Summary: One of my favorite ways to enjoy a long drive is by listening to podcasts or audio-books.<br> And I especially find biographies a helpful way to learn lessons about life and leadership.<br><br> Two audiobooks that I’ve enjoyed in my drives may sound like they have nothing in common: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Seabiscuit-American-Legend-Ballantine-Readers/dp/0449005615/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1511015622&sr=8-2&keywords=seabiscuit">Seabiscuit: An American Legend</a> by Lauren Hillenbrand and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Theodore-Roosevelt-Modern-Library-Paperbacks/dp/0375756787/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1511015722&sr=1-1&keywords=rise+of+theodore+roosevelt+edmund+morris">The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt</a> by Edmund Morris. <br> As vastly different as the stories of a horse and former President can be, I find that both of them are full of similarities in the kinds of challenges, risk, courage, and strategies necessary to achieve goals and dreams. As you think about your own school leadership, how can you take lessons from those around you (both in person and in history) to reflect on ways to keep growing and learning?<br> This week’s podcast is a recording from a <a href="https://vimeo.com/242128401">webinar series</a> I shared recently on Lessons in Leadership I pull from four different sources:<br> Part 1 – Lessons in teamwork from a champion racehorse<br><br> Part 2 – Lessons from leaning on one another<br><br> Part 3 – Lessons in leadership from Theodore Roosevelt<br><br> Part 4 – Using vacation to reenergize your school leadership<br> You can <a href="http://traffic.libsyn.com/principalmatters/PMP091.mp3">listen to the entire conversation here</a> or watch the <a href="https://vimeo.com/242128401">webinar video</a>, but below is a short summary of the points discussed:<br> Part 1 – Lessons in teamwork from a champion racehorse<br> Seabiscuit’s story is really a story of teamwork. Three unlikely men unify around a horse that surprised the world. In the process, you find some common traits that all great teams share.<br> Great teams…<br> * unify around a common cause<br> * turn unlikely prospects into surprising strengths<br> * know success requires risk<br> * value loyalty and trust<br> * translate dreams into actions<br> * build momentum through positive publicity<br> * know lost battles don’t equal lost wars<br> * know great defeats can lead to later victories<br> * know success is contagious<br> * leave great legacies<br> Part 2 – Lessons in growing from leaning on others<br> Just as we can learn from historic examples, we have the same opportunities to learn from others still within our reach. Growing leaders are those who look around them for feedback and examples.<br> By leaning on others, you can grow by:<br> * regularly connecting with your team members<br> * visiting other successful schools or organizations<br> * inviting outside experts into your school<br> * investing time into learning opportunities<br> Part 3 – Lessons in leadership from Theodore Roosevelt<br> The life of Theodore Roosevelt is both fascinating and controversial. Despite his hot temper and boisterous personality, her accomplished amazing milestones. The story of his early life gives examples of principles we should never underestimate in leadership development.<br> Never underestimate the:<br> * power of early education<br> * importance of timeless values<br> * effects of self-improvement<br> * value of Providence<br> * lessons learned from defeat<br> * influence of publicity<br> * outcomes of your focus<br> * modeling of courage<br> Part 4 – Using vacation to reenergize your leadership<br> Finally, as you may be stepping into some much-needed vacation during Thanksgiving and Christmas, don’t forget the importance of rest and self-reflection:<br>
