Two weeks ago I wrote about my friend and final four college basketball official Roger Ayers and the story of my first playoff game with him. I shared about his leadership and style, and how he made me feel throughout that stressful moment, especially because it was my first time in such a setting. If you didn’t have a chance to read it take a look here.
My friend Paul DiasParra, from Crown Refs, interviewed Roger and posted it on his program Crown Refs. Paul is an educator and does a great job helping other officials by interviewing terrific referees and sharing their influence on the game. Roger spent over 90 minutes with Paul sharing knowledge and leadership tips that he uses on and off the court to be a successful official. He shared a lot over those 90 minutes including awesome points on communication and preparation, but one of the most important things he said that resonated with me in my role as a school leader was “be the referee that everyone wants to work with.”
While we are not in this business to make friends or look for the affection of those we work with, how do we become the school leader that everyone wants to work with? How do we become the school leader that every parent wants to have in their child’s school? Those are some tall tasks and big questions, but there are a lot of things that we can do to make those around us feel comfortable. After doing this job for 16 years in Port Jervis, New York, I’ve had the opportunity to be around some great educational leaders as well as learn from so many through conferences, blogs, and even doing my podcast #ELB.
Here are a few things that come to mind when thinking about Roger’s statement: “be the educator that everyone wants to work with.”
- Bring it each day, for each kid and every teacher.
- Integrity: Do what you say you’re going to do.
- Be a good listener: giving people your undivided attention. That is a challenge in today’s world being so busy with cell phones and radios and emails and all the things that draw our attention. This is especially difficult for me with someone who is blessed with ADD. (It’s a blessing not a curse. I work hard to keep focused on those I am engaged with.)
- Be curious: I heard a great saying the other day that being curious is emotional hunger and not being afraid to ask a question. Can we do it differently? Can we do it better?
- Be supportive: how can we better support those around us?
- Have a keep rolling mindset: how do we bounce back after something that doesn’t go away or after a negative interaction?
Quote: “Coaching is the universal language of change and learning.” – (CNN)
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