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00:00:00 --> 00:00:05 Welcome to Your Morning Boost, your daily leadership advice to help you lead your school community.
00:00:05 --> 00:00:09 Brought to you by AWB Education and sponsored by Grundmeyer Leader Services,
00:00:10 --> 00:00:14 where together we are transforming education, one leader at a time.
00:00:15 --> 00:00:17 Now here's your host, Adam Bush. Good morning.
00:00:18 --> 00:00:21 Welcome to Your Morning Boost, brought to you by AWB Education and sponsored
00:00:21 --> 00:00:23 by Grundmeyer Leader Services.
00:00:23 --> 00:00:27 Happy Monday, everybody. And by the way, For those of you that enjoy such things,
00:00:27 --> 00:00:31 I saw that tomorrow is National Oatmeal Nut Waffles Day.
00:00:31 --> 00:00:35 So if that's your thing, maybe consider planning ahead for that delicious day.
00:00:36 --> 00:00:40 To be honest, just getting a good breakfast is a celebration most days for most
00:00:40 --> 00:00:43 of us that are leading schools or school districts.
00:00:43 --> 00:00:47 So if you get a chance, I guess, have your oatmeal nut waffle.
00:00:47 --> 00:00:52 Today, we're diving into a topic that is crucial for both individuals and organizations,
00:00:52 --> 00:00:57 and that is priorities. But before we get started, I want to invite you to a
00:00:57 --> 00:00:59 special Your Booster Shot episode coming this Wednesday.
00:00:59 --> 00:01:04 I'm joined by the incredible Chris Norton from the Chris Norton Foundation.
00:01:04 --> 00:01:08 His story of resilience and determination is truly inspiring,
00:01:08 --> 00:01:13 and he's going to share some of his insights on how to overcome challenges and
00:01:13 --> 00:01:15 achieve your goals. So don't miss this powerful conversation.
00:01:16 --> 00:01:19 Chris is a former student of mine, and it's fun to be able to have a chance to connect with him.
00:01:20 --> 00:01:23 So don't miss that one. Today, let's get to our main topic. We are exploring
00:01:23 --> 00:01:27 a very insightful article by Chris Wetzel, a friend of our program.
00:01:27 --> 00:01:31 He's from Coaching to the Next Level. If you have a chance, check out his work over there as well.
00:01:32 --> 00:01:36 His article challenges us to think critically about what we truly prioritize
00:01:36 --> 00:01:40 and how we can ensure that our actions align with our goals.
00:01:40 --> 00:01:43 Now, how often have you heard someone say, this is a priority,
00:01:44 --> 00:01:46 only to see their actions tell you a different story?
00:01:46 --> 00:01:50 I mean, this is kind of a common thing, isn't it? Chris, in his article,
00:01:50 --> 00:01:55 he highlights the common disconnect between stating priorities and actual behavior.
00:01:55 --> 00:01:59 He calls this a collision of vision, and I just love that statement.
00:01:59 --> 00:02:04 This is where individuals and teams within an organization, they have differing
00:02:04 --> 00:02:06 interpretations of what's truly important.
00:02:06 --> 00:02:11 Think about it. A team leader might declare that a new product launch is a top
00:02:11 --> 00:02:16 priority, yet resources are consistently allocated to existing projects. And
00:02:16 --> 00:02:20 This lack of clarity, it can lead to not only wasted resources,
00:02:20 --> 00:02:22 but it also leads to missed opportunities.
00:02:22 --> 00:02:25 And in the end, it hinders our progress towards achieving our goals.
00:02:25 --> 00:02:30 It creates a sense of frustration and confusion for our team members.
00:02:30 --> 00:02:33 And a lot of times everybody feels like they're working hard,
00:02:33 --> 00:02:35 but nobody feels like they're moving in the same direction.
00:02:36 --> 00:02:40 Chris really emphasizes the importance of aligning priorities with the organization's
00:02:40 --> 00:02:42 mission, vision, and goals.
00:02:43 --> 00:02:47 Priorities need to be based on, not on personal preferences or reactionary decisions,
00:02:48 --> 00:02:52 but they need to be based on a strategic approach that supports the overall
00:02:52 --> 00:02:53 direction of the organization.
00:02:53 --> 00:02:59 And this could involve going through a process of active and actionable strategic
00:02:59 --> 00:03:03 thinking to determine what truly matters in this pursuit of our mission and vision.
00:03:03 --> 00:03:08 Spending a little time ahead of time is going to make a huge difference in the long run.
00:03:08 --> 00:03:12 He points out that without this process, we end up with pet priorities.
00:03:12 --> 00:03:16 And these things that individuals or departments champion because they're either
00:03:16 --> 00:03:20 interesting or easy, but they maybe aren't strategically vital.
00:03:20 --> 00:03:24 And this is where the rubber meets the road. It often requires discipline and
00:03:24 --> 00:03:29 a willingness to say no, even if it's a good opportunity, but if it's one that
00:03:29 --> 00:03:34 doesn't align with our core strategy. It's about being intentional and focused, not just busy.
00:03:34 --> 00:03:38 So what do leaders and organizations need to be saying when they talk about
00:03:38 --> 00:03:43 priorities? Chris suggests three key statements that provide clarity and accountability.
00:03:43 --> 00:03:46 First statement is, our priorities are...
00:03:46 --> 00:03:51 And this should be a concise list of some well-defined priorities that reflect
00:03:51 --> 00:03:55 the most important areas of effort that are needed to achieve our strategic goals.
00:03:56 --> 00:03:58 He stresses a handful, not a dozen.
00:03:59 --> 00:04:03 The limitation forces leaders to make tough choices, and it forces us to focus
00:04:03 --> 00:04:08 on what is truly essential. It's about quality over quantity.
00:04:08 --> 00:04:13 His second statement is, we are committed to. So commitment,
00:04:13 --> 00:04:16 that tells us action, right? Not just intention.
00:04:16 --> 00:04:20 Priorities, they should be backed by clear plans and dedicated resources.
00:04:21 --> 00:04:26 This means that we need to allocate time, money, and talent to support what
00:04:26 --> 00:04:29 we've stated is a priority, those things we are committed to.
00:04:29 --> 00:04:32 To be honest, it's about putting our money where our mouth is.
00:04:32 --> 00:04:35 Now, his third statement is, our next milestone is.
00:04:35 --> 00:04:39 This, he's telling us that priorities without execution plans,
00:04:39 --> 00:04:44 this remains very abstract. Leaders and organizations, we should define tangible
00:04:44 --> 00:04:46 next steps to measure progress.
00:04:46 --> 00:04:50 It involves setting clear deadlines, assigning responsibilities,
00:04:50 --> 00:04:55 and tracking progress. It's about turning aspirations into action.
00:04:55 --> 00:05:01 Now, Chris also points out that priorities may need to shift as our organization evolves.
00:05:01 --> 00:05:05 Market conditions change, new opportunities arise, and sometimes we get some
00:05:05 --> 00:05:08 unexpected challenges. They just kind of come out of nowhere.
00:05:08 --> 00:05:13 And when this happens, transparency and communication are very key as we make those adjustments.
00:05:14 --> 00:05:19 Leaders, we must clearly articulate why a priority is changing and how it impacts
00:05:19 --> 00:05:21 this organization's overall direction.
00:05:21 --> 00:05:26 It ensures that adjustments strengthen both leadership effectiveness and organizational
00:05:26 --> 00:05:29 success rather than create confusion.
00:05:29 --> 00:05:33 He gives a great example of how his experience as a first-year principal and
00:05:33 --> 00:05:37 how important it was for him to be able to articulate why priorities shifted.
00:05:37 --> 00:05:43 It helps ensure buy-in, and it also helps prevent teams from feeling that whiplash
00:05:43 --> 00:05:45 of new initiatives or new directions all the time.
00:05:45 --> 00:05:50 His insight, it really provides a valuable framework for individuals and organizations
00:05:50 --> 00:05:52 to assess and refine their priorities.
00:05:52 --> 00:05:56 I've heard Chris talk about this. You can hear Chris talk about this in more
00:05:56 --> 00:05:59 detail in one of our previous Booster Shot episodes with him.
00:05:59 --> 00:06:03 He helps us by focusing on a select few priorities and really aligning those
00:06:03 --> 00:06:05 with your strategic goals, and
00:06:05 --> 00:06:08 we can ensure that our efforts are directed towards what truly matters.
00:06:09 --> 00:06:13 It's about moving from a reactive to a proactive approach, and we do that from
00:06:13 --> 00:06:17 simply responding to events to actively shaping the future.
00:06:17 --> 00:06:22 It's all about building this culture of focus and accountability where everybody
00:06:22 --> 00:06:25 understands their role in achieving our organization's goals.
00:06:25 --> 00:06:28 Thank you for listening today. That is it for today's episode of Your Morning
00:06:28 --> 00:06:31 Boost. Just remember, success isn't about doing everything.
00:06:31 --> 00:06:33 It's about doing the right things well.
00:06:34 --> 00:06:37 Quick reminder, don't forget to tune in on Wednesday for our special Your Booster
00:06:37 --> 00:06:40 Shot episode with our guest, Chris Norton. It's going to be great.
00:06:40 --> 00:06:43 You're going to love it. If you'd like to learn more about prioritizing effectively,
00:06:43 --> 00:06:46 reach out to Chris and his team at Coaching to the Next Level.
00:06:46 --> 00:06:51 Their contact information is in the show notes, and it's also on the AWB Education webpage.
00:06:51 --> 00:06:55 Thank you for listening. Have a great Monday. We will talk with you again tomorrow.
00:06:55 --> 00:06:58 You have been listening to Your Morning Boost by AWB Education,
00:06:58 --> 00:07:01 in partnership with Grundmeyer Leader Services.
00:07:01 --> 00:07:06 You can find out more about our services by clicking on the links in the description.
00:07:06 --> 00:07:11 Remember, you are doing this vital job that only a few can do.
00:07:11 --> 00:07:15 So until next time, thank you for your service to your community.