Summary: <br> In the book <a href="https://www.amazon.com/David-Goliath-Underdogs-Misfits-Battling/dp/0316204374">David and Goliath (Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants)</a> by Malcolm Gladwell, the author presents two ideas in the introduction of his book.<br> <br> <br> <br> <a href="https://williamdparker.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/giantmap.jpg"></a><br> <br> <br> <br> First, he says that much of what we consider valuable in our world arises out of ‘lop-sided’ conflicts – the act of facing overwhelming odds creates moments of greatness and beauty. Second, he says that we consistently get these conflicts wrong. We mis-read them. “Giants are not what we think they are” (page 6).<br> <br> <br> <br> This reminds me of the ‘Bull fight’ story from another book by Tim Elmore who says, “If those bulls knew that the little red cape was not their real enemy, and began to pursue the real enemy, that little matador wouldn’t have stood a chance” (<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Pivotal-Praying-Connecting-Times-Great/dp/0785264833/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=pivotal+prayer+by+Tim+elmore&qid=1611109260&s=books&sr=1-1">Pivotal Praying</a>, page 107). <br> <br> <br> <br> This week my guest Principal Samantha Batrom shares the lessons she has been learning while facing unexpected giants in her own school leadership journey.<br> <br> <br> <br> Meet Samantha Bartrom<br> <br> <br> <br> <a href="https://williamdparker.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/samanthabartrom-1.jpg"></a><br> <br> <br> <br> Samantha Bartrom is the Principal of Coastal Academy High School, a charter school, serving students in grades 9-12. Her school is located in San Diego, California. Prior to becoming a Principal, Samantha served as an Assistant Principal, Director of Student Leadership, Writing Specialist and 6th grade teacher. She also has experience supporting military families through previous work for the Department of Defense. Also known as the “Power Lifting Principal,” Samantha enjoys competing as a powerlifter. Samantha is also a member of the Principal Matters Mastermind.<br> <br> <br> <br> WDP: Can you think of a time where you have faced an enormous ‘giant’ to later find out what you were facing was something much different or more meaningful? If so, can you share that story and lesson?<br> <br> <br> <br> Samantha: Let me take you on a walk down memory lane. A couple of summers ago, I just returned from a trip to Europe. My chief executive officer came to see me. He wanted to know about my trip. I told him about Postano, Italy. And then he asked me to prepare myself to channel those favorite memories into an unforeseen challenge. The summer renovations to my current building had not gone well, and we were not going to be able to begin school in my building. We were two and half weeks away from the start of school, and we needed a backup plan. <br> <br> <br> <br> We had about 400 students who needed a home for school to begin. We ended up finding space at a nearby convention center in the San Diego area. QLM has large meeting rooms for conferences. I stood and looked at the enormous space with no walls, desks, white boards or technology. I was at a crossroads: delay the start of school, or make this work.<br> <br> <br> <br> I was able to gather other directors from our organization. This giant was too big to face alone. We stood in the space and imagined what could we accomplish. Two days before school began, we brought students to campus to meet. Imagine walking into a huge convention room that looks like a maze. We were able to turn that space into a school. Once we made it through that orientation day, I knew we could make it work for the start of school.<br> <br> <br> <br> WDP: What unexpected outcomes did you experience from conquering this ‘giant’ of moving your entire school?<br> <br> <br> <br>
