School’s In! Are YOU?
Every Fall for the last 29 years, I’ve started a brand new school year, entering a school campus as either a Teacher, a Principal or a Superintendent. I can hardly believe that it’s been 29 years!
But this year is very different. Let me tell you why.
Over the years, I’ve earned two graduate degrees, including a doctorate, in Leadership, but nothing has caused me to become a better leader than being a student of John Maxwell’s work. So when the opportunity came last February, I became a John Maxwell Team certified trainer, speaker and coach. Definitely one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I knew that not only had I greatly benefited and grown by leaps and bounds by LEARNING and LIVING The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, I knew in my heart that THIS school year, it was time to LEAD the 21 Laws.
So during the summer, I gathered my entire school district administrative team together and said, “Look guys, I just have to tell you about an opportunity for some personal growth that is literally going to revolutionize our entire school district.” I told them about my Maxwell certification and that I was offering to lead them in a Master Mind Group on the 21 Laws. They were ALL IN. As their learning and personal growth began to skyrocket, administrative staff members said, “Hey, when can WE get in on this?” So, another MMG began. I finally saw what was beginning to happen. People were not only LEARNING the laws, but beginning to LIVE the laws, just like I had!
It was a total no-brainer that I needed to figure out a way to now take this personal growth journey to the 114 teachers and 50 staff members in our school district. But how? I decided to do a presentation to the entire district of teachers and staff the week before school started. I shared my own personal growth story, my experiences in teaching Transformational Leadership to the people of Guatemala over the summer and how our school leadership had already started on their own personal growth journey as well. I called my presentation, “Our Journey to Significance”.
At the end of my presentation, I had what you might call a “Personal Growth Alter Call!” I had signup sheets at the front of the auditorium and ended by saying that all those that were interested in Raising Their Leadership Lid and taking their own Journey to Significance, should come sign up for a MMG cohort to be scheduled during the school year. What happened next was historic. Over 90 teachers and staff came forward and put their names on the sheets. I was completely stunned and euphoric at the same time!
We are 6 weeks into the school year and I have now started the cohorts and am seeing transformation right before my eyes. People are having hallway conversations about lifting their lids and adding value. Those that didn’t initially sign up are now panicking and asking if they can get in a group!
Yep, this may be year 29 for me, but I can tell you that School’s In this year and so am I! I’m ALL IN for adding value and helping people raise their leadership lids. I’m ALL IN for acting on the knowledge that despite the challenges in public education these days, our most important asset is PEOPLE. And, I’m ALL IN for continuing my own personal Journey to Significance.
School’s In, Are YOU?
About the Author
Lynn Wicker is a speaker, trainer and coach who Inspires people to DREAM BIG, THINK BIG and LIVE BIG.
Her company, Center for Innovative Educational Solutions, works with individuals, companies and schools and school systems to find and reach their full potential.
Contact Lynn at : http://johncmaxwellgroup.com/lynnwicker