School Leadership Enthusiast Gifts

'Ms. Peters, hold all calls. I'm busy implementing yet another hastily conceived and unproven education innovation.'

"I would like to run for class president but the vetting process might disclose that I faked sleep during nap time in pre-school."

Businesswoman Empowerment

'You could be a constant inspiration for us to come up with a plan to get a leg up on our competition...you're hired!'

"I don't like getting bogged down in details. I'm more of a big-picture guy."

How leaders fail

"There's something weird about Emily. She actually likes school!"

"He's not really much of a leader...he just has a lot of followers."

"I can motivate everyone except myself."

"Hmmm ... that's interesting. Now, what about ideas that don't suck - do you have any of those?"

"The president demands that staff take responsibility for failures, and the multi-trillion deficit is down to YOU!"

"I'm sorry, but we're looking for someone who's more likely to be followed than following."

"Serendipity is not a strategy."

Feedback should be sought for genuine reasons, not because you want compliments. . .

'I give this one about three months...'

'I have been hearing some disturbing comments about you, Parker, some of your employees think you're a nice guy!'

'The ultimate sign of success is when no one puts you on hold.'

"C'mon people! All for me and me for me!"

Barack Obama's To Do list.

"How can I be a lead learner without the technology needed to lead?"

"Do you have a minute, Bob? I'd like to speak with you about the concept of 'leadership'."

'I delegate, then I follow up.'

"The GOOD news is that 94 people want to attend the leadership training, the bad news is that 64 of them want to change the venue, 56 the time and 45 want to be course leader."

Someone needs to tell him that having Churchillian leadership skills requires more than a 10'' havana

'...And for the low visibility positions we can bring people on board who can, you know...do things.'

The little engine that could delegate.

'I tried that approach once, but my employees seized the carrots and attacked me with sticks.'

'I like to greet the new team members myself.'

"I really love school. There's only one problem. I think not having a college degree is holding me back."

In addition to brilliant grades and perfect SATs � Parents' night. College admissions. Your child should excel at 3 sports and lead a school extra-curricular like the newspaper. Don't the arts count? Sure! If your child sings, for example � A part on 'Glee' or in the Metropolitan Opera would certainly help. Our kids are doomed.

"Leadership ISN'T just about trying to be BETTER than everyone else!"

'This is impressive, Roberts, but I'm not sure that it qualifies as work-place leadership.'

"The team needs LEADERSHIP, anyone have a view on that?"

'Long term I want student achievement to increase. Short time I want a cup of coffee and a biscotti.'

"Remember, Man of good Sense not here to do work on your behalf. Man of good Sense only here to help you on strategic level until you wise enough to overcome recession."