It's Not About "I"

The Texas Association of Community Schools Executive Director, Barry Haenish, shared the following story with me.

On a flight to Dallas a few years ago I read an interesting article in the Southwest Airlines magazine. It was titled, “Brag Like Jefferson”. The author mentioned that in his school years he had learned that Thomas Jefferson was the third President of the United States and that he had authored the Declaration of Independence. But later in life he learned that during Jefferson’s lifetime he never publicly touted his role in the drafting of the Declaration of Independence. Intrigued, the author began to study more about the life of this man and learned that even when he was campaigning for the Presidency, most voters had not a clue about Jefferson’s crucial role in writing the foundational document for America’s freedom! Jefferson’s attitude was not based on modesty as much as it was on the fact that in his mind, the Declaration of Independence was selling an idea; it was selling America; so America got the credit!

This discovery only fired a hunger in the man to learn more and more. For instance, he learned that when the draft of the document was completed, Jefferson submitted it to a review committee, and he accepted all of the suggestions the committee offered to improve the document – even the ones with which he disagreed. Jefferson made the changes because he already knew what Jim Collins revealed to us in his book GOOD TO GREAT, that nothing great is accomplished alone. Jefferson knew instinctively that you must first “…get the right people on the bus, and then get them into the right seats before you figure out where to drive the bus.” For this document Jefferson knew that the review team members were the “right” people if the Declaration of Independence had a chance of being sold to the citizens.

Jefferson never considered the Declaration of Independence to be “his”. It was the nation’s document! The ideas expressed were bigger than one person, so others were included in the editing to make sure that its ideas were inclusive and perfect.

Sometimes humility and hard work can create a nation. Many will argue that these characteristics will always build a strong team and a successful school.

As I read this short story I could not help from reflecting on how this applies to our mission providing education and opportunities for our students.  Just think of the synergy that may be created if our school leaders have the courage and confidence to provide our instructional staff with choice and voice.  More importantly, think of the possibilities if our instructional staff develops the skill set and conviction to empower our young people with choice and voice.

Have a great day…. unless you choose otherwise!

Sonny

Joke of the Day:

How do you make a tissue dance? (Scroll Down For the Answer)

You put a little boogie in it!