Opening Readings &

Closing with Appreciation

There is more in us than we know. If we can be made to see it, perhaps for the rest of our lives, we will be unwilling to settle for less. ~Kurt Hahn

I have seen the the impact of opening a meeting or gathering with a reading and closing by appreciating individuals. Opening readings and appreciations lay the foundation for community.

The author of the quote above is the founder of Outward Bound. I have had the opportunity to partner with Ouward Bound and lead a school founded with the EL Education model. EL Education builds students’ capacity for three dimensions of high achievement: Mastery of Knowledge and Skills, Character, High-Quality Student Work (EL Education, 2023). My Master’s Thesis and Dissertation focused on EL Education and Outward Bound programs in K-12 school across the country and world.

While on course, Outward Bound instructors use a readings book to share an inspirational quote to frame a conversation. Over the years, I have used this tradition to open staff meetings or time with students. The reading above inspires my approach to leadership. Matt Church shared in his book Rise Up that the role of a leader to create a culture of learning and share new knowledge with those around them. If a leader is not doing this, they are simply managing.

I started a tradition many years ago to read Dr. Suess’ Oh the Places You Go on the last day of school. This is the opening reading for the final closing circle. The classic graduation text takes on meaning when high school students gather round seated on the ground like kindergartens. It is incredibly powerful to see students tear up as I read, knowing the many obstacles they overcame to make it to the last day of the high school career. It’s a rite of passage to sign the back of the book after the opening reading.

The last circle of the school year is similar to a weekly circle, ending with ‘appreciations’. This is a tradition where the facilitator would acknowledge students who ‘flagged in’ (putting their fist toward the middle of the circle) rather than raising their hand. Students would then share an appreciation for another student or a staff member. It was typical for students to share authentic appreciation for one another. This can be challenging for any group dynamic. Visitors to our circle would often share that they were blown away by how vulnerable urban students were. While students at other schools eagerly await the final bell, circles on the last day of school consistently run long. Seniors and younger students choke back tear as they authentically share the impact of the staff and peers.

There is more in you than you know. How can you bring out the best in others? Your opening reading and appreciations need not be to the level of a last day of school. I encourage you to use the Outward Bound tradition and consider sharing quotes to help frame conversations. This version of the reading book was created by instructors at the Baltimore Chesapeake Bay Outward Bound School to include voices that align with the lived experiences of students. You can also simply google quotes on a topic that is relevant to your organization or the purpose of the meeting.

Intentionally build community by bookending meetings or gatherings with an opening reading or quote and ending by appreciating individuals or a group. I appreciate that you took the time read my ideas and story!

Lead with Why

Creating Community, Culture, & Capacity

In 'Start With Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action' Simon Sinek (2011) provides The Golden Circle model of leadership to inspire others. The concept taps into the biology of how humans communicate. We respond best when the parts of the brain that control decision making, behavior, and emotion are engaged.

Sinek offers an innovative model that is contrary to the typical approach of an organization. Typically, the focus is on the what and how. Businesses focus on product or profits and the delivery model. Schools focus on student achievement or curriculum and instruction. Great organizations lead with why. It’s why we do the work that matters. How we accomplish the goals is secondary, with what we do falling into place.

Purposeful and authentic leadership creates community, culture, and capacity. Layering these two concepts brings direction for how to engage those you serve in any setting.

Community answers the question: why do the work? Community is defined by a group’s purpose, values, beliefs, and the people. Relevant are the relationship and connections with both the people and the purpose of the work. It is this shared interest and goals that remain at the center of decision making, communication and therefore leadership.

Culture speakers to the question of how. This includes norms, values, belief, expectations of others, rhythm, processes, and traditions. A group’s culture guides how people collaborate and interact. This is the way in which we live our life. We build culture to guide the way in which we work together.

Capacity is how much something can hold. Capacity refers to a person’s ability and capability. This directly relates to the ‘what’. What are you offering? This is the most simple of the three. Most every person, leader and organization knows what it is they do. The ‘what’ should fulfill the ‘why’.

A person’s capacity can vary depending on the season of life or even the situation. Jay Martini, a veteran school director, shared about this concept with a group of folks who were embarking on the journey of starting the school. Each person has a certain amount of capacity, represented by a jar he brought. A person’s responsibilities or commitments fill the jar. He added rocks into the jar to depict personal relationships and supporting a family. Slightly smaller rocks were added to represent a full time job. He noted that this was especially true for leaders. He then added pebbles as physical and mental health. Beads were added to represent any other responsibility a person may have. He then poured a glass of water into the jar which reached the top, almost spilling out. A person only has so much capacity. This concept helped me gain empathy for others.

Over the years as a school leader, I found myself thinking and sharing this approach with others. People only have so much capacity. A parent or colleague may have a broken down car or family member with major health concerns. This would be a big rock in their jar, perhaps causing the water to overflow. Being mindful of the rocks in jar can help prioritize and make life more manageable. Consider your capacity and that of others as you go about the ‘what’ of leadership.

The Golden Circles concept has been described as ‘inside out’, bring what matters most to the forefront. What is your why? How can you inspire the why in others or your organization? How can you increase your capacity and the capacity of others to fulfill the ‘what’? This powerful approach will engage your stakeholders and inspire toward a common purpose, creating a calling for change. I encourage you to be ultra clear on your why and start there.

If you’re interested to learn more, watch Simon Sinek’s brief TED talk. I would be honored to be a thought partner as you reflect on your why. Give a shout if you’d like to connect!

With appreciation,

Dr. Meg

Church, M. (2022). Rise up. Matt Church Pty Ltd.

Sinek, S. (2011). Start with why. Penguin Books.

Please give a shout if you’d like to connect!

meg@drmegcavalier.com

651-894-3357

drmegcavalier.com