Energy Bus Rule #4:
Invite People on Your Bus and Share Your Vision for the Road Ahead
“A new school year is upon us and providing new challenges as we move forward. I challenge you to embrace this school year with a positive outlook, knowing that we, as a family, will succeed! Attached is a ticket for you to get aboard, if you are willing to increase your positive energy and make great things happen for our students and our community. If you are willing to join the ride, please print the attached ticket for “Positive Passengers Wanted.” Print your name on the back, and turn it in on the morning of Opening Day. The bus is started and ready to roll! If you are willing, Step Up, Get Aboard, and Enjoy the Ride!!!”
This is an email that I sent prior to the start of the 2015-2016 school year. The reason for the email is that all district employees had taken a 10% pay cut, which would begin during the 2015-2016 school year. My assistant principal, Doug Gloyd, and I knew that our vision would be to focus on the positives of being an educator. Mr. Gloyd had introduced me to The Energy Bus by Jon Gordon and we knew this was a resource we could use to guide our efforts.
Jon Gordon states, “If you don’t clearly communicate your vision for the road ahead no one will want to travel with you.” Our job was to share our vision and belief in the power of Positive Energy. We believed in what Jon Gordon shared, “As pessimism rises, performance decreases. You have to encourage optimism and guard against pessimism, or your team will suffer.” Fortunately, we had a staff that shared our vision and we have experienced many positive benefits.
Recently I had the opportunity to attend The Leadership Challenge workshop led by Mr. Tom Pearce and Dr. Rhonda Caldwell. One of the “five practices of exemplary leadership” is to “inspire a shared vision.” Share your vision for the road ahead and inspire others to join you on the road to success!
“Leadership is a transfer of purpose, passion, optimism, and belief.” – Jon Gordon
I am seeking Positive Passengers!
Access it here: http://www.jongordon.com/energybusticket-positivepassengers.html
Be sure to go to the Discussion Board and answer this month’s “Question for Discussion.”
Question for Discussion:
What steps have you taken to create a positive culture for your school/district?