SUPERINTENDENTS

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SUPERINTENDENTS

• 27 WAYS TO STAY OUT OF
• TROUBLE
• Assembled By Robert E. Howe, Jr.

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1. PERCEPTION ISREALITY
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2. USE SMART GOALS

• S Specific
• M Measurable
• A Achievable
• R Realistic
• T Time Sensitive
• Adapted from Olga Holden, MASB

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3. MAINTAIN FOCUS

• Keep the Main Thing the Main Thing

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4. CREATE TASK FORCE

• Must have specific
• Mission
• Timeline
• Budget

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5. USE NO WEASEL WORDS

• Tell them what you WILL do
• What by when
• Not Attempt, Try,
• Expose, Pilot or Present Opportunities

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6. Remember - they are OUR Students and THEIR
Children
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7. ALL OF US ARE SMARTER THAN ANY ONE OF US

• IQ Test Five against One

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The Most Effective Styles of Education
Leadership Today Combines a BottomUp/ Top-Down
and Highly Inclusive Approach.
The School Administrator
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8. ALL THOSE AFFECTED BY A DECISION SHOULD HAVE
A ROLE IN MAKING IT

• Interview
• Survey
• Poll
• Task Force
• Committee

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9. NEVER VOTE

• Use Consensus
• Fist to Five
• Consensus Grid
• You Decide

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10. BASE DECISIONS ON WHATS GOOD FOR KIDS(or
least impacts them)
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11. TIME IS ON YOUR SIDE
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12. ALWAYS LEAVE YOUR BACK DOOR AJAR
Dr. Carl Holbrook
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13. THE ONLY CONSTANT IS CHANGE

• Changing Board
• Changing Budget
• Changing Political Environment
• Changing Demographics
• Changing Employees
• Changing Mandates
• Changing Needs

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Change is a Planned Journey in a Leaky Boat,
on Rough Seas, with a Mutinous Crew.
Michael Fullan
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The Rut Youre InWont Even Be Part of
the RoadNext Year.
Bob Howe
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14. HIRE TOUGH

• Dont take second best
• Dont let time be your enemy
• Never be too busy to do it Right
• Always, Always, Always check references

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15. WHEN IN DOUBT EVALUATE OUT!
Barbara Ruga
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16. ITS ALWAYS ABOUT THE PEOPLE NOT THE WORK
(People Quit People Before They Quit)
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17. A SINGLE PERSON DOES NOT A BOARD MAKE
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18. ONLY FIGHT THE BATTLES YOU HAVE TO WIN
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19. CONCENTRATE ON THE EDGES, NOT THE ENDS
Taken From Enlightened Leadership
Ed Oakley Doug Krug
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(No Transcript)
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20. IT IS ALWAYS EASIER TO ASK FOR FORGIVENESS
THAN IT IS FOR PERMISSION
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21. DOING THE RIGHT THING IS ALWAYS RIGHT
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22. WHEN PEOPLE SPEAK ILL OF YOU,LIVE SO NO ONE
WILL BELIEVE THEM
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23. IF YOU ARENT LEARNING,YOURE LOSING
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24. THE WORK IS NEVER DONE
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25. IF YOU DONT STEER THE SHIP, THE SHIP WILL
STEER YOU
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26. WHEN YOU THINK YOU HAVE IT BAD, VISIT
INTENSIVE CARE
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27. IF YOU DONT LOVE WHAT YOU DO DO
SOMETHING ELSE
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Superintendents are like Single Moms. They Have
to Be Everything to Everybody and Still Take Care
of the Children.

Larry Sykes
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Expecting the World to Treat You Fairly Because
You are a Good Person is a Little Like Expecting
a Bull Not to Attack You Because You are a
Vegetarian
Anonymous
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QUESTIONS??Thank you!Bob Howe Contact
Info517-927-5028 bob_at_memspa.org
bobhowejr_at_sbcglobal.net