Belief is not simply about individual performance. It is an essential element of exceptional team performance. Shared belief empowers a team to operate at full capacity.

None of us can be successful alone . . . life is not an individual sport.

We achieve greatness through clarity and focus . . . we are stronger together. When we are aligned, working together we achieve more. Our collective effort, united by shared beliefs, takes us to another level.

Elite teams have elite levels of belief. Urban Meyer shares, “On a team, belief is a force multiplier. One man believes and the man next to him believes, and before you know it, it grows exponentially.”

Belief begins with you. It is up to you, through your actions, to share you beliefs. You model your beliefs; you must be intentional in your action.

I believe we have an elite team. I believe you – as an individual – are ready to be a force multiplier. We have shared beliefs; we have clarity and focus. We now have a simple decision making framework . . . E + R = O. By choosing to live our lives Above the Line – by winning the battle every day to be intentional, on purpose, and skillful – our beliefs turn into actions; we are part of a team. Individual performance isn’t enough – we must model, share, and multiply our efforts.

We’ve all felt those moments – the moment when a team has synergy – that moment when everyone is pulling in the same direction, on the same page, and working as one. We’ve experienced the moments when you just feel the energy . . . it’s an “inside” feeling that produce exceptional “outside” results. This comes from belief. The better we get at this work . . . the more we are operating in this “inside” belief to “outside” results world.

Reality . . . this morning is a huge does of reality.

Two weeks of sleeping just a little later, spending time with family and friends, and celebrating holiday traditions has abruptly come to an end. That alarm was like a bucket of cold water . . . it is back to our journey. It’s back to living our calling – to making a difference in the lives of children each and every day.

In my judgement, this is the hardest part of the school year. The time between early January and spring break is truly a grind. The cold weather, the holiday “let down”, and the long road ahead can become overwhelming. This is the time it is so important that we intentionally avoid BCD (Blame, Complain, Defend). Now is the time for our culture . . . for our values . . . to purposefully drive our behavior. We are stronger together; the work we do is too important for us to miss opportunities to shape the future.

Walt Disney said, “It’s kind of fun to do the impossible.” As teachers, administrators, bus drivers, and support staff we achieve the impossible every day. We ask you – in your 20 square feet – to Stand up & Own it, to Think we not me, and to live with a Passion for Growth.

Our work is difficult; we will face adversity and challenges. What is important is that we will stay focused, we continue to learn and improve, and we make the impossible, possible. We teach students to read, we guide students to reach higher, and we prepare students to be successful adults.

Our work isn’t easy; it’s too important to be easy. You have been chosen, trained, and empowered to shape the future for our students. You are the best of the best. Together, as a team, we get to accomplish the seemingly impossible.

Hilliard’s a great place to work and learn – let’s do the impossible together.

“In bad times and in good, I have never lost my sense of zest for life.” – Walt Disney

It starts with you . . . it starts with you managing your 20 square feet. It is personal; only you can control how you respond to the events you will face.

Other people notice your attitude, body language, and spirit. Your zest for life – your energy and enthusiasm – are contagious. When you are positive – in both good times and bad – your positive energy not only impacts your performances but it impacts the performance of the entire organization. Yes, without a doubt, leadership matters.

As a leader you are a multiplier. Your behavior creates the culture. When you are negative, you give permission for others to BCD. If you are less engaged or defeated, others will follow your lead. On the other hand, when you have a zest for life . . . when you have a positive energy . . . you create positive events for your team to experience.

My wish for you – be a positive force multiplier. Just as I seek opportunities to share my enthusiasm and passion, my hope is you will seek opportunities to do the same. In bad times and in good, people are watching. It’s not what you say, it’s your actions. People experience your leadership – make it the experience you want for them.

“Laughter is timeless, imagination has no age, and dreams are forever.” – Walt Disney

A world filled with laughter, imagination, and dreams – could you ask for anything more?

We are on a journey – a journey together to create the culture we want for our district. Our work with Focus 3 is designed to put a process in place to live our lives intentionally, on purpose, and skillfully. We must also be committed to each other . . . to the joys we experience together, to the imagination we celebrate, and to the dreams we build.

Leadership drives culture, culture drives behavior, and behavior produces results. Your leadership creates experience for others. So I ask you, what experiences are you creating?

Are you creating a world filled with laughter? Are you cultivating an environment that is filled with positive energy? Are you encouraging the imagination of those on your team? Are you a dream builder?

Honestly, this isn’t easy. Yes, it seems simple, but balancing laughter and accountability is hard work. Creating high expectations while cultivating imagination . . . dreaming while facing reality . . . our work requires intentional, skillful leadership. What we desire doesn’t happen by mistake. Great leadership takes work; it doesn’t happen by default. Great leadership is discipline driven.

It’s about building relationships, earning trust through experiences, and sharing your love for those with whom you work. Leadership is personal; it must be happening in you before it can happen through you.