Culture Club

 

T-shirts.  If you are involved in high schools, and particularly in high school activities, you know they’re everywhere.  Students buy so many t-shirts that it is not unusual, in fact, for moms, aunts, or grandmothers to create quilts out of those t-shirts for their students to take with them after high school.  Let me start by saying that I’m a fan of the high school t-shirt.  It shows pride in activities and helps students feel they belong.  What I’m not a fan of (and I apologize to those who design these) is the t-shirt with wording on the back that takes me 15 or more seconds to read.  You know the ones.  “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, etc., etc., etc.”  If I have to walk down the hall following the person wearing it in order to read it all, it’s just not for me.  I’m about efficiency.  Short and sweet.  As a former coach, I made sure of it.  And to me, any message on the back of a t-shirt should reflect team culture.

 

In a previous lifetime, I was fortunate to serve as the Volleyball coach at Wahlert High School in Dubuque.  I was blessed to lead several groups of phenomenal athletes who trained with purpose, knew how to have fun, and competed as all get out.  We certainly had our share of all-conference, all-state, and all-American players.  But we also had those whose names would never end up in the article about the match and would never be shown on the highlights at 10:00 p.m.  They simply wanted to be a part of something they enjoyed, and they did all they could to contribute to the success of the team, no matter what the role.  Because of those athletes, as well as terrific assistant coaches, and supportive administrators and parents, the Golden Eagles won 11 state championships during that time. Our culture was simple and it reflected giving maximum effort, competing relentlessly, doing everything (practice, move from drill to drill, transition from one play to the next in a match, come out of the locker room, return to the locker room, get on the bus/off the bus, etc.) in an up tempo manner, improving every day, holding each other accountable, and respect/appreciation for each other, our opponents, and officials.

 

The Wahlert volleyball team t-shirt (which we wore as practice gear as well as warm-up shirts) was designed to reflect our culture.  And it was designed to do so in simple terms.  Our t-shirt was the same each year.  Culture endures.  The front of our t-shirt simply said, “Wahlert Volleyball.”  The only words on the back were, “Play Like an Eagle.”  One of my players once told me that a player on another team asked what that was supposed to mean.  My player’s response was, “If you have to ask, you wouldn’t understand.”  It wasn’t arrogant.  It was simply indicating one would have to be part of it to fully appreciate it.  Our players and coaches knew exactly what, “Play Like an Eagle,” meant.

 

As I’m certain so many of you have done, as I moved into the Athletic Director position at Wahlert, the Principal position at Xavier High School, the Executive Director position at the IHSAA, and now serving as President of the NFHS Board of Directors, I have made culture a primary focus.  For if a school or organization does not have a culture, it has no identity.  Nothing it can point to and say, “This is what we are all about.”

This all begs the question, “What is our culture?”  How would you describe the culture in your school and your school community?  If you had to describe it in 5 words or less, what would those words be?  If you really want to know what the current state of your culture is, ask someone outside your organization.  Their answer will be based upon how those in your school and school community act.  Once you get a sense of that, ask yourself what you want the culture to be.  If there is a gap between what your culture is and what you want it to be, it’s time to go to work and figure out how to close that gap.  And as we all know, that work begins at the top.  There is a great line in the movie, “Remember the Titans.”  Two of the best player on the team, Julius and Gary are discussing dedication to the team, commitment, and attitude.  Gary, the team captain, is not happy with a comment Julius makes and says, “Man, that’s the worst attitude I’ve ever heard.”  Julius responds with, “Attitude reflects leadership, Captain.”  Pick your quote.  “If it is to be, it must begin with me,” might be a good one. 

 

As we work to determine and then develop the kind of culture we want, we start with our leadership team and identify those qualities and characteristics we want others to recognize in us.  Then we must, “Name it and claim it.”  Whether it’s, “Play Like an Eagle,” “The “Lion Way,” “We are ….,” etc., by naming it, we give ourselves and others something to hold us accountable to.  It’s much safer to ignore, “naming it.”  By not calling our culture something, we give ourselves the out of simply saying, “That’s not who we are,” when we are criticized.  That, of course, begs the question, “Then who are you?”

 

Some believe that we either have a culture or we don’t.  They leave it fate to determine whether or not culture is positive.  Some use an external locus of control and say the culture is outside their control.  For example, some believe if they have a great senior class, they will have a great culture.  I would argue that if a school depends on the “quality” of the senior class, that school really doesn’t have a culture.  A school without a culture may have a great “year” if they have a great senior class.  A solid culture ensures that every year has the potential to be a great year.

 

As those of you who have a positive culture in your school and your school community, it takes a lot of time, energy and commitment to develop a solid culture.  It doesn’t happen by accident.  And won’t happen just by hoping it will develop.  Hope is not a strategy.  It takes an intentional process to develop a positive culture.  Just as I did not believe players are what they are – some are good and some are not, I also do not believe that the culture in a school is what it is.  Coaches used to comment, “I wish I had players that bought in like yours.”  I take an internal locus of control approach on this one and say, “trained or untrained.”  Players (and we could insert, “teachers, staff, students”) do not show up the first day with everything we identify in our culture.  What are we doing to not only develop them and develop a solid culture but to enhance it, grow it, challenge it?

 

Imagine if all our schools worked to develop a culture as simple as, “Work hard, respect others, give back, and appreciate.”  What if we all reinforced each other in this endeavor?  What if we recognized each other when that culture is demonstrated?  It can seem like a daunting task, especially if we are in a situation where there is either no culture established or the culture that is, is less than desirable.  No mountain summit was ever reached with one giant leap to the top.  It started with one step – and a whole lot of resolve.  Let’s take that step and let’s show that resolve!

Today, We Choose

 

As leaders, we serve many roles.  Perhaps the one that we serve more than any other is decision-maker.  While many enjoy the comfort of the seat of “opinion,” we are faced with “making the call.”  All of our decisions, all of our choices, lead to outcomes.  We review information, we weigh the odds, we consider those outcomes.  And then we decide.  Some decisions weigh heavy; some are made almost routinely.  But the fact is, our choices have an impact on us and those we serve. 

 

Let’s take a look at a series of decisions that dramatically impacted America’s premier horse racing event, the Kentucky Derby.  As the date of the “Derby” approached, owner Rick Dawson and trainer Eric Reed were facing the reality that their horse, Rich Strike who had one only one race and was on the “also eligible” list, would not get to compete in the 2022 “Derby.”  As a “one win” horse and unlikely to even get a spot in the race, it would have been easy for the owner and trainer to resign themselves to missing out.  Instead, as trainer Eric Reed explains it, “The worst thing than can happen to us is to have a call a day or two before the Derby and say you’re going to get in and not be prepared. We trained against all odds. Nobody thought we could get in.”  Decision number one – train as if it was going to happen.

 

On the day of and 15 minutes prior to the scratch deadline, Reed received a call from the Derby - Ethereal Road had scratched and Rich Strike suddenly had an opportunity to compete.  As they considered the offer, they knew that it would cost over $10,000 plus travel to enter the horse (which by the way had been purchased for $30,000).  They didn’t feel the horse had been training particularly well so it would have been easy to pass on the offer.  They had less than 15 minutes to make the decision and at 8:58 a.m. the day before the Kentucky Derby, they made decision number two – travel to Churchill Downs and enter Rich Strike in the Derby.  The odds of winning were 80-1.  They were undeterred.

 

At the 5 furlong mark (about halfway), Rich Strike was in 18^th place (of 20).  Looked like it was going to be a nice experience but disappointing finish.  With 25 seconds left, the horse had moved up to 12^th.  It was then that jockey Sunny Leon made decision number three – take a dangerous path weaving in and out to get to the rail.

Every horse fan knows what happened next.  Rich Strike stunned the field, the fans, and the horse racing world with the second biggest upset in Kentucky Derby history.  Had any of the three decisions made – to train to win, to travel to Churchill Downs and enter, and to take a daring route to the rail – been made differently, the Rich Strike team would not have experienced the joy of such a historic accomplishment.  The courage to make those decisions should inspire us all to look at what could be instead of fearing a negative outcome.

 

Truly, The Rich Strike team’s decisions were “big” decisions.  As administrators, we focus too much of our energy on those big decisions, but it may be the choices we make daily in how to approach things which have the greatest impact of all.  How we approach “everyday” decisions and choices will determine our path and the impact that path has on others.

 

The 2023-24 school and activities year is coming.  We are trained that at this time of year, we should hit the reset button.  We start clean.

 

We will be faced with decisions to be made and deadlines to be met.  We will be faced with the year’s demands.  It is now that we commit to what will drive our choices.    And I encourage you to join me and choose.

 

Let’s Choose Love…

    No occasion justifies hatred; no justice warrants bitterness.  Let’s choose Love.  Unconditional love.

 

Let’s Choose Joy…

    Let’s refuse the temptation to be cynical, the tool of the lazy thinker.

    Let’s refuse to see people as anything less than human beings.

    Let’s refuse to see any problem as anything less than an opportunity to serve those around us.

 

Let’s Choose Peace…

    Let’s, as John Lennon urged, “Give Peace a Chance.” 

    Let’s also forgive so that we may be free from the weight of hatred.

    When others offer a fist, let’s offer an olive branch.

 

Let’s Choose Patience…

    Let’s overlook the inconveniences of the world. 

Rather than complain that the wait is too long, let’s find a way to enjoy the pause.

Instead of protesting new challenges, let’s face them with joy and courage.

 

Let’s Choose Kindness…

    Let’s be kind to all people, regardless of status, background or beliefs.

Let’s be kind even to the unkind, for only kindness can overcome evil.

 

Let’s Choose What’s Right…

    Let’s go without before taking anything through dishonesty. 

    Let’s be humble instead of boastful.

    Let’s recognize our own faults rather than accusing others. 

 

Let’s Choose Faithfulness…

    Let’s keep our promises. 

    Let’s give others no reason to question our word

    Let others never question our commitment.

 

Let’s Choose Self-Control…

    Let’s always remember to focus on what we can control
May we let go of that which we can’t

    Let’s be the model of self-control for others

 

Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Self-Control.

    To these let’s commit our year.

    When we succeed, let’s give thanks.  When we fail, let’s work to overcome.

    And then, when this year is done, let’s all be able to say we have been leaders who focus on the dignity of others and what is right.

  

Ain't Wasting Time

 

Another week and time for another trip down classic rock music’s Memory Lane.  This week’s 60’s and 70’s radio, turntable, cassette, and 8 track theme is “time.”  Whether it was the Chambers Brothers’ “Time Has Come Today,” The Allman Brothers’ “Ain’t Wasting Time,” David Bowie’s “Changes,” or Pink Floyd’s “Time,” as the years have gone by, each has moved me toward reflection.  Life's experiences have opened my mind so the messages of their words is much different today than they were back when I was “dropping the needle.” 

 

My mom died when she was 59 years old.  I remember thinking when I turned 58, if my mom knew she only had one year to live when she was 58, would she have spent her last year any different than she did?  My dad passed away in 2012.  He was 78.  He was the last of his generation in our family.  My grandparents are gone.  All of my aunts and uncles have passed away.  My immediate family now consists of brothers, sons and my wife Jodi.  My extended family is made up of cousins, nieces, and nephews.  You know what that means.  My cousin Brian, as much a friend growing up as a cousin, laid it out after my dad’s death – we are now at the front of the line.  We are the next generation that will pass.  Never thought of it that way before.  But instead of dreading it, I thought about the time that remains and how I want to spend it.

What I can tell you is that since that revelation, I’ve become more protective of time.  I’ve taken the Allman Brothers’ words to heart.  That is, “I ain’t wasting time no more.”  Not that I’ve ever been a big “time waster,” but I’ve come to realize there is so much more I can do.  With my family.  My friends.  My work team.  My professional network.  My community.  The students we serve. 

 

Most importantly, I’ve learned that with time, there is no guarantee – no guarantee of next year, next month, next week or tomorrow.  It’s a precious commodity.  And when we waste it, time is something we can never get back.  I have only so much time left to do whatever it is I want or am supposed to accomplish.  Only so much time to serve.  Only so much time to love.

 

So, what does this have to do with this week’s Director Update? As administrators and educators, we live in a professional world that is constantly looking ahead.  Most likely we are looking forward to the next school year – planning in-service, finalizing schedules, checking enrollment, lining up workers and volunteers for events, and so on.  Then we’ll look toward that first day of classes, the first concert, the first athletic events.  Before you know it we will have our eyes on Christmas break, then spring break and ultimately graduation and the end of another year.  We spend so much time looking ahead, we lose sight of how quickly the days go by. The question is, what are we going to do with those days?  Will we cross them off the calendar, treating them like a to do list?  Or will we resolve to make the most of each and every one of them?  Will we act like our days are endless or will we realize they could end at any moment? 

 

I’ve heard the question about whether we’d like to know the exact day our life will be over or prefer to not know.  Although it may seem counter intuitive, I prefer not to know because the uncertainty motivates me to take advantage of every minute since it could be my last. 

When my time comes, I’d like to be known as someone who didn’t waste time – not in the sense that I never relaxed or had fun, but instead that I was intentional about how I spent my time and who I spent it with.  As educators, we spend our lives teaching and serving.  I’m inspired by so many of you who are so giving, so loving, so committed to serve, that nothing stands in your way.

 

As a professional community, let’s show ourselves, each other, and those we serve that we are never satisfied with what we’ve done.  It’s all about what’s left to do.  We won’t waste time.  We won’t cross off our days.  We won’t take time for granted.  We will make the most of every precious moment.  Because every one of those moments can make a difference.

 

 

Imagine

 

Imagine. 

 

What a word.  It implies no boundaries, no limitations, endless possibilities.  There aren’t many words I can say I love but man, I love that word.  I can think of nothing in my life that I enjoy, I value, that I’m proud of that I didn’t first imagine.

 

One of my favorite composers of all time – John Lennon –wrote one of my all-time favorite songs entitled, “Imagine.”  He created some controversy with some of the lyrics – by asking us to imagine there was no heaven and that we should just do things right because it was the right thing to do.  My message today is not about John Lennon and his controversy.  Today, I want to encourage us to imagine and to encourage others to do the same.  It isn’t hard to do.

 

As administrators, we have watched our students in action.  We’ve seen them in the weight room.  We’ve peeked in on practice and rehearsals.  We’ve stood outside the band and choir rooms sometimes and just listened.  We watch students perform and watch them compete.  If your experience is anything like mine was, you are often simply in awe of what you see and hear. 

 

And then I think, “imagine.”  Imagine what our schools would be if students took the energy, the passion, the commitment, the dedication they show in the weight room, the stage, the court, the field, the mat, the pool, the bowling lane, and every other venue they perform and compete…imagine if they took it all and applied it to every part of their lives.  Imagine the possibilities. 

 

Imagine every classroom transformed into places where the effort to not just get through but where the desire to learn, to do, and to become experts was the driving force.  Imagine the test scores, the GPA’s.  More importantly, imagine the satisfaction of knowing they gave their best.  Imagine the confidence of realizing that when they commit to something, when they dedicate themselves to become the best, they are capable of just about anything.  Imagine how contagious the passion for learning could become.

 

Imagine the culture in our schools if every student and every one of us made a commitment to make today and tomorrow and the next everyone else’s best day.  Imagine a school where everyone believed that someone cared, that no matter how bad a day was, students could count on someone to pick them up. Imagine a school where no one dared hurt another.  Where Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter, etc. were used to celebrate all that is good about friends and classmates and were never used to embarrass, taunt or bring down anyone.  As John Lennon sang, “imagine all the people, living life in peace.”

 

Imagine our community and our world, if we encouraged our students to make it a priority to serve.  Imagine if our students donated, served meals, repaired houses, provided clothing and essentials to those marginalized in our society as if they were brothers and sisters.  Imagine all the people, sharing all the world.

 

As educators, we have a responsibility to run programs, schools, and districts.  But we have a greater responsibility – a calling.  And it is that calling that encourages, if not demands, that we imagine.

 

Imagine – no boundaries, no limitations, endless possibilities. You may say I’m a dreamer.  But I’m not the only one.  I hope someday you’ll join us and create a school and a community that can live as one.