-mom came into the picture, my life started to change very slowly. I started taking care of myself physically and mentally. She pushed me to talk to people and it paid off really well. I act now, which helps me get over my fear of public speaking. I really do have my step-mom to thank for that. I'm not afraid to get up and speak my mind if I feel something isn't right and I also have the ability to lead people in better direction.

2.) I connect a lot to people because I was once in their shoes. I am in the theater program and FBLA at my High school, which it forces me to get out and be more social. It was extremely hard at first, but I really turned out to enjoy it. I deal with the kids who don't have the ability to get up and just speak up. I teach them and I relate myself to them. It usually works all the time. I don't give up on them because I know they wouldn't give up on me if the roles were switched.

3.) Leadership skills are hard to come by, and finding someone who has the qualities are even harder. Speaking on mostly family terms, my father would have to be the best known leader I have. He has this indescribable way of explaining and helping people, I don't know how he does it. He has the ability to take people who have no experience of talking or leading and turns them into a leader! It really astonishes me!

Nathan Windel

9/16/2020 08:23:49 am

1. As a science specialist, I work with local teachers as well as a state level team that collaborates on science instruction. I am encouraged both with words and with opportunities to serve by our program supervisor and my colleagues. I value this encouragement, because it is the fuel that keeps me engaged in trying new things and giving my all.

2. Connections over the past few months have been made almost entirely through virtual means. This has been, at times, frustrating but mostly exciting. Learning new tools to engage teachers and other science professionals has been a benefit to all involved. It has also led to collaborations and connections that would not have happened without the push to connect in new and innovative ways. I was able to assist with a science fair in Missouri that had judges from as far away as Canada and Hawaii. It was amazing to connect with colleagues from around the country for a regional science fair.

3. My daughter is a student at University of the Ozarks, and she has been an exceptional leader over the past few years and especially the past few months. She has worked tirelessly as a student ambassador, mentor, and helped initiate forums that brought together students, faculty, and alumni for much needed conversations about the state of our world today.

Josephine Kershaw

9/16/2020 08:41:19 am

My mentor, Betty Overton, has encouraged and inspired me to be a stronger leader. There are few female leaders of color in higher education and it is important to be courageous in moving forward. Frequent communication with my team is the norm with the assurance of an open door for them to ask questions and voice concerns. With COVID-19, this has usually been with emails; but I can see how adding a voice communication every once in a while can be beneficial. Dr. Esters, president of Northark, has done this very well.

Spree Hilliard

9/16/2020 03:54:14 pm

1. Who encourages and pushes you to be a stronger leader? For me, I am encouraged to be a stronger leader by those that I lead, those that I will lead in the future and my future self. I know how it feels to be the recipient of bad leadership. I want to be a stronger leader everyday because I know it is so important.
2. How do you connect with those you lead on a day to day basis? Through face to face communication, email and phone calls
3. Who is a leader in your life who does this well? My boss, Steve Willoughby, does this so well. He takes the time to reach out to his team daily through phone calls, emails and face to face meetings. He is focused on the team taking care of themselves so that they can be strong for the team and the customers!

LeaderChat 2020

Session 1.1: Andy Stanley #1

Essential #1 - During Disruption: Your voice is more important than your words.

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