HELPING OTHERS PROMOTE EDUCATION

Yes, the acronym for the title is HOPE. Coaches keep hope alive. One of the primary roles of today’s leaders is go keep hope alive in our living systems. There are many forces, some intentional and some accidental, that are counter productive to being hopeful. We, as coaches, have a responsibility to speak in terms of possibilities rather than “oh, yes, it is bad and it won’t get any better.”

As Benjamin Zander (2000) states, in the Art of Possibilities, we have to be “relentless architects of possibilities.” I think that is what coaches do. We contribute to the thinking
and actions that lead to results. As I have said many times in workshops, “it all boils down to, if it isn’t working, try something else.”

Let me ask you a questions, does your conversations have a positive effect on the other person? I think that is the outcome we are looking for as coaches, friends, consultants, and family members. Ernesto Gore said, “Organizations are made of conversations.” What are the conversations you are having with other people? What kinds of conversations are embedded in the culture of your organization? Are they zapping, energizing and creating, or are they sapping, sucking energy out of people and projects?

Here are a couple of take away questions for you. What have you done to contribute to someone’s thinking during the past week? What have you done to help another person take a positive action to solve challenges? Are you creating hope for yourself and in others?

Here is a short way to remember to keep hope alive.

“H” is for honesty and humility. People trust others who are honest. Humility is also important. If we are not humble enough to say we don’t know or that there might be a better way, we stop looking for answers.. As Robert Pascale said, “Nothing fails like success.” .

“O” is for openness and options. People who are open to new ideas and feedback continue to learn. Looking for more options to learn, teach, and lead can move people and organizations to higher levels of performance.

“P” is for persistence and patience. This is an area where I have the most trouble. I can remain persistent when I have the passion for learning and performance. I will continue to battle my impulsivity. A former colleague gave me a note with “TTT” written on it. She told me after a meeting no matter how much I wanted something to happen, “things take time.” I still don’t like to wait and I know she is right.

“E” is for efficacy and enthusiasm. Efficacy is one of the best predictors of teachers’ influence on learning for students. As Charles Garfield wrote, it is a high predictor of peak performance I know we, in education, can’t do everything. AND you can do something. As leaders, people look to us for enthusiasm. Who wants to follow someone who is in the dumps or thinks things suck? Remember last December, “Get Up, Today is a Work Day!”

By Bill Sommers
Board Member

References:

Garfield, C. (1986). New York: Avon Books.

Sommers, W. (2007). Our kids deserve your best. Journal of Staff Development. Winter 2007, Vol. 28, No. 1.

Zander, B. & Zander, R.. (2000). The art of possibility. Boston: Harvard Business School Press.

TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES

NOTABLE QUOTES

"Most people sabotage their chances for achievement.
Why? Because they don't have a plan. You know the saying,
" if you fail to plan, you plan to fail."

"I find it fascinating that most people plan their vacations with better care
than they plan their lives. Perhaps that is because
escape is easier than change."
Jim Rohn

"Every evening, write down the six most important things that you
must do the next day. Then while you sleep your subconscious will work
on the best ways for you to accomplish them.
Your next day will go much more smoothly."
Tom Hopkins

"Planning is a real waste of time.... for those who waste time."
Doug Firebaugh

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