Leadership Lens: No, No, November

When my children were young, I remember reading them a book called No, No Noah. It was a fun reminder of a word we all learn early in life: NO! As adults, we sometimes forget just how important that little word can be. 

As we enter November, I propose a challenge for school board members: No, No, November! 

Let's say NO to conversations designed to divide us rather than unite us. 

• Say NO to distractions that pull our attention away from student achievement and the success of our schools.
• Say NO to personal agendas that compete with the collective goals of the board.
• Say NO to reacting before listening, assuming before asking, and criticizing without seeking solutions.
• And let's say NO to spending valuable time on matters that do not fall within our responsibilities as board members. 

Saying no isn't always easy, especially when emotions run high or outside pressures are strong. However, effective governance requires discipline, focus, and the courage to recognize what deserves our attention and what does not. 

Every time we say NO to something that distracts us from our purpose, we create more room to say YES to something that matters. 

So, this November, let's be intentional about what gets our time, energy, and attention. Our students deserve nothing less. 

Janice Stockman
AASB Director of Leadership Development