What Will You Do With Your Minute?
Dear Leader,
Ever since my undergraduate years, I have always been intrigued by educational authorities and theorists who not only explored various phenomena but who also contributed greatly to field of education. Many of the prominent figures I admired included Jean Piaget, B. F. Skinner, and Lev Vygotsky. While these men rendered key contributions to education, there remained one trailblazer in education who immediately captured my interests like no one else–Dr. Benjamin E. Mays. Dr. Mays is a renowned leader in American Education. In addition to being a “giant” in education, he is also known as the “intellectual father of the Civil Rights Movement” and mentor to many who also contributed greatly to the world including Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Julian Bond, Maynard Jackson, and Donn Clendenon. From my initial reading, I came to understand that Dr. Mays was one who realized the importance of time. To him, every minute counted.
In his poem, “I’ve only a minute,” this message is quite clear. He writes,
I’ve only just a minute
Only sixty seconds in it.
Forced upon me, can’t refuse it.
Didn’t see it, didn’t choose it.
But it’s up to me to use it.
I must suffer if I lose it.
Give account if I abuse it.
Just a tiny little minute,
But eternity is in it.
What became more evident is Mays’ acknowledgement of how he did not ask for time but it was an element forced upon him. He also realized that suffering was the by product of time lost and that he would be held in contempt if he misapplied it. Realizing eternity rested in time, he arrested every second of the minute, serving as a leader, teacher, and mentor.
In the midst of the current pandemic, leaders are challenged with tackling the educational unknowns, attempting to respond to questions of which they do not have answers–all while trying to lead and sustain some sense of normalcy within their organizations. As an elementary school principal, I too have wrestled with bureaucratic decisions made on my behalf yet void of personal input. However, like Dr. Mays, I have also come to realize that “I’ve only a minute” and everything hangs on what is done within it. With my 60 seconds, I have decided to have a consistent message for those I serve, relinquish personal armor that negatively impact the work, and further commit to leading, mentoring, and coaching.
Your Message Matters: School leaders are employed by local districts. As a result, they are privy to information and decisions that may or may not resonate with their constituents. However, leaders must digest it all and determine how to best communicate it even if it contradicts their own personal ideology. Regardless, the message of the leader must align with the established culture and echo throughout the organization, especially when the system’s mandates raise levels of concern for those they serve. The message must include a high level of empathy and specific supports so that the followers believe the leader has their best interests at heart. Moreover, the message must affirm the leader’s willingness to go above and beyond to ensure the needs of the followers come first. When the leader cannot deliver, it is imperative that he or she yields the highest level of transparency while also employing empathy. Doing so not only builds trust but also manifest loyalty within the organization. So, since message matters, what is yours for the people you lead?
Relinguish The Armor: Questions after questions frequently fall at the doorsteps of leaders. When bombarded by multiple inquiries of which they may not have answers and/or are forced to operationalize controversial system-wide initiatives beyond their sphere of control, frustration knocks at the door. As a result of this, leaders ‘armor up,’ adventuring into a mode of self-preservation to protect themselves. Subsequently, some leaders ‘armor up’ to even protect their organization. Leaders must recognize when they are donning their armor. In addition, they must honor where they are, be it frustration or anger and be willing to sit in whatever emotional space they find themselves. While it is certainly okay to sit in such states of emotions, leaders must also realize that it is unhealthy to remain there. Ultimately, choosing to remain in an armored state can negatively impact a leader’s effectiveness. Disrobing is a must! Rather than dressing in armor, the fabric of a leader’s attire must be threaded in resiliency. Yes. Leadership is quite rewarding. However, it can potentially crush the strongest of humans. Yet, resiliency give leaders the power, the strength, and the ability to bounce back after significant hardships. So, as leaders, recognize when you are armoring up, relinquish it, take it all off, and then put on the best attire: resiliency.
Lead, Mentor, and Coach: Over the years, we have all heard the statement, “Leaders are hired for results.” While this may be true, the results achieved extend beyond school performance data. Positive school data do not surface via osmosis. It is obtained as a result of the leader’s ability to develop and grow his or her followers through mentoring and coaching. The leader’s ability to influence others through coaching partnerships are simply invaluable. Without leaders strategically mentoring and intentionally coaching in schools, school wide performance data of any kind is left to chance. Leaders have to lead in such a way that affirms the work of the people, sending a message that what they do matters and is valued within the organization. When this is the case, people are empowered and it is the empowered that gets leaders their desired results. Therefore, leaders have to lead in a manner that convinces their constituents that it is absolutely possible for them to not only achieve their personal goals but also the goals of the organization. Consequently, two of the best way to lead and convince people are mentoring and coaching. So, the question is “Who are you coaching and mentoring in your organization?”
The Clock is Ticking: Time is one of our greatest commodity. In its purest form, it is a currency that must be spent and managed wisely. In leadership, the clock is always ticking and every minute truly does counts. As leaders, we cannot miss any of it. The seconds lost is a missed opportunity to positively impact people and ultimately a failed chance to enhance organizational effectiveness. Therefore, leaders must maximize the 60 seconds, the minute– ‘for eternity is in it.’
What will you do with your minute?
Your teammate,
Dr. Ricardo Quinn
Leading Influentially For the Times
Leading Influentially For The Times 
One reply on “60 Seconds”
It’s interesting to think about supporting folks above you when you may not agree with them. What’s not hard to imagine is hoping for the support of those with whom you work. So, are the folks above any different? Are they not hoping for our support?
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