People who influenced my leadership style over the years did so because something they said impacted my thought process significantly and I saw first hand how they lived what they spoke.   One such leader was Dr. Mary Bracegirdle.  I was a young assistant principal and she was a Director of Middle School Education.  Dr. Bracegirdle was passionate about middle school students and the learning that took place for this age group.  Often she would say about the students, “They don’t care what you know until they know that you care.”

No matter your field or area of leadership, that statement will prove itself to be true.  You may be an incredibly knowledgeable leader, but if you don’t have relationships with those you lead, they really don’t care what you know or care to implement what you ask.  How then as a parent, a teacher, a leader can you create the environment that demonstrates that what you have to share is worth receiving?  First…