June 28, 2007
Moving to New Blog Site
Folks,
This is my last post with the Center for School Leadership Development. I've been honored to have had the chance to work with many of you in various roles over the past 5 years.
You can continue reading and "joining the fray" by going to my new blog site, Your Executive Edge. The URL is listed at the bottom of this post.
Best to you and I look forward to continuing the conversation, finding and sharing tips and tools to help you become even more effective.
http://yourexecutiveedge.wordpress.com/
Posted by chitch at 9:00 AM | Comments (0)
June 14, 2007
Next to Last Posting?
This post is difficult. Last week, I submitted my resignation as the Principal Fellows Director. Starting July 9, I will be working with Kenan Flagler Business School's Executive Development team. I will be working with another terrific group of people to design and deliver leadership development to the members of the United States Military and the Federal government.
It's bittersweet (or as my terrific program coordinator, Caroline Green noted, "Parting is such sweet sorrow") to write this because I've enjoyed being able to bring some different and hopefully interesting management and leadership tidbits to school executives in NC and around the world.
My initial thought is to continue "the conversation" on another blog that I'd be glad to share with you (just send me an email by July 1st), but another real possibility is just putting the blog on hiatus until further notice. The folks at the Center have been very accomodating so all is good on this end.
Some ideas that I have heard from some of you that interest me (hopefully you as well!?) are continuing the blog in a different part of the web or possibly doing what could be the ultimate in collaboration (writing a book collaboratively on the web and then publishing it in either hard copy or as an e-book). Inspiration for the last idea comes from the "Big Moo", for those who might be interested. We did a similar book with a high school senior, who interned with me this past fall and he and I ended up writing a book of selected Principal Fellow Profiles. As an aside, he told me that the book was a powerful differentiator for him in his college admissions. He's going to pursue journalism at Campbell University. Best of luck, Eric!
What's cool about this book idea is that we could tap into the expertise of many of the school executives around this state who have great ideas and solutions for pressing issues. I'm certainly not trying to make money off of this-any proceeds would go to charity. I'm interested to see if this idea has any merit to help school executives become even better in their work.
I'll write another post or two in the coming two weeks to let you know what I'm thinking. Let me know what you are thinking as well!
Chris
Posted by chitch at 3:01 PM | Comments (0)
April 6, 2007
Presentation Keys
This past week, I've been honored to have the opportunity to work with 51 outstanding school leaders who have been leading some very challenging schools. We've been working with them since July of this past year. PEP's partnership with the Kenan Flagler Business school was an invaluable success with one particular part of the program, a capstone project where they had to develop a program plan to solve one of their challenges. Their "final exam" was to deliver a 15 minute presentation to the group. I'll talk more about this next week, but I ran across this blog from Guy Kawasaki (the former Apple evangelist) who now has his own blog that I read weekly.
He had a terrific post on the 10/20/30 rule. I'll be sure to keep using his wisdom with my presentations. As another great post on presentations, check out Michael Hyatt's blog on preparation.
Chris
Posted by chitch at 4:57 PM | Comments (1)
March 31, 2007
Using the Calendar as a Monitoring Tool
One of the techniques I am using to monitor the various projects I am working on is to simply put them as a banner in my electronic calendar. To do this, I simply put the name of the project in the heading and put the due date of the project in the location.
If somebody else is the point person on the project besides me, I put their name or intials in parentheses after the due date. For example, I may put "Write Blog Posting" in the heading and put 4/7/07 in the location (Chris)
In the notes section of the appointment, I'll jot down any notes or progress notes with the date noted to help keep me on track for a long term project. Again, if someone else is leading the project, I use this section to track the progress of the project from my conversations with the project lead.
Try it out and let me know what you think.
Chris
Posted by chitch at 9:40 PM | Comments (1)
March 23, 2007
Leader Talk Blog by Scott McLeod
This past month, I was approached by Scott McLeod at the University of Minnesota to participate as a monthly blogger for his blog
Leader Talk has bloggers from across the globe, all focused upon the topic of educational leadership by educational leaders.
I'm humbled by the opportunity to be a part of this.
My blog entry is Out of The Sandbox.
Scott's doing a great service and facilitating reach for educational leaders. If you are intrigued by the idea of blogging but not sure how you as a school executive can make use of blogging-see how many of the contributors use blogging as a communication tool-almost like a "reference-able" electronic newsletter to faculty and the community.
Posted by chitch at 10:08 PM | Comments (1)
March 16, 2007
Three Great Lessons on Email Management
You've heard me rave before about Michael Hyatt and his blog.
This past month, he posted three different blog entries on getting on top of one's email.
Check them out.
Now I gotta go back and use his lesson two:read-decide, read-decide, read-decide.
Chris
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Posted by chitch at 8:22 PM | Comments (0)
March 4, 2007
Stopping PowerPoint Abuse
I ran across this link a week ago while working on ways to improve my presentation skills. It's from BNET.com, which is a pretty terrific aggregator of management information written in a short concise style. This link talks about how to use presentation software (focused on PowerPoint, but it fits for any presentation software that you and I use.
I especially like tips 3, 5, and 6.
If you do a lot of presentations or want to get better, I'd suggest also that you look at Beyond Bullet Points, by Cliff Atkinson.
Posted by chitch at 4:09 PM | Comments (0)
February 18, 2007
Power of the Dash (updated)
In one of my earlier posts, I commented on the power of the dash, by Patrick Rhone.
After using it for the past 3 months, I've come across a way that makes it more effective for me-will share for you and you can take it for what it's worth.
I find that when I take notes and have an action item to do, I end up putting a small circle in the margin. When it is time for me to take action, I'll then put the dash in the middle of the circle. If I have delegated it to someone else, I'll transform the dash to a left pointing arrow with the initials of the person I've delegated it to.
When the item has been completed, I then make a vertical hash inside the circle where there ends up a circle with a plus sign inside of it.
Posted by chitch at 11:06 PM | Comments (0)
February 12, 2007
Using Calendar Banners as Follow Up Tools
Almost every electronic calendar has banner capabilities. I've started using the banners to follow up on items and projects that are important for me to track. I'll put the project name in the banner title along with the end due date for the item. For example, I'll put "PFP Enrichment Seminar (2/16/07)" in the banner. I'll then insert any action items/tasks that are associated with the project in the notes section, along with the due dates and who is responsible for each of them. When the day comes up, I check the banner and walk around, call, or email the people that are involved in the tasks due that day and check up on them.
If you run a paper based calendar or file system, you can use a similar technique with file folders. Simply create a file folder with the project name and due date on it and include it in your action files or your 43 file folders.
Helps keep me focused. Try it and let me know what you think.
Chris
Posted by chitch at 12:35 PM | Comments (0)
January 20, 2007
Getting the most out of your technology
This morning's paper had an article on how to get the most out of your technology tools. I've been guilty of most of their mistakes and their three questions on using a digital organizer make a lot of sense:
1-ask a critical question-"What am I trying to accomplish?" The more specific it is, the easier it will be to find a digital tool to help you accomplish the goal.
2-focus on today-the tool you buy today will be outmoded in 6-12 months (it's just the nature of the beast so focus on what you will get out of it right now.-if you want more on the fast changing nature of technology, google "Moore's law" and see what you come up with
3-Give it a time trial. Give it a set time to prove itself-if it doesn't do what you want, ditch it and move on. Most software programs have a worry free time trial.
If you want to read more of their columns (Adobe Acrobat required for viewing), check them out here.
Posted by chitch at 12:17 PM | Comments (0)
January 14, 2007
Email Rules #1 & 2-Need to know vs Nice to know and To vs Cc
Like you, I'm trying to stay on top of my email inbox. I'll list two "rules" that I'm trying to follow to help stem the email overload.
Rule #1 One of the tips I try to use is to reduce the number of people on the email distribution. I try to use the "need to know" vs. "nice to know" rule. I try to not put a person on the email list if it is simply a nice to know email.
Tip #2-To vs. Cc.
I assume that people understand the distinction between "to" and "cc" on an email. Yet in my discussions with people both in my work and my "other" life with the church and volunteer activities, I find out that many people either do not know or have forgotten the difference between the two. It's understandable in many cases-email as we know it has only been around for 10 years, a relatively short timeframe in which a communication medium has become widespread. If a person is on the "to" line, I'm expecting either action or sharing with them because they need it in their work. If it is on a "cc" line, I don't expect any action, but simply am keeping them informed because they "need to know" the information for their work.
Posted by chitch at 3:49 PM | Comments (0)
December 16, 2006
Building and Cultivating Your Network of Mentors
Barry Zweibel (from GottaGettaCoach) wrote this short article on how to build and cultivate your network of mentors in the Wall Street Journal's Career Journal.com.
Chris
Posted by chitch at 11:01 AM | Comments (1)
December 10, 2006
Blogs I Pay Attention To
Now that I am paying a bit more attention to different blogs, I thought it would be some use to share which blogs I read regularly and what each blog's focus is.
David Maister: Maister (pronounced May-ster) is the preeminent expert on professional service firms.
Tom Peters: Tom (same guy who wrote In Search of Excellence 25 years ago) is another professional service firm expert whom I find as a terrific bookend to Peter Drucker (he has said that he doesn't like the comparison but...). In my view, Drucker outlines "WHAT" excellent executives do, Peters outlines "HOW" to do it. Peters is irreverent, smart-alecky, and consistently spot on.
Bob Sutton: Sutton is a relatively new expert for me to follow. He has written several books on organizational dynamics and innovation. His blog focuses on design. I'm coming to better understand how designing (rather than "structuring"-semantics matter) programs and services helps people to use them more effectively.
Michael Hyatt: Mr. Hyatt is a sometimes blogger. He is the CEO of Thomas Nelson Publishers and writes From Where I Sit. It's intended for an internal audience, but this gentleman is INCREDIBLY transparent and gives a tremendous perspective.
Guy Kawasaki: Kawasaki is a former Apple employee (I think he headed up the Macintosh Product team), who has gone solo-his thoughts on design and work make me think.
Merlin Mann: Merlin's blog is one that focuses on individual productivity. It has a Mac bias on some of his postings but the ideas help me tremendously.
These are the folks that make me think. Check them out.
And PLEASE send me some ideas on some other thought leaders.
Posted by chitch at 10:25 AM | Comments (4)
December 6, 2006
Google Alerts
I've been using Google Alerts for about 3 months now. I learned about them from Dr. Jim Johnson at the UNC Kenan Flagler Business School. Essentially, you have Google serve as a research assistant for you to learn the latest information on your clients, opportunities, specialized topics, colleagues/competitors/partners, and your organization or school.
Keith Ferrazzi notes how easy it is to use:
It's very simple to use.
Just go to http://www.google.com/alerts.
Enter the name you want alerts for.
Select how often you want the alerts.
Enter your e-mail address, and you're done.
I'm exploring ways to use it-Ferrazzi suggests that you use it when something great happens for a client, mentor, or friend it's good to ping them with a congratulatory call or e-mail immediately after it happens.
What are some ways you can see using Google Alerts?
Posted by chitch at 4:34 PM | Comments (1)
November 14, 2006
Escaping from PowerPoint Purgatory (part 2)
An earlier post on PowerPoint Purgatory noted some suggestions on improving your PowerPoint slides. Worked with a client this week who was trying to put together a presentation for a group and he had over 120 slides (which he agreed was too much). He wasn't ready to go to a complete version of pictures and wanted to start by just cutting down on the number of slides and words on the slide. After some time together, r we came up with some "rules" for his presentation:
1-What do you want to accomplish with the presentation?
2-Who is the audience?
3-No more than 12 words per slide
4-Remember it is NOT an art project or movie-the transition effects are a distraction, not a help
5-What 3-5 questions will they want answered?
6-What are your answers?
THAT is your PPT presentation.
Posted by chitch at 8:28 AM | Comments (0)
October 24, 2006
Rick's Rule of Three with Email
One of my good friends and colleagues is Rick Adamson, the COO of American Research Institute. In our previous work together, there were several instances of emails that would get answered back and forth until there were 6 or 7 threads to the original email content.
Rick implemented his "rule of three". Rick's rule of three simply said that if it took three email threads or bounce backs, then the two (or more) individuals stopped using email and either used "sneaker net" (walking to another cubicle or office) or picked up the phone to call, get clarification, and resolution.
Pretty simple, but VERY effective rule.
Thanks Rick.
Posted by chitch at 10:18 PM | Comments (0)
October 16, 2006
43 File Folders as a time management tool
This past week, I worked with a group of principals on some lessons I've learned about time management. One of the most effective tools I've used is the concept of the 43 file folders. The idea has been around for some time, but the basic idea is to have 31 file folders (I use hanging file folders), numbered 1-31, plus 12 additional file folders (January-December). You simply drop in the hard copies of the papers and actions you need to get done that day, pick up the file folder and work through the folder on the appropriate day.
This setup saves me LOADS of time and effort and cuts down on the worries of "when is this due?"
What other time management tips have worked for you?
Posted by chitch at 5:18 AM | Comments (0)
September 26, 2006
The Power of the Dash
I'm always on the lookout for ideas to better manage my time. I've come to the conclusion that it is always a work in progress. Last week, I ran across a terrific post by Patrick Rhone on time management and workflow processing. One of his tricks that I've started using is the power of the dash. (go about half way down the post to see a picture of it). Whenever he takes notes in a meeting or in a one on one discussion, he puts a dash (-)to the left to signify that there is an action that needs to be completed. When he completes the action item, he simply puts a vertical line, making it a plus sign (+). If he has delegated it to someone else or is waiting for someone, he transforms the dash into an arrow. If he needs to carry it forward to another page, he puts a circle around it.
I've been using this for a week now and find that it really helps me stay on top of things. To help me remember, I've put it on a sticky note and move it to the first blank page each day until I've got it in my mind.
Posted by chitch at 8:05 AM | Comments (0)