in general.” What are the stories we can tell
as leaders that connect our people to the soul
and meaning of our work?
“There is no passion to be found in play-
ing small – in settling for a life that is less
than the one you are capable of living,” said
Nelson Mandela.
I believe one of the most important mes-
sages we should be giving everyone in our
organization is that no matter where they
are in the organization or hierarchy, their
contribution matters, what they do makes
a difference and who they are as a person
is valued. When we remind people of their
potential impact on the lives of our students
and community, and we shine a light on the
significance of that and the need to be in-
tentional because of that great responsibil-
ity, we remind them of the meaning in their
work. How can we use a story to underscore
the emotional connection to this concept?
All of us have a story from our own school
years or the school years of a loved one where
something someone did in that setting made
a lasting impact – that is the story that needs
telling.
20
Leadership
When I was a freshman in high school I
continued my quest to be invisible – only by
then I was 5’11” and even less able to fade
into the woodwork. One day, I was running
across the parking lot near the gym. I was in
a hurry, it was lunchtime and I was trying
to find a place in solitude to eat my brown
bag, home-packed lunch and read a book
and hopefully disappear for a short while
into another world. As I was seeking shelter,
someone called out to me from a car driv-
ing nearby. I turned around surprised to be
seen and addressed when, to my mind, it was
obvious I was invisible – or nearly so. It was
Mrs. B, a P.E. teacher and coach. Mrs. B
called me over and she told me she had rec-
ognized something in me and that I should
go out for the track team. I felt seen and I
felt special – for what seemed like the first
time in a very long time. By that one interac-
tion she launched me into a series of athletic
teams and endeavors that went on to shape
me and impact me in untold ways. Look-
ing back, I wasn’t special – I was just a kid
running across a parking lot. Mrs. B didn’t
know me or any special talents I held – but
she did have a sense of her own intent and
impact and with that she paved a way for me
to belong and contribute and have meaning
in my high school experience.
Abigail Adams once said “great necessi-
ties call out great virtues”. She believed in
our power to rise and we do that by action,
“Learning,” she said, “is not attained by
chance but is sought for with ardor and at-
tended with diligence”. The times and your
leadership are the current and great neces-
sity calling for your virtue and action. Being
a person of intent, willing to be vulnerable,
and sharing your story for impact and pur-
pose is the important work and it won’t hap-
pen accidently. Life is messy. Be vulnerable.
#BeBrave Tell your story. Tell the stories of
the individuals and teams in your organi-
zation. We rise and we lift others up when
we show up authentically and intentionally.
Let’s touch the future and make #HerStory.
Cindy Petersen is the Superintendent and
CEO of Gateway Community Charters