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Michelman's Musings
Don't Focus on the New but the Old
As leaders, we often become fixated on what's new and how to integrate it into our schools. We want to assure parents and students that...
Feb 5, 2025
Exit Ticket
We've all been in meetings where some attendees lack energy and appear as though they wish they were elsewhere. These individuals can...
Jan 22, 2025
Everything Sends a Message
After four years without snow, Durham experienced a snow event (though it didn't quite qualify as a storm) that left about an inch of...
Jan 15, 2025
Why Should I Trust Your School?
I recently read an op-ed piece in the New York Times with a surprising thesis: amidst the polarization of the left and the right, there...
Jan 8, 2025
Writing Your Autobiography Each Day
I recently read in Farnam Street that “your calendar is the most honest autobiography you will ever write.” I have almost nothing to add...
Dec 18, 2024
Just Leaf Me Alone
A number of clients have mentioned that they are struggling with delegating responsibilities to team members. The issues fall into two...
Dec 11, 2024
Filters Are Not Just For Coffee, But Also for Decisions
Perusing Linkedin recently, I came across an entry by Michael Walker , former Head of San Francisco Day School and Harding Academy....
Dec 4, 2024
Grateful to be at Work?
Tis the season for gratefulness. It seems sad that we need a holiday, and one full of gluttony at that, to remind us to count the...
Nov 27, 2024
Who's in Charge Here?
Leaders strive to arrange compelling, engaging, and productive meetings. Yet many meetings seem like an obligation rather than an...
Nov 20, 2024
Tell the Whole (and Real) Story
Those of you who read my blog last week learned about my racing heart and breathlessness. Unfortunately, days after writing the blog, I...
Nov 13, 2024
To Create Raving Fans Stick to Your Core Business
I am old enough to qualify for Medicare and have subscribed to Aetna’s advantage plan. In order to show me how much they care for me,...
Nov 6, 2024
Encouraging Amazon Shopping?
For the past decade, I have taken notes in conferences on my laptop. To avoid the distraction of a keyboard and screen blocking my view,...
Oct 30, 2024
Turning The Cultural Oil Tanker
Articles about the dangers of alcohol have become omnipresent. As one who would like to avoid dementia yet also loves a glass (or two, or...
Oct 23, 2024
Can A Board Be a Great Team?
I am preparing to give a talk at SAIS’ Annual Conference about helping boards operate as teams rather than groups of people who...
Oct 16, 2024
What Do I Do Now
Last week I wrote about how ending leadership team meetings (really any meeting) with four questions will ensure the right people know...
Oct 9, 2024
The Four Questions
I recently sat in two different leadership meetings. Both had full agendas and lively conversations. The teams were engaged and sharing...
Oct 2, 2024
"Polished" Decisions
I recently came across a video of Steve Jobs comparing good teamwork with a rock tumbler. He mentions that as a youth he saw a number of...
Sep 25, 2024
Here We Go Again....
Here we are halfway through September, and we have already had a mass shooting at a school, not to mention two assassination attempts on...
Sep 18, 2024
It's the System!
When I first arrived at Duke School, we had an issue with families re-enrolling at a glacial rate. At that time, even with new enrollees,...
Sep 11, 2024
Hire Slow, Fire Fast?
When I was heading my first school, one of my board members would constantly opine that I should hire slow and fire fast. I certainly...
Sep 4, 2024
Welcome to Michelman's Musings where I share some thoughts on leadership, team dynamics, education, and general observations of life.
I hope that you enjoy and feel free to comment.
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