Page 31 - The Edge2023 - Spring

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
VENDOR/BUYER CONFERENCE BY BRIAN MEE
e Essence of Leadership

BY DON HARRIS
Brian Mee
Here’s How and Why to Be an Ethical Leader
Mark Twain once said, “Really great people
make you feel that you too, can be great.” When
elected as President to the Association of School

Business O cials International, I was charged

with the task to come up with a theme for my
presidency. e theme I chose was something

I called, E3 Leadership. “If your actions inspire
It takes an ethical leader to run a smooth and found that “moral values” was Number Four as the
others to dream more, learn more and become
more, you are a leader” is quote by John Quincy

efficient operation, and that involves an individual most non-economic problem, ahead of national
Adams captures the essence of leadership and
lays the foundation I would like to focus on
with a multitude of quality attributes. security and just below terrorism.
this year as I share some of the views from my
messages as ASBO International President.
Leadership is one of the most important

roles for school business o cials – and it is also
Brian Mee, Executive Director of AASBO, is Education Week reported that teaching children
one of the most challenging responsibilities.
When it comes to leadership in our jobs, it isn’t
no stranger to ethical leadership. In the keynote values and discipline ranked above higher academic
necessarily something we do, that is, lead. It’s
who we are – leaders. E3 Leadership – Envision,
presentation at AASBO’s Vendor/Buyer Conference standards, school safety and better teachers. “Why
Engage and Empower are essential elements of
leadership.
on Jan. 24, Mee talked about creating an environment is that?” Mee said.”It’s because teachers are having
Envision: One of the most important traits of
all great leaders is the ability to have a clear vision
within your school district that can also apply to trouble with control, with discipline. And Parents
for their organization — a distinct and vibrant
concept of what the organization should stand
your family, your church or any other organization. Magazine determined that 99% of parents want
for and strive for now and in the future.
Engage: Effective leaders engage all the
“It’s an environment that spawns ethical leadership their children to have a firm set of values.”
stakeholders through collaboration and soliciting
their input, considering their ideas, and taking constructive Speaking of excellence, I would like to thank our
and ethical behavior,” Mee said. “That’s what we’re criticism regarding the vision and the path toward its outstanding President Nate Bowler for providing a clear

realization. ey weigh the stakeholders’ interests and needs and positive vision for our recently completed 66th Annual
talking about.” A startling survey by the Josephson Institute of
and align them with the vision to achieve the desired result.
Conference and Exposition – Learn from the Past, Go Forward
Empower: One of the most important skills of every to the Future, and of course a huge thank you is due to all
Ethics found that a decline of social and moral
successful leader is the ability to empower others to make the speakers, vendors, volunteers and especially Ana, Audrey,
decisions that support the organization’s vision. Effective Chuck and Je for providing the outstanding foundation on
leaders grant others this decision-making authority, but they which we build this event. e keynote presentations by Josh
He defined a couple of key words, such as: values is the Number One problem facing the teen
also provide the guidance, coaching, resources, and tools Tickell and Aron Ralston were informative and quite moving,
“Character, which is the inner disposition or generation. Of 23,000 students surveyed, 45% of
necessary to ensure the decisions support the work of the the professional development breakout sessions provided
organization. Success requires mutual trust and a clear vision. our members with a wealth of knowledge on a broad range of
conscience of an individual, and morality, which males and 28% of females agreed that someone

Leadership also involves another E: Excellence. E ective topics, and the tribute to Carolyn Warner, the iconic Arizona
leaders create an environment that expects — even demands Superintendent of Public Instruction, brought back fond
refers to customs, norms, virtues, and folkways of must lie and cheat at least occasionally to succeed.
excellence. In that environment everyone strives to produce memories for all of us.
a quality product. In our case, that quality product is students I welcome new members to our Board of Directors, and
a society. The focus is on the values of the group. In addition, 20% of males and 10% of females also
who have the knowledge and skills to succeed in higher applaud AASBO members who were recognized at our Annual
education, in the workforce and our society. If we are excellent Conference for their accomplishments.

Finally – a reminder. Our rst bimonthly meeting of the new
in our supportive responsibilities, our education sta can focus
Ethics is a code or a set of moral beliefs, rather believe that it is not cheating if everyone is doing it.
on their responsibilities. school year is September 11 at EVIT. You’re invited!

than a pattern or quality of conduct. Morality is “Now, that’s interesting,” Mee said.
acceptance, belief, or subscription to some moral 6 THE EDGE | BACK TO SCHOOL 2019
value system.” Mee recalled several national scandals in politics,
finance, sports, entertainment and even education.
But, Mee then turned to some of today’s concerning “Scandals snowball and affect many people,” Mee
national, including this one from a Gallup Survey: said. He mentioned sex scandals involving teachers
“Current State of Moral Values Are The Worst They and students and said, “Tell your teachers, do not
Have Ever Been.” A Wall Street Journal Survey email, text or have a student anywhere alone ever.
found that “decline in moral values” is listed as They are just asking for trouble.”
one of the most important problems, and an ABC/
Washington Post Survey reported that “moral With schools facing difficulty in hiring to fill
decline” was only one percentage point behind vacancies, Mee referred to an article on Motivating
crime and just ahead of drugs. And a Gallup poll and Retaining Employees by Barbara Glanz.
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