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Dear Friends,
Last month, SAES leaders from across the association gathered high above the Riverwalk in San Antonio, Texas to participate in the SAES Leadership Symposium. At this event, keynote speaker Dr. Amer Kaissi led an engaging session that reviewed the findings of scholarly research on patterns of effective leadership, ultimately demonstrating that humility, combined with ambition, can be an enormously powerful combination for positive organizational leadership. Throughout the morning, Dr. Kaissi encouraged participants to engage in self-awareness, appreciation, and open-mindedness as three key attributes and practices of the humble and ambitious (humbitious) leader.
And then this week, as we officially celebrate Episcopal Schools, I also noticed that The Collect for Episcopal Schools Celebration implores God to “Give us open doors, open minds, and open hearts that we might accept, learn, and love…” *
So, if the scholarly leadership research points to powerful results when practicing “open-mindedness,” and then the Collect for Episcopal Schools Celebrations recognizes our need to ask our heavenly Father to help us in our quest to “open doors, open minds, and open hearts,” then perhaps we need to pay attention to both the importance of seeking open-mindedness as well as the challenges associated with achieving open doors/minds/hearts on our own accord. In other words, as leaders, keeping open doors/minds/hearts is critically important and it is extremely hard to do without God’s help!
Therefore, in our quest to become better, more “humbitious” leaders for our communities and our schools, perhaps we need to start with “Seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness.”
*(From John F. Smith, Cycle of Prayer for Episcopal Schools, 2nd ed. (New York: National Association of Episcopal Schools, 2008), 4.
Blessings,
Rob
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Read.
Dignity
Recommended by Chris Gunnin, SAES Board member and HOS at St. Stephen’s Episcopal School in Austin, “This book is a must read for those who want to experience peace in their everyday lives and peace in the world around them. . . . If you want peace, be sure everyone’s dignity is intact." —Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu
Listen.
The Complex World of Teens and Screens
This episode of the Harvard EdCast provides a glimpse into teens' online world and offers strategies for adults eager to connect and help with the young adults in their life.
Watch.
Celebrate Episcopal Schools Video Message
Presiding Bishop Michael Curry celebrates the ministry of the nearly 1,200 Episcopal schools and early childhood education programs throughout the Episcopal Church.
Participate.
Be Strong and Courageous
NAES Biennial Conference 2022
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