Page 7 - The EDGE Fall 2022

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
BY BRIAN MEE
BY BRIAN MEE
Our Initial Leadership Institute Event

e Essence of Leadership
Provided Pathways to Success
Brian Mee

Mark Twain once said, “Really great people
AASBO is strongly committed to the concept of in the Leadership Institute, you demonstrate your
make you feel that you too, can be great.” When
leadership and in helping leaders throughout the state commitment to taking the steps necessary to become
elected as President to the Association of School

Business O cials International, I was charged
improve their skills, enabling them to better their a better leader. It also shows your district's confidence
with the task to come up with a theme for my
school districts and communities. And, most of all, in you and your abilities by investing the time and
presidency. e theme I chose was something

helping our students. resources for you to attend.
I called, E3 Leadership. “If your actions inspire
others to dream more, learn more and become
more, you are a leader” is quote by John Quincy

That briefly explains why we launched the Leadership Other topics we covered in Prescott included the
Adams captures the essence of leadership and
Institute in cooperation with the Trust. We had a intersection of Human Resources and Operations,
lays the foundation I would like to focus on
this year as I share some of the views from my
great turnout for the inaugural Leadership Institute such as hiring, staffing, budget, organizational culture,
messages as ASBO International President.
conference in Prescott, and it’s just the beginning and liability. Specifically, a school district's success
Leadership is one of the most important
of enhanced programs to enable our members to is directly linked to the quality of its employees, so

roles for school business o cials – and it is also
one of the most challenging responsibilities.
improve their professional skills and attain greater it’s important to know how to hire the right people
When it comes to leadership in our jobs, it isn’t
success. The three-day event provided attendees for the right job – and how to avoid hiring the wrong
necessarily something we do, that is, lead. It’s
with personal examples of success from some of people.
who we are – leaders. E3 Leadership – Envision,
Engage and Empower are essential elements of
the premiere leaders in the field of school business
leadership.
management. Each of them presented dynamic We also heard about addressing difficult employee
Envision: One of the most important traits of
leadership sessions that were not only informative, issues, with the emphasis on the basics of
all great leaders is the ability to have a clear vision
but challenging. communication and why communication is key
for their organization — a distinct and vibrant
concept of what the organization should stand to establishing credibility and trust with your
for and strive for now and in the future.
For example, Mark Joraanstad, retired Executive stakeholders. A successful leader must have the ability
Engage: Effective leaders engage all the
Director of Arizona School Administrators, kicked to engage in crucial conversations with confidence and
stakeholders through collaboration and soliciting
their input, considering their ideas, and taking constructive Speaking of excellence, I would like to thank our
off things urging AASBO members to lead from their competence. Often, those challenging conversations
criticism regarding the vision and the path toward its outstanding President Nate Bowler for providing a clear
strength. Basically, once you discover your strengths are the result of a difficult employee issue, but there
realization. ey weigh the stakeholders’ interests and needs and positive vision for our recently completed 66th Annual

and constraints, you can capitalize on what you are ways to approach difficult conversations with
Conference and Exposition – Learn from the Past, Go Forward
and align them with the vision to achieve the desired result.
Empower: One of the most important skills of every to the Future, and of course a huge thank you is due to all
do best and assemble teams that complement your confidence, anticipating a positive outcome. Also
successful leader is the ability to empower others to make the speakers, vendors, volunteers and especially Ana, Audrey,
strengths. Of course, that goes along with Ken Hicks covered was how to document employee issues at the
decisions that support the organization’s vision. Effective Chuck and Je for providing the outstanding foundation on
recommending that you need to create a positive right time in the right way.
leaders grant others this decision-making authority, but they which we build this event. e keynote presentations by Josh
workplace environment. Mike Wright, Blue Ridge
also provide the guidance, coaching, resources, and tools Tickell and Aron Ralston were informative and quite moving,
necessary to ensure the decisions support the work of the the professional development breakout sessions provided
USD Superintendent, touted effective teamwork as Using communication to earn credibility and trust
organization. Success requires mutual trust and a clear vision. our members with a wealth of knowledge on a broad range of
one of the most desired organizational traits today. with your superintendent, governing board and

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
stakeholders was stressed. Another session answered
excellence. In that environment everyone strives to produce memories for all of us.
This institute is designed to give AASBO members a the question of whether good is good enough in
a quality product. In our case, that quality product is students I welcome new members to our Board of Directors, and
big picture view of the different skills you will need today's competitive world. In the 2001 book “Good to
who have the knowledge and skills to succeed in higher applaud AASBO members who were recognized at our Annual
to grow your leadership abilities. When you enroll Great,” Jim Collins researched a variety of companies
education, in the workforce and our society. If we are excellent Conference for their accomplishments.
in our supportive responsibilities, our education sta can focus Finally – a reminder. Our rst bimonthly meeting of the new

CONTINUED ON PAGE 9

on their responsibilities. school year is September 11 at EVIT. You’re invited!
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6 THE EDGE | BACK TO SCHOOL 2019