Are you looking for a meaningful book study for your school or district this year, or perhaps already using Forward, Together with your team? This episode can serve as a starting point for those conversations, focusing on three questions that can help educators and leaders move beyond simply reading a book together and toward actually strengthening the community they serve.
In a world where disagreement can quickly become division, how do we intentionally build stronger communities in our schools?
In this episode of The Innovator’s Mindset Podcast, George Couros explores the idea that disagreement does not have to lead to division and shares three questions that can help school leaders and educators strengthen their communities:
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How do we move forward when we don’t always agree?
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How do we create ownership instead of simply seeking buy-in?
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How do we ensure people feel valued for their contributions to our organization?
George discusses why listening and finding common ground should come before trying to convince others, why having more fingerprints on the journey creates more advocates for the destination, and why recognizing people’s strengths is only the beginning. We also have to give people meaningful opportunities to use those strengths.
The episode shares examples from schools and leadership experiences that demonstrate what it looks like to build community proactively, rather than waiting until relationships become fractured.
As George shares in Forward, Together, “When schools and families work together, they double the chance of a child’s success.”
Links & Resources Mentioned
Forward, Together by George Couros:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1948334836?linkCode=ssc&tag=georgecouros-20&creativeASIN=1948334836&asc_item-id=amzn1.ideas.2SBTFVTBT0S6X&ref_=aip_sf_list_spv_ofs_mixed_d_asin
Illinois Association of School Administrators Conference, George Couros Keynote Announcement:
https://myemail.constantcontact.com/The-Wait-Is-Over--Meet-Our-Second-General-Session-Speaker.html?soid=1103777180704&aid=l7RLjHlb7PY
3 Questions Before You Launch Your Profile of a Graduate:
https://georgecouros.com/portrait-of-a-graduate/
Naperville 203 Profile of a Learner:
https://www.naperville203.org/our-district/profile-of-a-learner
Being a Good Follower:
https://georgecouros.com/being-a-good-follower/
Connect with George / Speaking & Book Study Inquiries:
https://georgecouros.com/contact/
Ultimately, building community is not something we should focus on only when things go wrong. Building community should be a proactive endeavor.
The question for all of us is not simply, “How do we get people to come along with us?” Instead, it might be: How do we create something together that people are proud to move forward with?
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👉 Share your thoughts in the comments or connect with me on social media using #InnovatorsMindset
🌐 More at: https://georgecouros.com
🎙 Full audio podcast: https://linktr.ee/gcouros
Follow George Couros:
X: https://x.com/gcouros
Instagram: https://instagram.com/gcouros
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/georgecourosauthor/
LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/george-couros-a5146519
📚 Books by George Couros:
Forward, Together:
https://a.co/d/99RGvl3
The Innovator's Mindset: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0986155497?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d
What Makes a Great Principal: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1948334739?tag=onamzgeorge0f-20
Because of a Teacher: https://www.amazon.com/dp/194833433X?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d
Because of a Teacher 2: https://www.amazon.com/dp/194833450X?tag=onamzgeorge0f-20
Innovate Inside the Box: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1948334127?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d
Music from Bensound -http://bensound.com/
