Leaders are always looking for a new model — a new approach to advancing a mission and vision of an organization. Many of us go to the leadership section in our local bookstore on a regular basis, anticipating new arrivals. We go to conferences and listen, take notes and dream of ways to implement new approaches with hopes that we will be received with open hearts and minds. The thing with new ideas is that it's kind of like buying a new treadmill. The treadmill doesn't work unless you plug it in and use it. I think leadership ideas and models are similar: We buy the books, listen to the material and realize, "This is going to be way too hard."

I've been involved with three different turnaround opportunities within K-12 schools. Some of the problems were financial, some were leadership and all were an overall decline in the quality of the school. But what I learned is that whether you are trying to come out of a crisis or continuing to lead at the highest level, there are some basic foundational approaches that can really be helpful. Before I list these out, I want all of you to know that I am not egotistical enough to develop a model around my last name — it just happened, I promise! :)

Simplify: Those who are leading should never try and be overcomplicated in what they are saying to their followers. Leaders can have the greatest charts, diagrams and spreadsheets in their office, but once in public, make it simple for everyone to understand. Church leader Andy Stanley says, "I cannot promise 100% certainty, but I can promise 100% clarity." Make it simple. Start with the vision of the organization and take people there. From that point, you can walk them backward, but make it simple.

Participation: Leaders can't do it by themselves, but depending on what is happening within the organization, followers may not want to be involved. I often hear from parents who complain about the school not wanting parental involvement. I can imagine that is true. As much as we hear about having parents and families involved with schools, not many school leaders want to see that actually happen. That's crazy! Get your parents and families involved. Have your faculty and staff involved in volunteering (can the unions really object to that?). 

Empowerment: For me, empowerment means to begin growing and developing leaders within your school or organization. It costs schools and districts a lot of money to search for and train outside leaders. They need additional time to get to know the lay of the land. Leaders, find other leaders within the organization and begin to give these folks opportunities to grow, make mistakes and lead. It will be one of the best things a leader will do.

Celebrate successes — all of them, small ones, medium size, big, state-championship size. Whatever good is coming out of your organization, talk about it and talk about it loudly. This one is easy for me. I was voted "Most School Spirit" in high school and I tend to be a little biased for the school I lead. It doesn't take much for me to want to talk about my school, its vision and its long-term goals. I also love to celebrate with my faculty and staff about the successes that happen on a daily basis: a student who finally gets that math concept or an essay winner in the middle school. These are fun things to talk about and great things to motivate your employees.

Keep on going!! The turnaround process can be a long and weary road. But simplicity and clarity, participation from staff and stakeholders, growth of upcoming leaders and celebration of victories along the way makes it easier to keep going. Once the momentum train gets out of the station, you stay on and keep riding. The leader keeps being simple and clear. The leader keeps asking for participation and involvement. The leader keeps growing leaders. The leader keeps celebrating, cheering and motivating. The leader keeps on keeping on!

Those who find themselves in leadership, especially K-12 leadership, have a great job — maybe the greatest job. We get to work with kids and families. We get to be along side of great teachers and staff who devote their lives to kids. Let's raise our standards in leadership and see what happens. It might just be a spectacular result.