PMP415: Reclaiming Purpose with Frederick Buskey

Principal Matters: The School Leader's Podcast with William D. Parker

A quick note to listeners:

Before this week’s interview, Jen Schwanke and Will Parker answered a listener question in a 5-minute response.

The question is: We are entering a new quarter. If boundaries need to be reset, what do you suggest?

Listen in for our response and thank you for doing what matters!

Meet Frederick Buskey

Frederick Buskey helps assistant principals live and lead better. Building on 32 years of k-12 and higher education leadership experience, Dr. Buskey provides simple frameworks and tools to help school leaders spend less time putting out fires and invest more time in growing teachers. Dr. Buskey hosts The Assistant Principal Podcast, writes a daily leadership email, and hosts courses for leaders at his Strategic Leadership Academy. He has recently released his first book, A School Leader’s Guide to Reclaiming Purpose.

A previous guest on the podcast, you can hear our first interview via PMP356.

Simplicity and Presence

In this conversation, William D. Parker interviews Frederick Buskey, who begins the conversation by emphasizing the power of simplicity in achieving presence. Frederick shares a personal anecdote about a transformative long walk he took with his wife, highlighting the value of being fully present and how it allows the small things in life to manifest as the most impactful.

The Motivation Behind the New Book

With a background in developing programs for teacher development, Frederick explains the importance of building strong student relationships, enhancing learning environments, and managing behavior and school safety. He addresses the complex nature of educational leadership, including the essential skills, knowledge, and collaborative processes required for success.

A Guide for Educational Leaders

Frederick’s book is presented as a resource for leaders striving to navigate the overwhelming demands of their roles. He outlines six key stages detailed in his work:

• Understanding Our Current State and the Need to Become Unstuck
• Making a U-Turn
• Powering Down
• Powering Up
• Valuing Small Moments and Intentions
• Embracing Strategic Leadership

These stages serve as a blueprint for escaping the constant urgency involved in educational leadership, guiding readers towards more targeted and meaningful engagement.

Leadership Insights

Frederick shares three pivotal ideas:

• Recognizing the impossibility of doing everything.
• Understanding the importance of choice in determining actions.
• Acknowledging that these choices are a reflection of one’s values.

These insights help leaders prioritize essential management over time management, emphasizing that every commitment made inherently means a refusal somewhere else. Frederick includes practical exercises for leaders to reflect, set intentional targets, and engineer desired outcomes.

The Path to Intentional Leadership

As the interview concludes, Frederick encourages leaders to embrace intentionality, accept the journey’s never-ending nature, and seek collaboration in their professional paths. His book is a tool for leaders aiming to maximize their impact on students amidst the balancing act of safety, legal obligations, instructional outcomes, and teacher support.

For more information about Frederick Buskey visit his website for his insights into leadership, as well as his new book, explore his website or find his work on Amazon.com.

Listen to the entire conversation for more takeaways for educational leaders seeking to navigate the complexities of their roles. Thank you again for doing what matters!

The post PMP415: Reclaiming Purpose with Frederick Buskey appeared first on Principal Matters.