3Es
3 Es: Education, Experience, Execution “Knowledge is Important AND Insufficient” Education. Learning is important. The more basic information we have stored in our brains and accessible, the quicker we can use that information to make decisions. Storing that information requires memory hooks, acronyms, metaphors, and stories to make recall easier. […]
FOMO or MOJO?
FOMO & NOJO v. GOJO & MOJO Fear of Missing Out v. Positive Spirit of Engagement OMG! Did I miss something? Being connected is healthy and important. Having time to yourself and reflecting on events is also important. It seems like we are online 24/8. Yes, that is an 8. […]
Fire UP
Unleashing Potential (UP) in Schools & Communities by William Sommers & Jorge Sciupac “If you always do what you always did, you will always get what you always got.” Moms Mabley Canaries, Trim Tabs, and the Jungle In the early days of coal mining there were many deaths due […]
School Leadership & Navy SEALs
School Leadership & Navy SEALs by Bill Sommers & Gary Denham These notes are from a learning conversation between Bill Sommers, a high school principal and Gary Denham, retired Navy SEAL & former 8th grade history teacher Question: What lessons can a principal learn from a Navy SEAL and […]
Got Gaps? Build Bridges
William Sommers Jorge Sciupac How about a new acronym for GAPS. GAPS: Good Alternatives Produce Success. There is a great deal of talk about gaps between what we want and what we got. This quote is attributed to many people, ‘if you always do what you did, you always get […]
Never Enough
In education it seems that whatever we do, it is never enough. Schools have taken on so many social issues trying to help kids. I think it was Andy Hargreaves who said that burnout isn’t so much being overwhelmed by demands (although that is true), it is working long hours, […]
Killer “B”s
The Killer “B”s Bullies & Bystanders While viewing an interview with Jodi Picoult this Sunday June 5, 2022, she was talking about bullying in schools. Violence and Silence starts early. As stated in earlier New Rules, ‘what you permit you promote.’ This quote has multiple attributions. Please find a previous […]
Iron Underwear
Educators have asked me, ‘how does someone turnaround schools?’ My answer is, “put on Iron Underwear. You will get eaten from all sides.” Then, my response is, you better know what you believe in, where are your bottom lines, and be able to articulate why you take certain actions. Most […]
Got Courage?
Sign Up for Stakeholder Centered Coaching for Educational Leaders. Not for the faint of heart Ernest Shackleton ran this ad when looking for members for an Antarctic expedition in 1914. “Men wanted for hazardous journey. Low wages, bitter cold, long hours of complete darkness. Safe return doubtful. Honour and recognition […]
SCC 4 E
Stakeholder Centered Coaching For Educators Time is the one of the most important non-renewable resources. When coaching leaders, ‘I don’t have time’ is the most common response. BUSY, BUSY, BUSY. Demands from the position, from those you report to, those who report to you, and those external to the organization […]
Why We Need Change in Schools
Six Skills that Prepare Students for Work and Life in the Fourth Industrial Revolution Patrick Cook-Deegan Founder and CEO Wayfinder in Bend, Oregon May 4, 2022 Why Schools Need to Change The way to set young people up for success is to teach them durable, future-ready skills. These 6 skills […]
Blue Corn & Why
WHY & Blue Corn What does Blue Corn have to do with your personal “WHY”? Laura Robinson William Sommers While looking for a visual to explain the ‘iceberg model’ this image appeared. Our WHY might be hidden from view but it is what grounds us. It is foundational to ‘how’ […]
Who? YOU
Organizations are going through constant and unrelenting change. Does anyone think the landscape will change anytime soon? I don’t. Charles Duhigg (2012) refers to ‘cues’ that are presented to us, many times unannounced. These cues cause us to react. Marshall Goldsmith (2015) calls these ‘triggers’ that many times send us […]
9 Questions
9 Questions to Ask Yourself and Others for 2022 These are questions that have been asked in books, workshops, and spiritual talks. What do you know now that you didn’t know a year ago? Peter, Church of Conscious Harmony Taking time to notice, being a father to two wonderful adults […]
Why? Because!
When taking a psychology course in college, the instructor gave us a final. He wrote a question, WHY? We all had our blue books (those who are older will remember these) and most of us looked stunned. One student finished in less than five minutes and turned in his blue […]
The Answer to Why is ‘WHY not?’
“The Answer to How is YES” Peter Block This post is inspired by Dan Dominguez of WHY.OS Institute. Recently I was certified in the WHY.os process and have started using it with educators and business leaders that I coach. Dan hosts a podcast called “WHY Not Wednesdays.” So, a […]
I am My WHY
I AM MY WHY Like it or not, here are my AHAs. To quote Popeye: I am what I am Why or why not? That is the question. Why do I do some things and don’t feel as compelled do other things? After getting certified by the Why.OS group, I […]
Lessons from the EAGLES
Lessons from THE EAGLES I attended my last two Eagles concerts this year (2021) remembering the many previous concerts. One concert in Austin, TX, Don Henley came out first. He asked for people to put away their electronic gear. Henley used a quote by John Lennon, “BE HERE NOW!” “Be […]
Noise Pollution
The last post on New Rules, Michael Ayers provided a pathway from data to understanding and wisdom. See https://learningomnivores.com/rules/data-is-everywhere/ There is a lot of noise out there. It may not qualify for data. In fact, too much noise masks real data that could be useful. How do you know if […]
What is FeedForward?
The spelling of FeedForward is correct. Marshall Goldsmith’s Stakeholder Coaching (SCC) is a proven coaching model widely used and accepted by the business world. Marshall explicitly defines this process as working with good leaders and helping them become better. After all, the best performers, athletes, and talented people have coaches. […]
Data is Everywhere: So What?
Data, Information, and Beyond What gives me pleasure in learning something is that I can teach it. Nothing will ever please me, not even what is remarkably beneficial, if I have learned it for myself only. If wisdom were given to me with this proviso, that I should keep it […]
Don’t Go Back To Work: How Habits of Mind Can Change the Way We Work
“Culture Eats Strategy for Breakfast” Peter Drucker How will the culture of your school or business change as a result of COVID? That is the question many leaders and community are asking. Whether your go to school, work in non-profits, or business, “Things Have Changed” (Bob Dylan song). So, the […]
Physics Metaphor in Organizational Life
Exploring the Metaphor of Power in Organizational Life A Story Congratulations! You, Liam, have been appointed the new Chair of the Science department in your high school. At last you will have a bit of power to make a few of the changes which seem to you to be long […]
Conflict, Repertoire, and Agility
Conflict Happens Repertoire Creates Options Agility Accelerates Action Every time I read Susan David’s newsletter called “Emotional Agility,” I think about my time as a principal of over 35 years. When teaching beginning leadership courses at the university level, on the first night of class I ask, ‘how do you […]
Things Have Changed
Things Have Changed – Get Over It Bob Dylan sang “Things Have Changed” and the Eagles sang “Get Over It.” Both are true when it comes to learning, education, and what knowledge and skills are needed to be future ready. The theme of Tony Wagner’s twitter presentation, on June 5, […]
Elevate and Evaluate
As educational leaders, at all levels, evaluating people and their talents is an ongoing responsibility. Leaders will want to have multiple strategies in their skillset. As the graphic below shows, a dashboard of options and the agility to use that dashboard can provide competence and confidence for leaders. Diane Zimmerman […]
Best Practices – NOT
Words Matter. Among the current words that concern me are “social distance.” I do not know where this started. It is wrong. I think what is really meant is ‘physical distance’ to avoid spread of COVID. Humans are social animals. Even introverts want human contact occasionally. Most people want to […]
Performance or Learning?
Learning Leads to Performance “Not Learning is bad Not Wanting to Learn is Worse” African Proverb On May 3rd, 2021, Eduardo Briceño facilitated a Learning Omnivores learning event on Mindset hosted by SW Metro District 288 in Shakopee, MN. In addition to Ted Talks and national consulting, Eduardo connects the […]
What Got Us Here Won’t Get Us There
“If you don’t like change, you are going to like irrelevance even less.” –Eric Shinseki Resist change at your peril. I remember saying, “I’m not using these computers, I’m a people person.” How do you think that is playing out? I am typing this on my life blood, a computer. […]
Doom Loop or HOPE: Your Choice
“Never deprive someone of hope. It may be all [they] has”. H. Jackson Brown These are very difficult times. Health issues, individual financial problems, and family concerns. Racial issues are causing most of us to re-examine our thoughts of equality, equity, and systemic racism. Many are asking, ‘is positive change […]
Sunk Costs or Skunk Costs
Skunk Costs, Creative Thoughts, and FeedForward What does ‘sunk cost’ mean? Sunk costs refer to money that has already been spent and which cannot be recovered. Think about gambling, investments that went sour, and scams that are currently going on via technology. I am using an expanded view of ‘sunk […]
Black Minds Matter too
My goal for this rule is to advocate to prepare all kids to be successful for an uncertain future. I believe we need to get better at teaching and preparing students who may have fewer resources than other children. Every child is born with a brain. Our responsibility, as educators, is to help […]
Results Require Discipline
“Execution beats luck Consistency beats intensity Curiosity beats smart Kind beats clever Together beats alone” Shane Parrish This is the third in the series of Marshall Goldsmith’s assessment of who would be coachable. As a review, here are the three qualifications for the best results in order to coach […]
Learning Requires Humility
“Humility is really important because it keeps you fresh and new” Steven Tyler Humility is the second requirement Marshall Goldsmith recommends in order to decide who will benefit from coaching. In the last ‘New Rule’ I posted, I was focused on courage. https://learningomnivores.com/rules/caring-takes-courage/ As a review, here are the three […]
Caring Takes Courage
“If you don’t stand for something, you will fall for anything.” Gordon A. Eadie This will be the first of a three-part series on answering the question, ‘do I coach this leader or not?’ Here is the reason why I, as a leadership coach, want to answer this question first. […]
Are You Ready, Willing, and Able?
This rule is inspired by a friend and colleague, Frank Wagner, Marshall Goldsmith Stakeholder Centered Coaching expert and former professor at UCLA. When Frank was teaching his last summer class at UCLA, I attended his workshop on Situational Leadership, a model developed by Paul Hersey. I have edited this model […]
Rise and Fall and Rise of Organizations
I attended a workshop in the 90s where Bob Hallett introduced me to Lawrence Miller’s work. I knew it then and know it now that this progression of organizational change happens in business, education, and nonprofits. COVID is changing the world. Even though it seems like forever, the changes may […]
Leadership: Learn to Fly
This rule was inspired by Richard Sheridan, CEO of Menlo Innovations and author of two books, Joy, Inc. and Chief Joy Officer. His article is posted in the ‘What We are Reading’ section https://learningomnivores.com/what-were-reading/joy-of-heights-and-distance/ As a former physics teacher, when I heard Rich present this model, it made sense to […]
The Tyranny of “OR”
Instead of the the Tyranny of “OR,” How about the Possibility of “AND.” Have you noticed that thinking in binary choices is sometimes a trap ? Binary thinking is that a solution to a problem is either/or. No in between or negotiated solutions. It is a win/lose decision. We should […]
Help students find their purpose
I am always on the lookout for new and innovative ways to help students learn. I am always on the lookout for new and innovative ways to help adults learn, me included. Here is an organization worth checking out. In a conversation, with a friend and colleague Barbara Dill-Varga, we […]
Words are rumors, Watch their feet
“Life is change, growth is optional, choose wisely.” Karen Kaiser Clark. In the 90s, in a workshop, Angeles Arrien said, “Words are rumors, Watch their feet.” Not only have I not forgotten this, it has kept me out of trouble. Yes, people have told me they will change, turn over […]
Don’t Stay in the Doom Loop
OK, coronavirus happened. I don’t like it either. As my colleague, Jane Stevenson once asked me, “how long are you going to be mad?” I was pouting, pissing, moaning, and wanted to strike out at something. I don’t remember what the issue was but I remember what Jane asked me. […]
Navigate VUCA with Habits of Mind
I first encountered the term VUCA when reading Bob Johansen’s book (2007) Get There Early. As I tried to understand the concept of a world that was undergoing major shifts and confusion, VUCA made sense to me. VUCA stands for volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity. I strongly suggest you apply […]
Take Time To Think
The bad news: Coronavirus. One possible positive side effect: time to think, reflect, and create. Watching the news is a drain on my energy and emotional state. Since I am home and not on the road I have time to talk to friends, catch up on reading, and create new […]
Lessons from Lisse
Last weekend I attended my granddaughter’s birthday party. She is four years old. Perry and Shanti, her parents, organized the party to be held at BounceU. Being a high school principal most of my life, I learned many lessons from these kids at the party and from Lisse afterward. I […]
Be a NOOB and like it.
Definition Noob definition, a newbie, especially a person who is new to an online community and whose online participation and interactions display a lack of skill or knowledge: Some games and gaming forums are crawling with annoying noobs. So, what does Bill, want? Michelangelo, on his deathbed, is reported saying, ‘I am […]
Be Aware of Bullies and Bystanders – Demonstrate Bravery
As I reflect on Social Emotional Learning (SEL) in schools, where test scores seem to overshadow building good citizens, companies where making money supersedes the ethical behavior, and the state of our country, where getting re-elected is more important than voting based on professed moral beliefs, I encourage people to […]
Watch out for the 3Ps.
Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Happy New Year, etc. have all passed for this year. They are days of celebration in most cultures and families. There are also people who do not experience these celebrations as happy times. There are kids and adults, for different reasons, that are subject to […]
Don’t Get Mugged by Feedback
Most school leaders, including me, say, “yes, I want feedback on how I am doing.” Of course, what most of us want is positive validation that we are doing the necessary tasks of leadership and would like to know our direct reports will give us good news. That happens sometimes. […]
Tame the Brain Rats
In 2017 I posted an article called “Emotional Anorexia.” https://learningomnivores.com/emotional-anorexia/ In schools, adults do not get a lot of positive feedback. Leaders get even less. I related a story of a wonderful teacher who I recognized at a faculty meeting. The next morning she showed up at my office door […]
How Are the Children – Again
October 21, 2019 I have to ask again during the fog and diversion in our world. Get some focus people. Goethe said, “the things that matter most should never be at the mercy of things that matter least.” Do our children matter most? Are kids still in cages? Are children […]
New Rule: Teach Kids They Are Smart
Henry Ford was quoted as saying, “whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you are right.” Sometimes students start believing they are not smart enough to be successful in a class or in school. We know most people have preferences and knacks for certain subjects or practical […]
What if I am the Problem?
Arrogance and Ignorance have consequences. I am reminded of a story that appeared in the book Leadership and Self Deception: Getting out of the Box (2000) (The Arbinger Institute). View a book summary at https://learningomnivores.com/what-were-reading/leadership-self-deception/ Of course, doctors are highly regarded. Back in the1800s, they were even more highly thought […]
Choose Collaboration, Compliance, or Contrarian
As you choose, ‘Beware of the Consequences.’ As leaders, we are constantly managing people. those who report to us, those who you report to and those who are your peers. You probably are also trying to manage yourself. Dee Hock, a developer of VISA, wrote an article in the 80s […]
Build Trust or Become Toast
Many studies and articles promoting trust as a social lubricant in organizations creates innovative ideas and positive solutions to problems. This is extremely important in educational settings for staff and students. Research by Bryk and Schneider (2002) identifies trust between colleagues as the most important relationships for positively affecting student […]
Put Joy Back into our Schools
On August 13, 2019, I, with a few friends and colleagues, attended a day of learning at Menlo Innovations in Ann Arbor, MI with eighty participants. The day was called ‘Back to School the Menlo Way.’ This is the fourth time I have traveled to Ann Arbor to learn with […]
Choose Who You Want To Be
New Rule: Choose Who You Want To Be The Learning Omnivores were pleased and honored to host Meg Wheatley for a day of learning Friday, August 2nd in Provo, UT. This workshop was based on the book, ‘Who Do You Choose To Be’ by Meg Wheatley. We need leaders now […]
Choose a Different Shore
Choose a different wave Every time I spend time at my timeshare in Kauai, I watch surfers. Being across the street from the ocean I have a clear view of the waves hitting the beach. I have asked surfers, ‘how do you know which wave to catch?’ Many answer experience, […]
Leaders: You Go First
New Rule: Leaders: You go first Simon Sinek (2014) wrote a book titled, Leaders Eat Last. The premise of the book was that leaders take care of others before they take care of themselves. He included a story about the Marines. At the time I read this book, I happen […]
Be a Values Vigilante
New Rule: Be a Values Vigilante I am suggesting that maybe our values are under attack and the long-term consequences will keep getting worse. Everyone has to make their own decision. I can’t, nor should I, make decisions for others. I do want to encourage people to think through their […]
Talk Don’t Text
New Rule: Talk Don’t Text First, self-disclosure. I am old, at least older, with over forty years in education. I entered the tech world many years ago, not because I wanted to, I had to. Yes, ultimately it was good for me. I used to get mad, swear, and lament […]
Find the Invisible Child
Find the Invisible Child I am adding an excerpt from the work of Matt Kaufman at the end of this rule. I don’t know Matt but his words ring true. This article was posted on Susan Cain’s website. Susan wrote the book Quiet (2012), the power of introverts. I highly […]
Ask, ‘How Are the Children?’
New Rule: Ask “HOW ARE THE CHILDREN?’ Thank you to Reverend Patrick T. O’Neill for this story. Skip Olsen and I reprinted this story in our Trainer’s Companion book published by AhaProcess in 2004. We thought it was an important beginning. As the polarization continues over many issues in our […]
Learn from a 5th grade dropout
Learn from a 5th-grade dropout. This rule was inspired by Dr. Rick Rigby’s talk on the Wisest Man He Ever Met, A third-grade dropout. I was really impressed by his talk. View it at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bg_Q7KYWG1g The 5th-grade dropout I am referring to is my father. Neither of my parents graduated […]
Create a New Animal School
Create a New Animal School There is an old story about an Animal School which I will include at the end of the new rule. It can be found in a book by Olsen and Sommers called The Trainer’s Companion published by AHAProcess, Inc. and other sources. It is a […]
Goldilocks Theory of Parenting
Goldilocks Theory of Parenting Helicopters, Snowplows, Tiger Moms and Goldilocks Lots of news is being shared since the information broke about parents paying to get their kids in select colleges. As a retired high school principal, friends would ask me, ‘is this true?” My response was, “Well, Duh.” I have […]
“Never Mistake Motion for Action”
Ernest Hemingway is credited with the quote, “never mistake motion for action.” I agree. Here are my top five reasons for being busy and keeping the status quo. Words and bluster tend to be a signal that not much will happen. Blame avoidance ensures no one is taking responsibility Fill […]
Beware of Cats in the Dog House
New Rule: Beware of Cats in the Dog House A Theory to Consider Many of us started teaching in the 60s (some even in the 50s) We remember we thought we had problems. In the 70s, court cases made attendance in school more optional. On one hand, learning is not […]
Be a Boss not a SSOB
New Rule: Be a BOSS not a SSOB A good BOSS is Benevolent, Open, Sensitive, and Smart. A bad Boss spelled backward, is a double SOB. The advice Bob Sutton (2010) offers is a good one – if you want to be a good boss, think of the bosses you […]
Give ‘em “L” #3: 3Cs of Learning
New Rule: Give ‘em “L” #3: 3Cs of Learning My premise is, if the culture isn’t right for learning, the school environment will not support people reaching their highest potential. Yes, there will be pockets of excellence because we have some very talented teachers and non-certified personnel who create the […]
Give ’em “L” #2: 7Cs of Learning Cultures
New Rule: Give ‘em “L” #2: 7Cs of Learning Cultures Want to close the GAP? Want to help create a culture focused more on learning and less on power? Want to enjoy coming to work more often? LEADERSHIP. If the leaders aren’t modeling learning, sharing leadership with staff and students where […]
Give ’em’ “L” #1
New Rule: Give ‘em’ “L” #1 I will be writing at least three “Give ‘em’ “L” rules. These thoughts are from my experience, reading literature inside and outside education, and constantly talking to students. If they trust you, they will tell you the truth. […]
Be a Cultural Custodian
New Rule: Be a Cultural Custodian I often hear that there are not enough teachers. Bullfeathers. There are more than enough teachers. The issue is that many are choosing not to teach. Hmmm. Why? Some research I have read indicates that fifty percent of the teachers are leaving the profession […]
Get a New School Bored
New Rule: Get a New School Bored When asking students the traditional question, ‘what did you do in school today?’ the usual response is “nothing.” When asking students ‘how was school today, a high percentage say, “boring.” So, why do we have a school bored? What can we do to […]
Do it for Oscar
New Rule: Do it for Oscar As I reflect on over forty years in education, “it has always been the kids and staff that gets me out of bed in the morning.” As a building principal, there is nothing more meaningful to me than to see a staff member be […]
PLCs -NOT Las Vegas
New Rule: PLCs – NOT Las Vegas Shirley Hord coined the term PLC (Professional Learning Community) and published articles at SEDL. PLCs have been a concept with great power and, from my experience, not practiced very well. Milbury McLaughlin, Stanford, supported the concept years ago and said PLCs could be […]
Do Succession Planning not (Suck)session abdication
New Rule: Do Succession Planning not (Suck)session abdication “Leadership is influence: Nothing More, Nothing Less,” said John Maxwell. I believe this is true. To quote Michael Grinder, “we have fallen in love with the influence of power, how about falling in love with the power of influence.” You can read […]
Choose Your VUCA
New Rule: Choose Your VUCA I first found the term ‘VUCA’ in a book titled, Get There Early (2007), by Bob Johansen. He foreshadowed the changes going on in society. As with all changes, conflict between the old and the new can create tension. Another way to view this is […]
Bo Peep Was Wrong
New Rule: Bo Peep Was Wrong – Be a Good Shepherd Instead The Bo Beep style of management has to be eliminated for a more active and energizing form of leadership. Show up and be a presence or find another line of work. Leaders who manage by ‘leave them alone […]
When the Horse is Dead, Dismount
New Rule: When the Horse is Dead, Have Sense Enough to Dismount Years ago I found the following story which I attached to the end of this new rule. A few years ago a colleague told me about a book If You’re Riding a Horse and It Dies. Get Off. […]