EPISODE 157

Are you focusing on the “means” more than the “ends?”

Biggest Takeaways You Don't Want to Miss:

  • Sometimes we spend so much time and energy trying to solve a specific problem that we lose sight of our bigger vision and goals. 
  • Leaders chase solutions to the symptoms of their biggest challenges. Builders take time to understand the root cause of their challenges so that they can eliminate them once and for all. 
  • Don’t confuse your immediate objective for your long-term vision. What may be a problem right now will likely not be your biggest concern 3 years from now.
  • Take time to consider what is the ultimate result you want for students and focus your efforts there. That’s your true vision.

We've all heard the saying, "The ends justify the means," but in education, I think we've gotten that backwards. For so many of us who were trained as leaders, we tend to overly focus on the means as if they WERE the ends.

That's why in this episode, we're going to tease out the distinction and look at ways that we often get distracted by our tactics and totally miss the point of the work we do. Then, we'll spend some time discussing how you can keep from getting so caught up in your tactics that you lose sight of your vision and how you can get yourself back on track #LikeABuilder. 

Check out these highlights:

  • Why focusing on a program can actually distract you from your ultimate vision.
  • How trying to solve a specific problem can actually take your eyes off your bigger goal.
  • When to determine when you need to STOP doing something -- even if it looks like it’s working.
  • Ways you may be unintentionally neglecting your vision even though you’re very busy working on it.  
  • Why your vision is bigger than a particular program, tactic, or strategy.  
  • How to determine whether you are solving a symptom or the root cause. 
Links mentioned in this episode:

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