Leadership Connectors - Continuous Renewal

I've appreciated all of the chapters in Leadership Connectors so far, but this one really resonated with me. This chapter was all about how, as leaders, we have to be aware of and make an effort to build relationships. However, while the rest of the book has been more concerned with the relationships that are built with staff, teachers, parents, and students, this chapter focused on the relationship you build with yourself - your mind, body, and soul.

It's incredibly important as a leader to take care of the people at their school, but it's even more important to take care of yourself. You can't do your job unless you're healthy - both physically and mentally. There were some great tips in this chapter, all of which combine to give everyone a "playbook" to use.

Here were the key learnings that I picked up from this chapter:

• Pick your battles - Prioritize and keep your emotions in check. Do you really need to start a battle with the students who are a little loud in the cafeteria at lunch time? I found this part really important for teachers who are in the classroom still. If you don't learn how to pick your battles, you will spend far too much time putting out fires and dealing with small, annoying behaviors. Focus on the issues that truly need to be dealt with.
• REFLECT, REFLECT, REFLECT! - Learn from your actions and words, don't make the same mistakes. In order to make sure that you don't let your emotions get to you, you have to understand your emotions.
  
• Be proactive, not reactive!
• Know thyself! - Identify what makes you happy and surround yourself with it, Figure out what pushes your buttons and avoid it, Take a walk, Be conscious of your attitude - it's contagious.
• Don't overlook the importance of friends, family, and taking time for both. They are your support and your job, no matter how fulfilling or prestigious, cannot fill the hole that a lack of support would leave.
• Find a balance - no one can do it all. Organize and prioritize so that you can be effective and efficient. Manage your time and make a daily routine, leaving enough time for both work, family, and play. You'll burn out quickly if you don't develop this balance. Some ideas: keep your office clean and organized, enlist the help of assistants and colleagues to develop systems, focus on teaching and learning, not spending time putting out fires.
• Don't underestimate the value of your HEALTH. You can't be the person either your family or your job needs if you don't have your health. Exercise, eat well, and be aware of the messages your body sends you.

Leaders have a lot on their plate. Without taking the time to get to know yourself and what you need to feel rejuvenated, you're liable to run out of steam and end up not doing the best job you can do. Realize that no one is Superman without a little effort. Put time and organization into making and achieving goals, give yourself a break if something doesn't go as planned, and reflect on how you can do better next time. We're all human :)