Let go of who you think you’re supposed to be; embrace who you are. – Brené Brown

In one of my early administrative positions a colleague used to call me “Sparky.” Nora Kay jokingly used this nickname with me because I was always creating fires by challenging the status quo. I was in my first building principal position; the expectation was we would do things the way they had always been done.

During my career, with age and experience, I have learned to be more intentional with my approach to change, but I am still me. My least favorite phase is still “we’ve always done it that way.” I am wired to evaluate processes and seek a better way. I am willing to try, to fail, and to learn. I have little patience for pessimism and I am the eternal optimist.

Don’t let other people define you. As a leader, know yourself, your values, and your inner core. Listen to those you respect – they know you. Tune our those who aren’t in the arena with you; embrace who you are.