Why?

This past weekend I was able to travel to San Diego to attend Staff Developer Training for AVID. My specific strand was AVID Elementary: Leadership for Implementation. 

One portion of the syllabus that we reviewed included Simon Sinek's Ted Talk: How Great Leaders Inspire Action. If you have not taken a moment to watch this inspiring Ted Talk, take a minute. I have included the video below. 

How many times have you introduced yourself and included your professional title? I have personally introduced myself to colleagues numerous times as an elementary principal of a KN-5th grade building. Is that inspiring? Does that grow loyalty or drive success? Why do you suppose we identify what we do with a title? What if we identified what we do, starting with our why, then shared how and ended with what we do? 

Recently, this has also been a topic of conversation on Twitter and Voxer with my friends who participate in #leadupchat. Leaders Nathan Lang, @nalang1 and Jeff Veal, @heffrey have been leading participants to find their why. I encourage you to check it out! 

I close with sharing my "why". My hope is that it inspires you to develop and share your personal "why". 

"My name is Matt Arend and I want build a foundation within students that supports their ability to set and achieve goals they have yet to establish & help students understand their journey will include set backs and obstacles they must overcome; but with grit and perseverance students can fulfill their dreams. 

I do this through empowering teachers and students to be problem solvers and risk takers who are confident in failing forward. 

I am an elementary school principal for students in Kindergarten-5th grade." 

Be sure to share your why!