Colleagues,
MVP: See the list below for ideas on when to ask reflective questions. I talk a lot about asking people questions, but how do we do that beyond just having the questions ready?
If you have other suggestions consider sharing them! Email me here. Today’s intention: Be mindful of the opportunities to engage with people and ask reflective questions. Even if you choose not to, be mindful of the opportunities you have. Cheers! Frederick
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Colleagues, MVP: Nurture self-reflection in others by being present, asking, and listening. I have this concept I call the Cube of Development.
The remarkable thing – and it really is remarkable – is that you can help them develop the skill and block the time without any special training or knowledge!
You can facilitate the single most powerful growth method without any training! You just need to do three things:
It is that simple. Today’s intention: Do one of these - find someone and provide the opportunity to reflect by asking questions and listening or create time for your own reflection. Five minutes is enough. Cheers! Frederick Colleagues,
MVP: Ask people questions that help you learn about them. Oh, today’s episode of The Assistant Principal Podcast is soooo awesome! Alexandra Auriemma is a wonderful assistant principal in New York. Way back in episode 153 I suggested three questions school leaders should ask their veteran teachers:
Alex involved the whole team, not only in asking veterans but in conferencing with all of their teachers. The biggest takeaway was this – listening to people helps them feel valued, and helps you be better at supporting and growing them. I hope you listen to the full episode, whether you are an educator or not, there is so much to learn from Alex’s experience. Today’s intention: How would you answer these questions? How would you feel if someone asked them and then listened intently? So, what’s stopping you from giving that gift to someone else? Cheers! Frederick Colleagues,
MVP: Asking the second question (or the same question a second time) indicates you care, and often leads to honest revelations. My son Lance is a big kayaker. Several weeks ago, he competed in a race on the Russel Fork and cut 20 seconds off his previous best time. Last weekend he was due to compete in bigger race on a more consequential run on the Green River here in North Carolina. He’d left early in the week to “get some laps in” ahead of the Saturday race. Pam and I had blocked our weekend and were planning on getting up early Saturday to go watch him, but on Thursday Lance called me to tell me he was pulling out of the race. I know the section of river is intense and dangerous, and my father’s brain went right away to his health. “Are you alright?” I asked. “Yeah, I’m fine.” “Lance. Really, are you alright?” “Well…” Thankfully nothing was broken, but he had taken a spill and gotten beat up. I wouldn’t have known if I didn’t ask the second question. Today’s intention: What about people you are working with? Has someone “gotten beat up”? How would you know? This week, when you check in with people, ask the second question: Really, how are you? As always, the power is in asking, and listening. Honor your own silence. Cheers! Frederick Colleagues,
MVP: Just because you believe a goal is valuable doesn’t mean that others do! M=V/E Motivation = Value/effort Imaging you are walking out of a store and you see a $100 bill laying on the ground three steps away from you. M=$100/3 steps ($33/step) But what if it was a $1 bill and it was 20 steps away? M=$1/20 steps ($.05/step) In these examples, the difference in motivation is easy to understand. However, what if we don’t agree on how much the V (value) is worth? The things I value may not be the same as what you value. If I assume we see equal value in a given endeavor, I am making a mistake. Chance for bonus points! Today’s subject line references something specific. Email me the answer if you know it. Just for fun because it is Friday 🤣 Today’s intention: Think about someone who is unmotivated to do something you think is important. Let go of judgment and become an economist. How might their view of the value, or lack thereof, be different from yours? Cheers! Frederick |
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