Page 7 - AASBO The EDGE Summer 2022

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
BY BRIAN MEE
BY BRIAN MEE
E3 Leadership Is the Key to Success

e Essence of Leadership
Brian Mee

Mark Twain once said, “Really great people
Effective leadership is one of our utmost to three main concepts: Envision, Engage, and
make you feel that you too, can be great.” When
responsibilities and greatest challenges as school Empower. Each of the terms describes a necessary
elected as President to the Association of School

Business O cials International, I was charged
business officials. Our effectiveness as leaders – trait of an effective leader, but when combined in
with the task to come up with a theme for my
the character of our leadership and the processes sequence, they can transform an organization.

presidency. e theme I chose was something
we use – influence the success of our organization,
I called, E3 Leadership. “If your actions inspire
others to dream more, learn more and become
our staff, our community, and most importantly, ENVISION

more, you are a leader” is quote by John Quincy
our students. One of the most important traits of all great
Adams captures the essence of leadership and
lays the foundation I would like to focus on leaders is the ability to have a clear vision for
this year as I share some of the views from my
As an association, AASBO plays a vital role in their organization – a distinct and vibrant concept
messages as ASBO International President.
encouraging and developing leaders in the many of what the organization should stand for and
Leadership is one of the most important
areas of professionalism that keep our schools strive for now and in the future. But having a

roles for school business o cials – and it is also
operating in a safe and wholesome manner. vision is not enough. The late Warren Bennis,
one of the most challenging responsibilities.
When it comes to leadership in our jobs, it isn’t
You are the leaders who provide management an American author, once said: "Leadership is
necessarily something we do, that is, lead. It’s
and assistance in accounting, finance, budget, the capacity to translate vision into reality." True
who we are – leaders. E3 Leadership – Envision,
food and nutrition, technology, maintenance leaders believe in the vision and have the skills to
Engage and Empower are essential elements of
leadership.
and facilities, pupil transportation, and various make that vision come alive for others.
Envision: One of the most important traits of
support services.
all great leaders is the ability to have a clear vision
for their organization — a distinct and vibrant ENGAGE
concept of what the organization should stand Margaret Wheatley, a write/teacher/management
To reach and exceed your professional goals on
for and strive for now and in the future.
the way to leadership positions, AASBO provides consultant, said, "In these troubled, uncertain
Engage: Effective leaders engage all the
myriad educational opportunities, including times, we don't need more command and control;
stakeholders through collaboration and soliciting
Speaking of excellence, I would like to thank our
their input, considering their ideas, and taking constructive we need better means to engage everyone's
access to college-level courses, and informative
criticism regarding the vision and the path toward its outstanding President Nate Bowler for providing a clear
breakout sessions at our conferences – especially intelligence in solving challenges and crises as
realization. ey weigh the stakeholders’ interests and needs and positive vision for our recently completed 66th Annual

our upcoming Annual Conference. More about they arise." That sentiment is so true in today's
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
that later. education landscape. Without the engagement
successful leader is the ability to empower others to make the speakers, vendors, volunteers and especially Ana, Audrey,
of all stakeholders – those inside and outside
decisions that support the organization’s vision. Effective Chuck and Je for providing the outstanding foundation on
"...True leadership comes down the district— the vision will remain stagnant.
leaders grant others this decision-making authority, but they which we build this event. e keynote presentations by Josh
Effective leaders engage all the stakeholders in the
also provide the guidance, coaching, resources, and tools Tickell and Aron Ralston were informative and quite moving,
to three main concepts: Envision, vision by soliciting their input, considering their
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. ideas, and taking constructive criticism regarding
our members with a wealth of knowledge on a broad range of
Engage, and Empower."
Leadership also involves another E: Excellence. E ective topics, and the tribute to Carolyn Warner, the iconic Arizona

the vision and the path toward its realization.
leaders create an environment that expects — even demands Superintendent of Public Instruction, brought back fond
excellence. In that environment everyone strives to produce They weigh the stakeholders' interests and needs
memories for all of us.
When I was President of ASBO International, my
a quality product. In our case, that quality product is students I welcome new members to our Board of Directors, and
theme was what I called E3 Leadership. It stems and align them with the vision to achieve the end
who have the knowledge and skills to succeed in higher applaud AASBO members who were recognized at our Annual
result.
education, in the workforce and our society. If we are excellent Conference for their accomplishments.
from the idea that true leadership comes down

in our supportive responsibilities, our education sta can focus Finally – a reminder. Our rst bimonthly meeting of the new
CONTINUED ON PAGE 8

on their responsibilities. school year is September 11 at EVIT. You’re invited!
7
6 THE EDGE | BACK TO SCHOOL 2019