Leadership Matters September 2014

“Jon’s books and talks to our team have had a significant impact on our culture and have helped us build a positive team where our players overcome negativity and challenges…” --Mike Smith, head coach of the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons Smith, the

common, and said that I should be a household name. I told her that I just want to be a big name in my household. I believe leadership starts with influencing those closest to us,” Gordon said. “We must lead our leadership teams before we can lead our organizations. Great leaders develop other leaders…great

winningest coach in the history of the Falcons, read “The Energy Bus” when he was defensive coordinator for the Jacksonville Jaguars. When he was named head coach of the Falcons in 2008, he had his team read the book and invited Gordon to speak to the team. The Energy Bus has also been used by numerous professional and college coaches including NBA coaches Doc Rivers, Brad Stevens and Pittsburg Pirates Manager Clint Hurdle. (I didn’t consult with Doc, Brad and Clint) “I think the common thing is that my message is all about developing positive

leaders succeed not because they are great, but because they bring our greatness in others.” Gordon lays out his simple formula in his latest book, “The Carpenter.” “The three greatest leadership strategies of all are Love, Serve and Care,” he said. “I do those three things and simply focus on making a difference and let the outcome take care of itself.” Gordon said his message and that formula are applicable to public school systems facing challenges ranging from severe budget cuts to being attacked by reform groups and the media. “My children go to public school. I went to public school,” Gordon said. “Whatever people say

leadership and positive teams and confronting negativity and energy vampires that sabotage so many teams and organizations,” Gordon said. “We all have energy vampires in our lives…and I believe that’s why my message resonates. I give practical and proven ways to confront, transform and/or remove them. It all starts with culture.” Developing a positive culture starts with a leader’s innermost circle. Gordon recalled being on a plane with a TV executive about a year ago and giving her a copy of one of his books. “She had never heard of me, which is very

are the problems, I believe one crucial part of the solution is great leadership. We all know that if you put a great principal in a struggling school, the principal will turn around the school…great principals create great cultures and they bring out the best in their teachers. Give school leaders the power and authority to build their culture and transform their school and they will.”

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