Mission & Purpose: Insights from John McGlothlin

An Imperfect Leader

INTRO: I was interested to see how ChatGPT might create an intro for me. I gave it some information and it spat out:

“Welcome to a journey that transcends the conventional boundaries of education. Imagine a school where purpose is not just a buzzword but the very essence that breathes life into every corridor, classroom, and curriculum.”

Yeesh. I asked it to sound less like a carnival announcer and it got worse:

“Hey there, folks! Get ready for a wild ride into the heart and soul of education – where purpose isn't just a fancy word, but the very lifeblood of every nook and cranny in our schools.”

Oof! That’s the very stereotype of a used-car salesman or auctioneer.

So instead, let me take it myself and say that my guest today made me think about Rick DuFour and his book "Professional Learning Communities at Work,” especially the concept of purpose-driven schooling, AND SPECIFICALLY how in the absence of a guiding purpose (my guest refers to this as self-awareness), one will find it difficult to do just about anything else. Start with your WHY before you discuss anything else.

My guest is John McClothlin and his book introduces us to five traits essential for cultivating an environment where purpose thrives. They are:

1. Self-awareness

2. Initiative

3. Adaptability

4. Efficiency

5. Insistence

John has a military background – it made this conversation a little different, and soooo interesting. I am Peter Stiepleman and this is An Imperfect Leader.

BIO: John McGlothlin is my guest. John is former JAG, a former Army paratrooper who served across the US, Europe, and both Iraq and Afghanistan. He is a professor and the author of How to Deal with Damn Near Anything: The Paratrooper's Guide to Life.

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Music for An Imperfect Leader was written and arranged by Ian Varley.

Sam Falbo created our artwork, a wood-print inspired daruma doll butterfly.

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My book, An Imperfect Leader: Leadership in (After) Action is available at Amazon.com or peterstiepleman.com.