The Cardinal Way
Sharing the Stories of Southport High School
Leading and Learning: WE ARE IN THIS TOGETHER
Last week, I discussed differing opinions or ideas and how these can drive a wedge between people we focus on issues rather than putting or focus on people. This week, I want to share a critical component that helps us focus on people first. LISTENING.
Think about a recent disagreement with someone. Where was your focus during the conversation? Were you focusing on your thoughts or ideas about the issue, or were you focusing on understanding the other person? Here are some essential thoughts from Tim Kight about being a disciplined listener rather than an undisciplined one.
Undisciplined Listeners
- Undisciplined listeners think about some other priority, some different topics, that’s on their mind during the conversation.
- Undisciplined listeners spend time during the conversation pre-planning what they’re going to say and wait for the other person to stop (or just take a breathe) so they can interject their own story.
- Undisciplined listeners are running social commentary in their head about the person talking. They are thinking, “he always says this,” or “here he goes again.”
Discipline Listeners.
- Disciplined listeners control their focus during conversations. They shift from their opinions to what the other person is saying.
- Disciplined listeners manage their self-talk. They make sure their inner voice is not speaking about their ideas or agenda. A disciplined listener makes their self-talk curious about what the other person is saying. Your inner voice should be focused on clarifying to understand the speaker better!
To avoid conflict, especially in difficult times, we must make sure we listen to understand before we react. Irritation in others is usually more about your opinions rather than the event itself.
Stay safe, and take care!!
What it takes to #BeACardinal:
Grateful Friday Challenge
Week 29 Grateful Friday Challenge
Ummm… testing….testing… is this thing on? I think today is Friday, but this has been a crazy week. And it is only going to get… I wish I could tell you… crazier, scarier, more stressful? Those are things that are all out of our control. We can only do what we can do, and we need to realize, all of us, that we don’t have to be perfect online teachers and administrators. We need to be incredible people, leaders, guidance, and hope for the students that need us. They now realize how much they miss us. They are looking to us for a bit of normality to take their minds off of the stresses of the outside world. This is what we are trained for, not necessarily in this capacity, but this is our calling. We must reach out to kids and keep teaching them, letting them know that this is just temporary, but our belief in them and our want for them to be successful and to keep getting better is still strong, even though we don’t have face to face contact.
If you are like me, you are thinking about all of the end of school events that we are watching get canceled as days pass by and the date for getting back to the classroom gets farther and farther away. We have athletes who won’t get a final season. We are looking at the possibility of no Prom and even no graduation. But I came across the post below today from someone who has been there…
Let’s keep this all in mind as we prepare for the end of the year, even though this one is looking like no end of the year we have ever had. Our time will come to an end with the students we currently have- let’s make the most of it because they are worth it.
With banners flying as we go! #FlyAsONE
Be a Cardinal; Change lives; Put a mission into motion!
180 Days of Learning -- #CardsLearn
Work Pick-Up
Andy Ashcraft
Amy Boone
Mrs. Boone delivered the most amazing Professional Development session today in 267. It was too bad that only Blue from the Colts came to participate.
Brian Knight
New Record
Southport High School
Email: bknight@perryschools.org
Website: http://perryschools.org/sh/
Location: 971 E Banta Rd, Indianapolis, IN, United States
Phone: 317-789-4800
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SHSCardinals/
Twitter: @SHS_Cardinals