In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock. -Thomas Jefferson

There are times following the crowd, going with the flow, is a proper course of action. We live in ever changing times. Our modes of communication change rapidly. We utilize new Apps, we listen to new music, and shop in the trendy stores. In matters of style, following the crowd offers comfort and ease.

Our core principles, the values that are dearest to us, are not subject to societal trends. Our foundational beliefs must be steadfast and firm. The fabric of our clothing is subject to change, the fabric of core beliefs is unwavering in the pressure of public opinion.

It’s often difficult to be resolute in the face of opposition; but it is required of us to be true to ourselves. We build committed relationships with others, we strengthen the bonds of trust, when others know we are principled and discipline.

Don’t get caught swimming with the current when your principles are in question. Stand like a rock and do what is required of you.

Honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom. – Thomas Jefferson

Wisdom is the ability to both think and act using experiences, skills, and judgement. To be wise, one must intentionally act with prudence and common sense. Wisdom has a connotation of judiciousness, pause, and discipline.

Wisdom, the discipline to synthesize knowledge and experience to do what is required, begins with honesty. One must first be true, be honest with oneself. Second, one must be principled in our dealings with others. For one can’t be wise without also being truthful. One can’t be ethical without first being honorable.

In your dealings with others, be honest and trustworthy. Stand up and Own the difficult conversations, speak the truth, and speak with sincerity of purpose.

Magic isn’t made with pixie dust. Magic is created through hard work. –

Disney Institute

Walt Disney World lives it’s mission to be “the most magical place on earth.” For Disney employees, the magic you experience as a guest at the Magic Kingdom isn’t the result of Tink’s pixie dust. The magic at Disney is the result of intentional and purposeful work. The attention to detail and commitment to excellence at Disney is unparalleled in almost any organization. From the smallest details, Disney knows what it takes to “bring the Magic” each and every day.

Are you committed to lead a magical organization? Too often we search for that magic pixie dust; we find ourselves seeking shortcuts to greatness. The journey to elite is only achieved through one way – it’s only earned with our hard work. Don’t seek Tinker Bell’s pixie dust . . . create Disney’s enthusiasm to do the work.

The most important characteristic of a leader is optimism. – Bob Iger

Optimistic leaders are the catalysts for positive culture. When a team, any team, is optimistic it performs at a high level. When leaders use fear, the overall performance of the team is limited. When leaders use optimism, the overall performance of the team is limitless.

In your mind’s eye think about a time when you’ve been cynical or negative; your team was almost certainly influenced by your negative vibes. It’s not about what we say; it’s about how we act when it counts . . . when the pressure is on. It’s easy to be optimistic in calm waters . . . it takes intentionality to be optimistic during the storm. Act with purpose, press pause to gauge your own behavior, and be a purposeful optimist. The people you work with will benefit from your discipline.

I’m not an overachiever. I’m an over-believer. – Dabo Swinney

Achieving success isn’t luck or chance. Success is earned through hard work and dedication. Success is the result of intentional practice and preparation. When someone describes an “overachiever,” they are often describing someone who is closer to maximizing their skills through elite effort.

When we believe we will be successful, when we commit to doing the work, we earn success. The belief in ourselves and confidence in our preparation sets us apart. If you aren’t committed, if you don’t believe during the preparation, your achievement won’t match your skill. When you over-believe you maximize your potential and earn success. Do you believe in the work you are doing? Are you building skill through your passion?

Ultimately, being a positive leader is all about leading with faith in a world filled with cynicism, negativity, and fear. – Jon Gordon

We live in a hyper-negative world. Our current culture seems to have institutionalized hate and intolerance. It’s become acceptable to counter different opinions with name calling; it’s become commonplace to use fear as a divisive tool. Our world is filled with cynicism, negativity, and fear, demands positive leadership.

Positive leaders do not accept the status quo. Positive leaders act with purpose to build a better culture. Leaders who intentionally lead with optimism and hope inspire positive emotions in others. Positive leaders create positive culture . . . they get better results.

Don’t fall into the negativity trap. Don’t blame others, complain about your circumstance, and defend the status quo. Be a positive leader . . . change your world for the better.

“Listening is a mental discipline. Listening problems are often caused by lack of attention.” – Tim Kight

Leaders listen . . . it’s plain and simple. Leaders take the time to actively listen to their constituents and their team to understand what is required. Listening to others is an active, mental discipline.

One of my struggles as a listener is my desire to solve a problem, or communicate an idea, before someone else has even completed a thought. I often struggle with partial listening, with permitting my mind to get too far ahead of the conversation. It takes intentional reflection for me to focus on my personal weakness . . . but this is clearly a discipline that requires my attention.

Are you an active listener? Do you permit your attention to wander as you process partial conversations? As you engage friends, family, and colleagues today, be intentionally in your listening and purposeful with the attention to pay to the entirety of a conversation.

“Pride is always hungry and must always be fed. Humility sustains itself.” – David Jeremiah

We are committed to educating the whole child. Our work focuses on a balance of academic and life skills. Our district has hired a Director of Student Well-Being. We know that mental health issues are a paramount concern in our society today. It is imperative that we accept the responsibility to emphasize humility and empathy in our students.

Social media, the pressure to always outwardly emphasize the perfect image to our peers and society, overemphasizes narcissism and selfishness. When we feed the social media beast, we create a never ending cycle. We post those “perfect pictures” . . . we become braggadocios . . . then we must one-up the last picture.

Let’s focus on empathy, humility, and teamwork. When we embrace our values, our Power of the Team, we celebrate successes together, learn from failures with support, and instill pride in true accomplishments rather than shallow events.

“Character is the cornerstone of trust. Before you can lead others, you must first manage yourself.” – Tim Kight

We all know and work with people who say the right things, but when events happen, when things get tough, they do the easy thing. None of us want to be “that person” who has strength of conviction, but weakness in actions.

We earn trust when people know, when they experience, both the depth of our values and the strength in our action. We inspire trust in others when they witness our values in the face of adversity and our behavior in times of stress. We even earn the respect of those with different opinions when we intentionally model our values in our daily lives.

Know your purpose . . . live it through your actions. Be intentional in actions and look at each event in your life as an opportunity to Step Up and Makes a Difference. Other will experience your character through your behavior.

“Courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point.” – C.S. Lewis

It is easy to live your virtues when things are going well. It is easy to express your values when you are with people who agree with you. It is difficult to live your values in challenging situations or when you are with those who disagree with you.

We live in an instant gratification world. We live in a time when “going with the flow” is often encouraged and seeking the “quick fix” is celebrated. Our virtue demands that we live our values – even in the face of opposition. We value diversity of thoughts and commitment to purpose. This requires that we do the work; it stipulates that we embrace the productive discomfort of doing the right thing . . . even at the testing point.

Have the courage be true to your core values in the face of opposition, face opposition with civility and fidelity of purpose, and be intentional at each testing point you face.