The Bernstein Center for Leadership and Ethics’ Post

People think school leaders can control whether or not someone is toxic at work. We can’t. Truth is: toxic people will bring their toxic energy + traits into almost every setting they’re allowed to bring it in. But… School leaders CAN: 🩵 Clearly communicate our values + standards 🩵 Live out our values + standards through action 🩵 Coach all staff members to equip them with the skills to uphold our values + standards 🩵 Respond swiftly when someone is consistently bringing toxic energy into the school 🩵 Hold all staff members to the same standards surrounding their professionalism + how they interact with other staff members We might not be able to control if a person is toxic or not, but we CAN control what we allow to take up space in our school. If we want our students and staff to thrive, then we have to fiercely protect our school environment. It’s “good vibes only” or ✌🏾. —— Hi, I’m Alicia. 💜 I help school leaders build joyful + excellent schools for students and staff. Want to connect? Follow or DM me.

Harsh Truth: Harvard University found that individuals with strong social support systems are 50% more likely to be highly motivated, leading to greater success in personal and professional endeavors. What does this mean? Your success is greatly impacted by the people you surround yourself with. So, should you change your circle today? Not necessarily. 72% of employees say that they rely on their peers for guidance and leadership more than their direct supervisors. So... If things are not the way you imagined or If you are not seeing the results you expected Take things into your own hands. Follow these 3 steps: 1. Prioritize active listening, while asking: - what challenges are you facing in your job/ life? - how can you support yourself and others better? 2. Foster a culture of trust and respect - establish open communication - be consistent in words and actions 3. Prioritize your development - look for ways to grow - assess your aspirations and those of others Be the leader you wish you had. Sometimes change is almost impossible, yes, you can change your circle then. But remember, If everything around you seems dark, look again, you may be the light. --- Enjoyed this post? ♻ Repost and follow César Solís for more on mindset, professional development, and strategy.

Join the IIA Toronto Chapter and enjoy the benefits that the Chapter offers to its members!!!! Today’s Book Club focuses on the Book - Burn the Ship. 🛳️ Key takeaways from the book: “Burn the Boats” by Matt Higgins is a motivational and strategic guide to achieving success by committing fully to one’s goals and eliminating any possibility of retreat. The title, inspired by an ancient military tactic where soldiers would burn their boats upon reaching enemy shores, signifies the importance of going all-in and not allowing yourself an exit strategy. Key Themes and Lessons: 1. Total Commitment: Higgins argues that success often requires a full commitment, leaving no option for retreat. By “burning the boats,” you force yourself to find a way to succeed because failure is not an option. 2. Mindset Shift: The book emphasizes the need for a mindset shift from a cautious, risk-averse approach to one of bold, decisive action. Higgins suggests that by eliminating safety nets, you increase your focus and determination, which are crucial for overcoming obstacles. 3. Overcoming Fear: A significant portion of the book deals with overcoming the fear of failure. Higgins explains that fear often holds people back, and by removing escape routes, you confront your fears head-on, which can lead to growth and achievement. 4. Personal and Professional Growth: Higgins uses personal anecdotes and stories from successful entrepreneurs to illustrate how committing fully to a path can lead to remarkable growth, both personally and professionally. 5. Strategic Planning: While advocating for an all-in approach, Higgins also emphasizes the importance of strategic planning. It’s not just about jumping in without a plan, but about committing to a well-thought-out strategy and executing it relentlessly. 6. Resilience and Adaptability: The book highlights the importance of resilience and adaptability in the face of challenges. By not allowing yourself an exit, you are forced to adapt and find solutions, which can lead to innovation and success. Conclusion: “Burn the Boats” serves as a call to action for those who are serious about achieving their goals. It encourages readers to abandon half-hearted efforts and fully commit to their dreams, using the elimination of escape routes as a powerful motivator for success. ACCA ACCA North America

"If you want to make the wrong decision, ask everyone." It’s easy to fall into the trap of seeking opinions from everyone around you. But here’s the truth: too much advice leads to decision paralysis. I remember when I started my business, everyone told me it wasn’t going to work. “It’s too risky.” “You should stick to something stable.” “Are you sure you’re ready for this?” At first, all the noise made me second-guess myself. But the more I listened, the more I realized something: none of these people truly understood my vision. They weren’t in my shoes, and they didn’t see what I saw. That’s why, whenever I decide to start something, I don’t speak with too many people about it. I’ve learned to trust myself, lean on a few trusted voices, and tune out the rest. You don’t need everyone’s approval to move forward. You just need clarity, courage, and a few trusted voices to guide you. Stop asking everyone. Start trusting yourself. What’s the boldest decision you’ve made recently?

So proud to share that an article I wrote won a Milwaukee Press Club Award! I only learned of this when I visited the Daily Cardinal office and saw a stack of fresh awards. Curious, I flipped through to see who had won and what do ya know, I saw my own name! The award is for the Best Editorial or Commentary and it's for an article titled "On the passing down of knowledge and tradition in college." It's just me thinking about how people and their stories come and go, as well as what they leave behind. If you'd like to read it for yourself, you can do so here: https://lnkd.in/gzQSsAbc

As we start a new academic year, let's ponder a profound quote by James Baldwin: 'Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.' Baldwin’s writings often challenged societal norms and urged readers to confront uncomfortable truths. In our professional lives, this principle can drive innovation and growth. What challenges are you preparing to face in your career this week? #LeadershipDevelopment #MondayMotivation #JamesBaldwin

What’s possible when you finally recover your time and energy? Deal with the self-doubt that can hold you back? Handle the unconscious biases you may face on a day to day basis in your workplace? Getting those fundamentals in place is a necessary first step, as they were for a client of mine. Only then could we focus in on her real passion: To develop her thought leadership, extend her career network beyond her company and build her personal brand. We clarified her vision and values, and tapped into her Zone of Genius. From her vision, we needed to define and get really clear on the scope of her thought leadership. With that clarity, she could begin to develop and grow her niche. That, in turn, enabled her to identify the people she needed to connect with outside her organisation. People aligned with her vision, values and thought leadership niche. She now holds a global role in her company and has taken on board and non-executive director roles outside her company. If you’re excited to make a bigger impact by developing your thought leadership and personal brand, why not book a call with me to explore what’s possible for you? Link under my profile above.

You have thoughts. Some of these are probably good and interesting. You might wanna become a "thought leader." Gosh knows, benefits can accrue to that. Op eds can be a great way to ascend the mountain and gain cred. Fun fact: the original meaning of "op ed" is "opposite the editorial page," and has nothing to do with the word "opinion." 5 things that make an outlet want to publish your op ed text: 1) You write about something you are an expert on. 2) You follow an outlet's guidelines re length. 3) You tailor language to an outlet's audience and style. 4) You take a position - typically one that offers a new perspective that does not simply parrot conventional wisdom. 5) You tie the op ed to a "news peg". This means, your op ed relates to real -time news happenings. You might already be a revolutionary hero at op eds. You might not know shit about them. Either way we can definitely chat about this with you.

What a great article.

Summarily, we learned this week that books are a means of learning about different cultures and they help us see the world from our corner. Books help preserve history and culture as they are a good means of storytelling and bridge the gap between the past and the present. We have also seen that books influence our thought patterns and beliefs, particularly in the aspect of what we choose to pursue and the career path we take, as we have the privilege of learning from existing thought leaders in various industries and their trajectories. What was your favorite? read this week and what are your thoughts in that regard?