Navigating Nonprofit Org Leadership Transitions: An Assessment Tool, Part 2
Welcome to [Part Two of this short exploration of Empedocles' philosophy as applied to navigating nonprofit organizational leadership transitions](
Transparency
No Surprises Organization
Do you work in a no surprises organization? That is, the kind of place where nothing exciting is allowed to happen, the possibilities of something causing ripples fiercely protecte
Genuine Leadership Insights #1: Be Who You Are
Do you collect leadership insights? I do. I hate it. A part of me says, "You already know everything you need to know to be an awesome leader. You only have to implement." At that
A @Wakelet Collection: Genuine Leadership
Every time I turn around, I find myself creating or browsing Wakelet collections. If you're not familiar with Wakelet, it's a terrific content curation app that I have written abou
MyNotes: How To Say Anything to Anyone
"Is there a way to share feedback and ideas with one another that works well?" The question had come up at a particular group's team building getaway. Two of the participants sugge
Technological Relativity: Exploring My Journey
When I started working at my new position at a non profit education organization on March 21, 2016, I had no idea how I would be handling a fresh challenge providing professional
Reaching for Transcendence: Servant Leaders Journey (Updated 2x)
When I first wrote, 4 Questions for Servant Leaders , I remembered previous opportunities for taking on
Make Your Work Worthy of Sharing
Image Source: http
Open to Possibility!
A favorite song of mine comes from the O'Shea group, Here I Am . Have a listen...aren't they great? [youtube Moving from one job to
A Voxer Vow: Stop Rambling
"Stop rambling!" my brain shrieks at me, jumping up and down on the sidelines as I speak into my phone, try to sound coherent in the midst of a Voxer chat. I realize, minutes lat
SchoolCIO - Settling for Nothing
Thanks to the [SchoolCIO](http:/
Ask the Question - Mine for Problems
"Mine for conflict," goes the old saying, but more deadly are unknown problems lingering in people's minds. [ ](h
Do What Works
No matter what your level of expertise, you can always do better. The question is, "When is the status quo good enough?" It's a trade off between investing time and effort to impro
Fear Motivates - The Specificity of Success
Over the last few weeks, I realized that I'd been motivated by an unreasoning fear that whispered in my ear, "You're not doing enough." It came to a head last week for me when some
Let Your Best Be
The week my Dad took to die in October, 2006 was made a little less difficult because I could blog about the experience. Though deeply personal, the act of blogging made it possibl
Make Love through Blogging - From Experience to Learning Opportunity
At [TEFL Matters (Marisa Constan
Ok Alone
It's not every day that I read a blog entry that just hits me between the eyes, and yet, that's exactly what happened when I read this blog entry, [15 Things That Introverts Wou
The Disinterested Leader - Harmonizing Action
"When you go home today," she said to me, "you're going to blog this, aren't you?" Before answering, my brain paused for a micro of a nano second. After all, she is my direct s
A Thousand Cuts - Healed, One Conversation at a Time
"Death by a thousand cuts,"
Avoid the Quest for the Best: Playing and Learning for Fun
When at work, one of the profound challenges I face is remembering to have fun. It's so easy, especially as "a boss," to get serious about the work. When I get to present at confer
Creativity Frightens Me
When I read statements like Harold Jarche's below, I confess to a bit of helpless despair: First of all, learn real skills, not
Confessing Mistakes
As John Buckley points out, The saying goes, “If at first you don’t succeed… cover your trac
The Moses Complex - 6 Tips for Leaders In Spite of Themselves
At this time of year, I always doubt myself (ok, I do it that more than just at this time of year). The reason why is simple it's job appraisal time. You know, that moment when yo
Podcast - Seven Tactics or Surviving Leadership Transitions via @coolcatteacher #ecmatters
How exciting to see that Vicki "CoolCatTeacher" Davis' interview with a relative unknown, "Michael Guhlin," has been published! Thank you, Vicki!
Average is Over
Something very, very big happened over the last decade. It is being felt in every job, factory and school. My own shorthand is that the world went from “connected to hyperconnect
Pointless Leadership - Make It Meaningful @gcouros @ransomtech @blueskunkblog
"Miguel," one supervisor said to me many years ago, "what's the best you can propose? Let me worry about figuring out how to fund it." Even farther back, the incomparable [
The Grateful Stoic - Grateful for the Pieces
"Heck!" That was my first reaction when my wife knocked over the bottle of vinegar, which exploded into a million shards in the kitchen. We all stared aghast at the growing stain o
Comment Hoist: Being Forgiven
In response to my " How To Say You're Sorry " blog entry thanks to all for reading it! I received various Retwe
In the Past - 3 Words to Avoid
"In the past," began my veteran secretary at my new job, " we would...." Of course, I listened attentively. After all, I've been told that is one thing I do well. But if you
7 Tips for Surviving Leadership in Transition (Edited)
"Miguel," a dear friend and colleague asked me, "have you read the new superintendent's book?" At my blank stare, she pointed to the purple book in her hand entitled, [5 Temptatio
DO AND/OR DELEGATE - CTOs Role
This is an [interesting article about how the role of the Technology Director is evolving in District Administrator (November 2013) magazine](
Collaboration
What a powerful quote! Wha
Why Work is Like Nutella, NOT Peanut Butter
Plodding through the beautifully organized world that is LinkedIn.com, I stumbled on an intriguing article [Why Work is Like Peanut Butter](
Twittering Fritterring - Affirming Twitter at Work
'Some are concerned about the amount of tweets you send out during work hours and are questioning if that should be something you are allowed to do during the day while you are a
SchoolCIO - The Undiscussables of tech leadership
[ Read the article online
Insight through Insecurity @8amber8 #cpchat
Amber Teamann (@8amber8) asserts that, Your Insecurity will Destroy You! As a person in a leadership position, I can honestly
Atrocious Acts @BrylynCowling
A comment left on Techpathy has me asking myself a few questions: Mr. Guhlin, My name is Brylyn Cowling and I am an elementary
Getting Along
"What the heck has Beth all riled up?" I growled to a dear friend, who happened to be a 2nd grade teacher where I taught 3rd grade bilingual in East Texas. "Did you hear how she cu
Wrong-headed and Stubborn
"Miguel," my wife as
Do Something Risky
"Do something risky today, something that makes you sweat a little." I so wish I remembered where I read the quote that paraphrase is adapted from, but I don't. Instead, I'm
When Misunderstandings Occur
"When misunderstandings occur," I've often reflected after a crucial conversation at work or home, "it's often because we failed to communicate, to lay bare our thinking or lack o
Good Enough #principals #lead
"Most of us in those days were pleased to have a roof above us and a solid earthen floor, but not Mrs. Macken. "Mr. Shafter," she said, when I was counting my work finished, "i
Be the Difference - Growing Comfortable with the Face of Fear @paulrwood
Over at Paul R Wood (@paulrwood) shares [his personal story](
For the Sake of Creation
Image Source: Russian Dragon
Scenario #3 - Peer Accountability #principals
"At my school," shared Jennifer, "teachers are expected to administer the benchmark assessment, run the paper through the scanner, then organize the results. Every time it's Meli
Confrontation Protocol for Principals
Chatting with a principal colleague, s
Scenario #1 - Confrontations that Lead to Excellence
Image Source: Gradebook " Ever
Scenario #2 - Hungover Teacher Wearing Sunglasses in Classroom
"Could you please pick up my students from the gym?" asked Martina. "Sure! You stuck in traffic?" countered Virginia "Oh, I'm so blasted from last night. My boyfriend and I w
Exploring the Confrontation Model
For fun, I decided to give Susan Scott's [ Fierce Conversations ](
Leadership CPR for Relationships and Meetings
"Why don't you two speak to each other about this? When you're ready to rejoin the group, let me know." Oh, how naive I was. That was my response to two warring team members.
Stairway to Failure @mcleod
Image Source:
Grow Towards the Light #edchat #lead
Image Source: Are you a leader who works in darkness or light? In my personal experience, the leader who "works
Reset to Zero: Tech & Leadership and Our Learning Odometer
Reset to Zero Image Source: In a recent blog entry, [Learning is Vulnerability](
Be Yourself - Techie, Teacher, Whatever
Over at [Education Rethink](
In the Coccoon - Blogging Changes Us
Source: At ISTE 2013, Dr. Scott Mcleod (Dangerously Irrelevant) and I had t
Built Not Bought #spurs #leadership #nbafinals
Now, before you Miami Heat folks
The Disinterested Leader - Leading without Drama
"Yes, what we need to do is move one of Miguel's staff positions
Freak Out about Leadership - #Ubuntu
[LeadershipFreak](
Master Delegator? Boss or Leader
"You're a master delegator," a col
Cacophony of How Great Thou Art #edcamp
We so often, agree t
The Irrepressible Mole - Leadership Short of Awesome
Ok, I wish I were in this kind of shape.
CTOs Role - Repairing Bridges, not Tech
“It is not what we learn in conversation that enriches us. It is the elation that comes of swift contact with tingling currents of thought.” Agnes Repplier [
A Cool Balm - A Leader's Positive Thinking
I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jer 29:11 I read this quote from Jeremiah via Tw
I Hate Sales People but Then Again...
Early in my career, I met a car salesman
Attitude - The Difference Maker
As a young teacher, I remember reading
Creativity Terrifies Me
"A writer, writes." When my childr
Exploring Ineffectiveness - 5 Leadership Lessons
"One million kids leave school each year or roughly 7,000 drop outs every day" (Source: PBS.org)
Creativity - Jars of Clay
Image Source:
SchoolCIO - What CTOs Should Get Fired For
Thanks to [SchoolCIO's Ellen Ullman
Adding Value
Image Source: "How can I add value to someone else? " Once you define success in this way, asserts John Max
Technology - The Arms Race that Never Was
Source: Somewhere on Google Plus Taking so
@Zite CEO Responds #contentcuration #ipad
Update: Thanks to Zite folks (and Mark Johnson) for fixing the issue discussed below! [
No Whoa for Leaders
Source: [
CTO's Role: Solving Problems Together - School District Cafeteria Software
Can anyone tell me what software they are using for their cafeteria? We are looking into this at the moment. Any CTO will tell you it's important to have handy answers when
Chilling Remarks - When Content Curation is Misconstrued
Jerram Froese read one of my tweets from the past 48 hours The school that swapped its laptops for iPads...and wants to switch back and then [poste
Get Progressive
Source:
Stuck Behind a Turtle - Breathe Life into Winter
Are you " stuck behind a turtle? " It's a quaint phrase that observes that innovative minds may often get bogged down, stuck behind a slow moving organization. When I reflect on
Lecture Languor
lecture lan·guor [lang ger] []( [Show IPA]( "Click to
Edgy Communications
Source: Dialogue. It's the one thing some folks really woul
Transparent Transformations
Or should that read, "transformative transparency?" I like the latter better. Transparency can be transformative because it allows us to see exactly what's changing, or that change
If Transparency Equals Trust
Source: Hugh at Gaping Void. [Naked Conversatio
Radical Transparency - Let Goodness Manifest
Image Source: Earlier today, as dark clouds gathered, thunder and lightning assailed our ears and eyes in San An
What We Have Been Unable to Say
Source: Boxer Animal Farm )
Jellyfish Blogger - Radical Transparency
[Listening](
Soul Power
Steve Olson's blog has an entry entitled "How the Public School System Crushes Soul." An excerpt that I fo
Remembering Who We Serve
To thine ownself be true. Polonius had it right, in spite of his long windedness. The power of transparency, of integrity and honesty
Seedlings
Blogs are as alive as the people
Thinking in the Open
Here's an email that came in one day: Hmmmm…where to start…do I want to have that heart to heart with myself in a public forum? I am seriously tempted. You know I could do it…but
Unforgiven Transparency
Source: http:/
Rejuvenating the Mind - On Blogging and #iPads
Stats as of Friday, 06/29/2012 at 9:49
Unexpected Sights (or, Learning Junkie)
One of the fun things about travelling places includes the unexpected sights. On my way to Texas A&M, flying down the highway in the middle of the night I'm not sure if the best a
Epiphany of Experiences - #iPads in the Classroom
Adapted from Image Source at
Solving Real Problems
Education technology, whether it's a smart board, blended learning curriculum, computer, or iPad, is merely a tool. It's only as good as it can be effectively used to solve a nee
How Do You Remember Heartbreak?
Source: On the dr
CTOs Role - "It's the Leadership, Stupid!"
Note: This is one in a series of blog entries exploring the role of the Chief Technology Officer (CT
CTOs Role - Building a Technology-Supported Learning Ecology
Note: Welcome to the CTO's Role Blog Series! This blog entry continues my [series on what CTOs need to know and do](
Slash and Burn - Leadership in the Field
Image adapted from source: Not
Opening Gambit - Creating, not Criticizing, Together
" The greatest compliment that was ever paid me was when someone asked me what I thought, and attended to my answer. " Henry David Thoreau [
Relationships...MATTER. #edchat #cbchat #edtech
Note: This is one in a series of blog entries exploring the role of the Chief Technology Officer (CT
Just Jump In - Exploring Options for Netbooks, iPads and More
Note: This is a continuation of the blog entry, The CTO's Role Involving Stakeholders . [
InstaPaper/ReadItLater<>EverNote
Image Source:
Wolf Wisdom - Starving Scorn in #EdTech?
Paging through my feeds in GoogleReader a moment of luc
iPad Roundup #iPad #BYOD Continuum of Control
[youtube For someone who purports to not like iPads, I've certainly spent a lot of time exploring their use in K 12 schools! A quick r
5 Encryption Tips for School Administrators (Updated 1/1/2012)
Need to protect confidential informati
Co-Learning Revolution - Wake Up, Sleepwalkers!
[Read David Moody's book, Autumn
Learn Anything, Anywhere, Anytime.
When my Dad passed away on October 7, 2006, a big part of what was lost included his experience, the stories that only he could tell with such enthusiasm and humor. Those stories a
Have Faith When Movin' On
Fungus on a Rock Source: [
#Rockstar Blog Your World #Meme
Joan Young's Gift of Blogging video response The [RockStar blog meme](
Euthanizing the Education Experiment #edchat
Image Source:
Obstacles For a Reason
Oh, my curmudgeon self must be manifesting again. This video cartoon seems so appropriate for education today that is micromanaged from the top down, as the video suggests. Simply,
Planning the Right Experiences
Source:
Differentiate or Die
Source: Pencil
Circle the Wagons
Source: http:/
5 Conversations I Don't Want To Have Anymore
Source: http:/
Institutionalizing Ignorance - Enlightening with Laughter
A colleague recently pointed out the following video to me, laughing at the incompetence of organizations that institutionalize ignorance in their leaders. (If YouTube is blocked,
Rustling Laughter
[ ](
A Heart-Stopping Moment
For a heart stopping moment or two this morning, I
Mimicking Motility - Join the Sunday Conversations EdTechTalk @lparisi
This Sunday at 10:30AM C
MyNotes - Good Communication that Blocks Learning
Note: Chris Argyris was one of the first authors that opened my eyes to my work in organizations...simply, espoused theory vs theory in action blew my mind. What a thrill to
Paycheck Leadership
"Remember that piece
Thanksgiving Bowl
[ ](
Balance of Power
Note: It's amazing, I actually wrote this back in 2001. It's a piece that endures for me, although it was never published because the TCEA Executive Director (in 2001, mind you)
Come Alive
Note: The following is a rough draft of a blog entry that I'm "throwing out here" for feedback and see what happens. I won't critique it in this short note. 
Throw Away Moment
[ ](http
HuffPost - Flipped
What a thrill to finally see one of my blog entr
Clueless
[ ](
Reflecting On Your Principles
George Couros asks some great questions in this blog entry. Here are the answers I aspire to in my head. Miguel's Preferences 1. An
Cork in the Stream
Image Source: http:/
Unbound
In "Friend, foe or strong leader?," Amber Teamann explores the challenges teachers face in using social media. But the post is more
Closed=Safe vs Open=Risky
Last week, one of my team members asked me, "How
Protecting the Sanctity of EduBlogging
It's funny that as I was introducing folks to Twitter and Plurk earlier this week, one of the tough questions I wrestled with was how to convey the tenets of blogging. For example,
If only he had a heart...Leadership Failure
When a man's an empty kettle He should be on his
Spur to Greatness - Stark Nudity
Some plants may require a constantly moist
Engage Me or Enchant Me
Image Source: I am
Power of Revelation
Image Source:
Tyranny of Competence
Note: Over the last few days, several people have asked me about the concept of Tyranny of Competence, a phrase Robert Quinn writes about. I always share the link to a blog e
Trust-Building with Transparency
Earlier this year, I had the chance to listen to
Reflections on Writing Teaching Today Part 1
"When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be." Lao Tzu "Allowing the personal to become public is the act of responsibility that initiates culture change and reforms
What We Cannot Say
Image Source:
My Teacher Made Me Do It
Image Source:
Unintended Consequences
Image Source: h
GTA for Admin - Ineffable
Image Source:
Illusions No More
Image Source:
Penance for Keynote Influencers
Source:
Living in Constant Fear
Doug Johnson (Blue Skunk Blog) shows his leadership in switching his d
The Tyrant Competente
In a previous blog entry, I shared the concept of Robert Quinn's Tyranny of Competence. It goes li
Disclose Those Freebies, Bloggers!
Are you blogging and getting freebies? If so, you'll need to practice full disclosure about the gifts you get for blogging. For example, I may have to reveal that cruise to the Bah
A Message from Your Superintendent
As I've mentioned previously, I'm participating in an Online Instructor
The Transparent Leader - "Digital Linker"
Of course, I disagree with Clay Shirky. In the
Social Media in Schools
In a few months, it will be TechForum time in Texas, an event put on by Technology & Learning. One of the workshops I submitted was [an article on Social Media](
Change Everything?
How would you run Instructional Technology differently, and how would that change everything in your District? What would you change to make things better in your district? Here ar
Finding Balance
Dick Westley writes, there are two Adams in the Bible, and these perspectives shape our entire culture and civilization. They reflect the divided state always at war. He describes
Freedom Itself
This conversation reminded me of the "set yourself on fire" post I wrote some time ago but now can't find...sigh. [Abject Learning](
Freedom to Speak
As I struggle with my own fear, my own self censoring, I realize how controlled many of us really are. I've been aware of this for a long time so there's no excuse for it. But bein
Impossible Dream
My wife lovingly calls me Don Quixote sometimes. In return, I call
Living in Truth
In his book, Living In Truth, Vaclav Havel calls attention to the innocent act of a manager of a fruit and vegetable shop who puts in his window, among the onions and carrots, th
Submit to the Need for Conflict
Patrick Lencioni and found this article entitled, Conquer Team Dysfunction . In the article, Lencioni shar
Ideas Made Manifest
Manifest Destiny
Transparency and Truth
While I'm not entirely convinced that President Obama is living up to his campaign promises of openness and transparency (and, of course, some point out, what politician does?), tw
Powerful Beyond Measure
We have been silent witnesses of evil deeds. We have been drenched by many storms. We have learnt the arts of equivocation and pretense... Are we still of any use? [Dietr
Advice for a First Time Keynoter
This morning, in reviewing my email, I had a request for advice a first time keynoter.... With some trepidation, I typed up the first few things that came to mind. Here is what I w
Twitter Fear - The Opposite of Transparency
Acknowledgement: Thanks to a friend, T. U., who asked a question reminding me that I hadn't written about transparency and transformation recently. [Let's Really Go Online! The P
The Message
Image Source: Amount of hits generated by
Fear Factor - Digital Presence
Thanks to Steve Dembo for passing along this video above. It's a video that's relevant to a conversation [The EdJ
Unforgiven Transparency
Source: Unrated Audrey writes the [following comm
Gradespeed Update (Revised 01/13/2009)
Source: [Chicago Public Schools Features Sch
Ramifications of Transparency
Audrey asks... I would be interested in reading about the positive and negative outcomes of blogging in your own career...how have the decisions regarding transparency impacted y
Permutations (Update 12/27/08)
Source: [Clepsydra Geyser Permutations](
The Mic is ALWAYS On
In high freedom environments, people use social tools for fun. In low freedom environments they use them for political action. Source: [Clay Shirky Interview](
Communication Plan
This quote is hitti
Freedom of Information
Source:
Get a Blog Online Course
Source:
My Sharing Hobby
Earlier today, June May Hattaway wrote me and asked if she could link to one of my articles, [Digital Storytelling with Web based Tools](
Open Windows
Teachers use facebook at their o
Are You a Conversational Cartographer?
As I shared in the previous blog entry, one of the books I'm reading is Susan Scott's Fierce Conversations . I just began, so I'm going to share some of the key points. 1. There
Blackberry Blues
This past week, I experienced what techno phobes must
When Worlds Collide
Source:
Writing an Application Letter and Interview Questions
Note: This entry was originally posted via my old Thingamablog web site and via my ShareMore! Wiki but it continues to receive visitors, so I'm sharing it here as an OldybutGoody
Blogging Yin and Yang
While I've certainly written about WHY I blog, and write, I haven't reflected on how I go about developing posts for my blog. This kind of question reminds me of William Zinsser's
Broken Scales
Pete Reilly, in a [recent comment](
Confronting Old Wounds
Source: Thanks to a [new Google Alert](
Inspiration Flows Both Ways
Source: [
YES WE CAN.
All my life, like most of you, I've been encouraged to be professional, to hold my tongue, to keep silent when it is best to speak up. After blogging for 4 years, I realize now tha
Time to Be You
Image Source: This graph
Breaking the Bottleneck
Earlier this week, the Texas Education Technology Network (TETN) broadcast instruction about how administrators w
Joyce on Transparency
Joyce Valenza (Web Site [Blog](
Communicate
Source: Dialogue. It's the one thing some folks really would ra
Create Relationships
This quote hits me between the eyes. The most valuable thing any of us can do is find a way to say the things that can't be said. My role is not to say what is easy or what we al
Dysfunction
Patrick Lencioni in The Five Dysfunctions of a Team highlights these points: In reviewing each of the areas above
Embrace Transparency
It's funny, but lack of transparency is so common to us in K 12 education that I bet most educators don't have a pr
Emotional Triggers
Conflict Zen is written by Tammy Lenski...she offers advice on handling conflicts, which is essential reading for any leader, especially those in K 16 schools today amidst all the
Essential
At home, my wife and I have been playing around with the "uncluttered" approach to life. You know, bare bo
Living in Hope
I found Derek's post to be a bit disconcerting: My concern really is that it appears to me that the ve
My Personal Learning
Fascinating discussion took place over at The Edjurist Accord earlier this month. I missed it ent
School Leadership
Is this an accurate description of your school district central office administrators/staff ? Does your organization (or
Trust Transparency
Source: Hugh at Gaping Void. [Naked Conversatio
TSAT
A few weeks ago (what? 2?) I shared that I'd stolen the Massachusett's Technology Self Assessment Tool (TSAT) and ad
Unedited Voices
Dave at Scripting News shares his opin
Virtually Transparent
s a citizen journalist, and blogger who writes about education technology, it's my responsibility to NOT keep my mouth shut when questionable practices are put in place. Two recent
Act Without Encumbrance
Some wonder if politically charged questions should be asked on a blog. Maybe truthful questions would be better. . .if they are politically charged, one has but to remember that t
Transformational Transparency
Or should that read, "transformative transparency?" I like the latter better. Transparency can be transformative because it allows us to see exactly what's changing, or that change