The Energy Bus

1. The Energy Bus By Jon Gordon

2. My Background • Many years as a teacher and coach • MS principal • HS assistant principal • Director of student services • Superintendent of schools- Anamosa, IA • Consultant and state coordinator of SAMs in Iowa Dedicate session to Chris Kircher

3. Who’s Here? • Principals? • SAMS? • Central office administrators? • Higher Education? • Others? • Why does this topic interest you?

4. Bus as the Topic • School buses– direct connection to each of our schools • How many of you rode a school bus as a child? As an adult in a school district? • Funny stories of buses- my experience • Noises/energy in a bus– focus of this breakout

5. Positive Energy- Where it’s at! • Positive people and positive teams produce positive results, and the essential ingredient is positive energy. • How do me accomplish and maintain that in each of our schools during difficult times ( budget issues, increased accountability, more mental health issues, issues of safety, etc.) • SAM teams– The Right Work!

6. Context of the book • Flat tire- forced to take the bus (not happy about the situation) • Negativity was getting in the way of a lot of things • Driver of the bus– “this is no ordinary bus, this is MY bus and you’re going to enjoy the ride” • Everything happens for a reason- even flat tires. You can choose to look at those events as a curse or a gift

7. Everyone has Challenges • Bus driver– “everyone who gets on this bus has problems and challenges in their life” • 10 rules for the “ride of your life” • Rule #1: You’re the driver of your bus! • Take the wheel and change direction if need be

8. Rule #2 • Desire, vision, and focus move your bus in the right direction– clear and compelling vision (People want to jump on our bus) • Focus on what you want, not on what you don’t want (complaining, build on the strengths of others) • On the bus– “we’re winners, not whiners” • E+P= O (Events +Perception= Outcome)

9. Rule #3 • Fuel your ride with positive energy • Positive energy is necessary to take you where you want to go • Every day we have the choice between positive energy and negative energy • (Story of the two dogs inside)- p. 49 • One good shot (golf)- instead of focusing on all that went wrong • Feed the positive dog & that is the one that will grow

10. Rule #4 • Invite people on your bus and share the vision for the road ahead- clear and compelling vision! • “I am not bound to win, I am bound to be true. I am not bound to succeed, but I am bound to live up to the light that I have”– Abraham Lincoln

11. Rule #5 • Don’t wasted your energy on those who don’t get on your bus • Don’t try to make them get on • You can’t drive anyone else’s bus • The goal is not to better than anyone else but to be better than you were yesterday

12. Rule #6 • Post a sign that says “No energy vampires allowed on your bus” • Your positive energy and vision must be greater than anyone and everyone’s negativity • Your certainty must be greater than everyone’s doubt. • Positive energy is like muscle. The more you use it the stronger it gets.

13. Partner Discussion • Who are the energy vampires in your setting? • How do you handle them? • How do you change the energy?

14. Rule #7 • Enthusiasm attracts more passengers and energizes them during the ride. • CEO (Chief Energy Officer) • A life touches a life that touches a life • Schools and their effect on others every single day- sometimes we forget about our influence • Develop other CEOs • People are always buying you and “your energy”

15. Rule #8 • Love your passengers- make time for them, listen to them, recognize them, serve then, bring out the best in them • Focus on bringing out the best in each person • Help them discover the value (the gold) inside themselves • When you bring out the best in others you can’t help bringing the best in yourself

16. Rule #9 • Drive with purpose • What is your larger and greater purpose? • Schools– various “jobs”- food service, custodians, etc. Each has a link to a greater purpose (my experience with job shadows) • When we drive with purpose, we don’t get bored or tired and our engines don’t burn out.

17. Rule #10 • Have fun and enjoy the ride • “The goal in life is live young, have fun, and arrive at your final destination as late as possible, with a smile on your face”. • As Paul & Willow said this morning, “Keep your Day”

18. So, Where do We Go From Here? • Think of what our schools would be like if we all operated using the 10 rules of the Energy Bus • Angry parents, community members • Kids not learning as fast as we want them to • Administrators leading with vision, purpose, and as CEOs CHIEF ENERGY OFFICERS

19. Quotes • “Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves”-- Sir James Barry • “We are never really happy until we try to brighten the lives of others” –- Helen Keller • “As I grow older I pay less attention to what people say. I just watch what they do”-- Thomas Jefferson • “Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much”-- Helen Keller

20. Summary of 10 Rules • You’re the driver of your bus • Desire, vision, and focus move your bus in the right direction • Fuel your ride with positive energy • Invite people on your bus and share your vision for the road ahead. • Don’t waste your energy on those who don’t get on your bus • Post a sign that says NO ENERGY VAMPIRES ALLOWED on your bus • Enthusiasm attracts more passengers and energizes them during the ride • Love your passengers • Drive with purpose • Have fun and enjoy the Ride

21. Thank you • Go forth as the driver of YOUR BUS!! • Don’t ever forget who is the driver of the bus