This time of year always makes me nostalgic. While I get to go to class throughout the year and each time is like a mini flashback, there is nothing quite like the build up to the start of a new school year. A friend of mine published a blog post on those "school" supplies that moms love the most, and I must say, her list (and the instant "Oh yeah I need those!" reaction we all have reading it) make me think that I am not the only one in the start-of-school-envy boat.
We all know that kids pick up on what we do even (especially?) when it doesn't match what we say. So, what are you modeling for your children about lifelong learning?
I have a friend whose morning post today was that her daughter asked to start off her first day of school by attending a 6:30 AM sales meeting (celebrating a record sales month) with her mom. It is easy to see that her second grader sees learning as an integral piece of the pie; that she sees execution as a by-product of that learning; and that she sees the two go together hand-in-hand. (If you knew my friend you would know right away where her daughter gets that amazing sense of purpose, balance, and love of learning.)
But for the rest of us mere mortals, it is so much easier to stop at a fast food restaurant on the way home because making dinner and doing the dishes and doing everything else just to get ready for the next day is just too much. We constantly have to nag our children to do their homework, but how often do they see us learning?
I have such fond memories of when my mother studied for her real estate license. (Those big books filled with multiple choice questions!!!!) I still remember Dewey, Cheatam, and Howe and their real estate antics. But more importantly, I am convinced that seeing my mother approach learning in the same way she expected me to is one of the reasons I love to learn to this day. And it is one of the gifts I want to pass on to my son.
So, if you want to be the kind of role model that my friend and my mother are for their daughters, why not start today. It is the first day of school after all!
Crack open your trapper keeper or pad folio, your composition book (stolen from your child's supply) or a moleskin journal, your colored pencils or your favorite Cross pen, a crayon or your highlighter, and one of those five leadership books sitting around the house you've been meaning to get to. You know you have them, they have been mocking you for years. Really don't have any? That is fine, both Kindle and Nook have apps for PC and Mac and you can download them and a book in about ten minutes. Need a recommendation? Check out the list below. Just pick one book, read one chapter tonight, and write down the answers to these questions.
We all know that kids pick up on what we do even (especially?) when it doesn't match what we say. So, what are you modeling for your children about lifelong learning?
I have a friend whose morning post today was that her daughter asked to start off her first day of school by attending a 6:30 AM sales meeting (celebrating a record sales month) with her mom. It is easy to see that her second grader sees learning as an integral piece of the pie; that she sees execution as a by-product of that learning; and that she sees the two go together hand-in-hand. (If you knew my friend you would know right away where her daughter gets that amazing sense of purpose, balance, and love of learning.)
But for the rest of us mere mortals, it is so much easier to stop at a fast food restaurant on the way home because making dinner and doing the dishes and doing everything else just to get ready for the next day is just too much. We constantly have to nag our children to do their homework, but how often do they see us learning?
I have such fond memories of when my mother studied for her real estate license. (Those big books filled with multiple choice questions!!!!) I still remember Dewey, Cheatam, and Howe and their real estate antics. But more importantly, I am convinced that seeing my mother approach learning in the same way she expected me to is one of the reasons I love to learn to this day. And it is one of the gifts I want to pass on to my son.
So, if you want to be the kind of role model that my friend and my mother are for their daughters, why not start today. It is the first day of school after all!
Crack open your trapper keeper or pad folio, your composition book (stolen from your child's supply) or a moleskin journal, your colored pencils or your favorite Cross pen, a crayon or your highlighter, and one of those five leadership books sitting around the house you've been meaning to get to. You know you have them, they have been mocking you for years. Really don't have any? That is fine, both Kindle and Nook have apps for PC and Mac and you can download them and a book in about ten minutes. Need a recommendation? Check out the list below. Just pick one book, read one chapter tonight, and write down the answers to these questions.
- Why did you pick this book? (Because it was on the list and you want to be a better leader isn't going to cut it here. Seriously, at least 200 words if you need the challenge, why did you pick this book?)
- What did you learn by reading the first chapter?
- Did anyone comment on what you were doing?
- How did that make you feel?
- What would it mean to you personally if you could read a chapter and journal each night in pursuit of your own professional development?
Think about ways you can make this family time. Set a timer with everyone at the kitchen table (you have laptops, iPads, and wifi, yes you can all work at the kitchen table) doing their "homework each night. Talk about what you learned with your children - think they don't understand? You will be surprised. Your greatest sounding board could be sitting across the table from you. Don't talk down to them, seriously ask them what they think and then listen.
The Medici Effect by Frans Johansson. The premise of this book is that "great innovative breakthroughs can be explained by the intersection of disciplines and cultures." I like this book as a starting point because it gets you thinking about making connections between all the different experiences you bring to the table - that perspective which only you can provide.
Strengths Based Leadership by Tom Rath and Barry Conchie. This book includes a code for you to go online and find out what your top five strengths are. The book breaks the strengths down into four domains and shows you how they each work to produce results. The premise of the book is that you will get further developing your strengths than working on your weaknesses (unless, of course, one of your weaknesses is a career derailed). I think the unstated genius of the book is that to have a balanced team (or someone to work with) you can choose someone with strengths in areas you are not strong in. Why work to build competence in a weak area when you can partner with an expert!
The Introverted Leader by Jennifer Kahnweiler. Dr. Kahnweiler shows Introverts how to their preference and her 4 P's Process to become better leaders. For those of us who have a preference for Extraversion, the book shows us a process that works regardless of preference and gives us a perspective on what those with another preference need. The chapters cover all the major work areas so it is also a great place to start a reflective professional development project.
The Four Disciplines of Execution by Chris McChesney. Strategy without execution is really nothing more than a day dream. This offering from the FranklinCovey brain trust is for those people who want to focus on achieving results. The idea of prioritizing Wildly Important Goals and working towards them creates positive, proactive, engaged teams.
The Next Level by Scott Eblin. The Next Level is about the transition from specialist/technician to executive, from the doer to the planner, from the specific to the general. It is about what you need to let go of when you move up the chain (doing everything yourself) and what you need to pick up (seeing the big picture). In other words, being the go-to-person is what got you where you are today. But "what got you here, won't get you there." You need to be able to let go what you are good at and what you have been rewarded for in the past to pick up the new skills and presence you will need to be a successful executive.
The Next Level by Scott Eblin. The Next Level is about the transition from specialist/technician to executive, from the doer to the planner, from the specific to the general. It is about what you need to let go of when you move up the chain (doing everything yourself) and what you need to pick up (seeing the big picture). In other words, being the go-to-person is what got you where you are today. But "what got you here, won't get you there." You need to be able to let go what you are good at and what you have been rewarded for in the past to pick up the new skills and presence you will need to be a successful executive.
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