Lessons in Leadership: Don’t Wait to Show Appreciation

In the world of education, there are several days, and weeklong celebrations devoted to acknowledging the efforts of specific groups. There are days devoted to teachers, social workers, librarians, principals, custodial workers, etc. Taking the time to show your teams appreciation can help boost morale, improve work culture, and increase capacity.

But why do we wait for these specific dates to show our appreciation?

This time lapse may be counterproductive to the meaning of ‘appreciation’. Choosing to wait may come across as disingenuous. I personally do not want my teams to think I am just going along with the flow. I want them to know that even on the most difficult days, I value and appreciate their work, input, and perspectives. My appreciation for their daily efforts extends beyond the typical weeklong celebrations. 

For that reason, I do not hesitate to let my teams know that I appreciate them. Whenever an opportunity to show appreciation comes along, I take it. I often send emails, written notes, or simple text messages giving my teams a bit of praise and acknowledgement. I find that these small acts of appreciation are more valuable than waiting for an annual celebration.

To help get you started, here are two quick and easy ways to increase the frequency through which you show appreciation to members of your team:

  • Say, “Thank you.” – A simple “Thank you” goes a long way especially when they are immediate and help to validate the work that an employee is doing. 
  • Acknowledge effort. – To acknowledge effort, leaders need to be in tune with what employees are doing. This requires frequent check-ins and an understanding of the work that is being done.  

Planned and intentional day or weeklong celebrations in honor of employees are great, but you should not wait until then to show appreciation. Take daily steps to show your teams just how much you appreciate them! 

Keep going, keep growing, keep glowing… thank you for reading,

Elaine Margarita 

Time Well Spent…

Hello, November!

October was a blur. I spent the month taking time to practice the very thing I preach, self-care. I practiced my meditation, I set and maintained healthy boundaries, and I focused on setting new goals and timelines.

An incredible and unexpected blessing also occurred. I adopted the cutest little pups. They joined our family at eight weeks old and are very much like babies! During the first few nights, they woke up every hour on the hour. Thankfully, they are adapting well, now four weeks later, they are able to sleep a solid four to five hours.

Since I am able to get a few more hours of sleep, I am excited to resume my writing. Looking forward to sharing a post on appreciation this Sunday.

Keep going, keep growing, keep glowing… thank you for reading,

Elaine Margarita

Guided Mindfulness Meditation as a Leadership Tool

I promised to share tools and strategies contributing to my leadership Glow Up. First up is a daily practice that has helped me be a more centered and present leader: guided mindfulness meditation. 

Before sharing my experience, please know that I am not an expert. I have been practicing guided mindfulness meditation for approximately three months. Consistency has allowed me to leverage its side effects to support and enhance my leadership practice. It is important to note that a guided meditation practice does not require extensive amounts of time. By devoting just five minutes a day, you can build consistency and begin to reap the benefits of the practice.  

What is guided mindfulness meditation?

Essentially, guided mindfulness meditation involves an experienced instructor who leads or teaches the session. They provide direction and encourage participants to monitor their thoughts throughout and after the session. This practice does not have to be live and in person. In fact, guided mindfulness meditations can be accessed virtually, too. Now that I have defined what guided mindfulness mediation is, let me tell you about my favorite mindfulness activities. 

Breath Work

My absolute favorite mindfulness activity is breathwork. Controlling my inhales and exhales allows me to calm my mind and anchor my thoughts. I enjoy the soothing and relaxing sensation that takes over my body. Before I have difficult conversations or deal with difficult situations, I take a few moments to pause and focus on my breath. This practice allows me to think clearly and rationally, improving my decision-making skills and my ability to recover from any setbacks. 

Mantras and Affirmation

Guided mindfulness meditation often incorporates the use of mantras or affirmations. They help participants relax, practice self-compassion, sustain focus, and enhance awareness. Mantras are my second favorite mindfulness activity. Selecting mantras that relate to my experiences is vital. Once I have chosen a mantra for the day, I repeat it often to remain focused and purpose-driven. 

How to get Started:

You can start your meditation practice for free. YouTube has several channels that provide free guided meditation. Several online applications offer free subscriptions to teachers and administrators.

HeadSpace is my app of choice and the one I have used for the last three months. It provides beginner meditation courses that span over several weeks. Additionally, there are focused meditations to help participants manage anxiety and stress. If you have a Peloton or FitOn subscription, you can use their guided meditation videos, too.

Leadership Tip: Add a guided mindfulness meditation to your daily morning routine. Five minutes of breathwork and positive affirmations can help set the tone for a productive workday. 

Before I conclude, I do want to share that in the beginning, I was skeptical about the benefits of this practice. Learning to quiet my thoughts and not be distracted by the outside world took several attempts. I still struggle with this, but I understand there is no right or wrong way to practice, and staying consistent is key. After three months of staying consistent, I am able to stay in a meditation state for 10 to 13 minutes. I’ve learned to use mindfulness as a way to calm anxiety, release stress, and focus on being grateful for each day.

I hope that mindfulness meditation as a leadership tool can help you on your leadership journey.

Keep going, keep growing, keep glowing… thank you for reading,

Elaine Margarita 

Yes, Kindness to Self… Matters! 

This week was a tough one. When self-criticism and doubt tried to creep into my thoughts, I showed myself kindness and recited the following mantras: 

“I can handle whatever comes my way.”

“I am resilient.”

“It’s okay to say no.”

Kindness to self involves self-compassion and self-care. When we are kind to our minds, we allow ourselves to identify and accept our limitations. We become more aware of our thoughts and feelings, leading to positive well-being and improved mental health. We are more equipped to handle challenges, make sound decisions, and empathize with others. 

Leadership Tip: Choose a phrase or mantra that resonates with you. Repeat your mantra regularly, especially in moments of self-doubt. Be gentle with your mind, practice self-compassion, and prioritize your mental well-being.

In a few days, I will share how I show myself kindness.

Keep going, keep growing, keep glowing… thank you for reading,

Elaine Margarita

Conversation Gone Astray

I’ve been guilty of doing what this post suggests leaders avoid doing. Thankfully, I learned from my mistake and am mindful of my words when conversing with my staff. 

Background Story:

One of your team members is highly upset for reason “X.”  They come to you and share their frustration. You listen attentively and respond to their needs. Toward the end of the conversation, you wrap up by saying something like “don’t take things personally” or “try not to let things get to you.” 

It wasn’t until my most recent use of the phrase, “Don’t take things personally,” that I realized that although my intentions were good, responding to someone’s concerns with my choice of words to close out the conversation was perceived as having a lack of empathy. 

This turn of events was shocking to me. I thought I was both being a good listener and leader. I wanted to end the conversation on a light note but failed miserably because of those last four words. I wholeheartedly believe that good leaders lead with empathy. So, to hear someone suggest that I was not empathetic to their needs made me think about the conversation. I wanted to discover “where and how did I go wrong?”

After much reflection, I realized my choice of words unintentionally made a member of my team feel unheard. As a result, those four words nullified our entire conversation and led them to believe I dismissed their feelings, thoughts, and frustrations. I missed an opportunity to connect and strengthen our working relationship.  

As leaders, we want our teams to feel comfortable enough to engage in dialogue, inclusive of their concerns and frustrations. We want them to understand that we hear and validate those concerns. We want to encourage communication and build trust. Phrases like “don’t take it personally” are counterproductive to building relationships. 

One way we can work to ensure our staff members feel seen, heard, and understood is by being mindful of what we say when responding to concerns. Being intentional with our choice of words can help cultivate a supportive environment. 

Leadership Tip: Consider using any of the following phrases when responding to concerns brought up by a member of your team:

  • I understand how you feel…
  • Let’s work together to find a solution…
  • How can I best support you through this…
  • We’ll get through this as a team…

Empathy is not just about using the right words. It’s also about genuinely listening and understanding the emotions and concerns of your staff. The phrases suggested above are grounded on empathy, care, and concern. They exemplify a collaborative approach to solving problems, which can lead to increased trust and positive relationships, climate, and culture.

I hope my mistakes and reflections help you on your leadership journey.

Keep going, keep growing, keep glowing… thank you for reading.

Elaine Margarita 

Leadership Tip: How to Foster Openness and Transparency 

Embedded in the GLOW UP acronym is openness. Openness should be an area of focus in your leadership development. When leaders are open and transparent about initiatives, procedures, processes, etc., they help to facilitate positive work and learning environments for all. 

I did not want to make this post so incredibly long that it felt like a chapter in a book. Therefore, I focused on my top three ways of increasing openness and transparency in the workplace. I condensed my thoughts into three categories: establish effective communication, build trust, and invite different perspectives. 

  1. Establish Effective Communication:  Effective communication is essential for solving problems, making informed decisions, facilitating collaboration, and promoting positive school cultures. There are several methods of communication ranging from meetings to emails to social media. Typically, the form of communication used will depend on your target audience. 
  2. Build Trust: Successful teams trust their leadership. Trust develops through openness and honesty. It is important to note that this process does take time. Building trust takes effort, is done by being intentional, and does not occur overnight. There is no magic formula for establishing trust.
  3. Invite Different Perspectives: Openness allows for giving and receiving feedback and encourages dialogue. Inviting team members to share their thoughts, ideas, and perspectives helps strengthen collaboration and creativity but also helps to establish a collective sense of responsibility. This exchange can facilitate collaboration, growth, and development while ensuring that leadership and their teams move in the right direction. 

Glowing up as a leader requires consistent effort. While these suggestions for creating an environment that fosters openness and transparency are by no means the end-all-be-all, they are a great way to start thinking, planning, and reflecting on how you lead. 

Side Note: When I started my leadership journey, I recall jotting down an incredible amount of notes based on what I read, the professional development sessions I attended, and even the Twitter/X chats I followed. I thought all my notes would help me navigate the struggles. What I eventually realized was that the notes overwhelmed me. There was too much, and I could not figure out what to focus on. After much reflection, I realized that I needed to chunk my thoughts. I share this so that you gain some insight into how my mind works. I will touch upon this topic again and provide additional tips, insights, and suggestions to help you on your journey. For now, I think these three are just right!

Keep going, keep growing, keep glowing… thank you for reading,

Elaine Margarita 

Reflection: To Share or Not to Share? That is the Question 

When I transitioned out of the classroom and into the role of instructional coach, I was eager to learn how to be a teacher leader without coming across as a pushy know-it-all. Coincidently, during this time, members of my #PLN, or professional learning community, were starting a book study of the text “Dare to Lead” by Brene Brown. I wanted to join in, but I was nervous. No, I was highly intimidated! The group consisted of supervisors, principals, directors, and even an assistant superintendent. Their titles evoked a sense of insecurity that was foreign to me. I did not feel my experiences would allow me to relate or engage in the discussion. I bought the book, joined the group, and immediately thought, “What did I just do?” 

When the book study group met, I faced another dilemma: How could I show up, without letting them know that I felt like a fraud? Should I even share my thoughts? Should I just nod in agreement? Should I bring a bag of Halls and pretend like it hurts to talk? I’d have to come up with something clever. To my surprise, the group was not as intimidating as I thought it would be (I blame overthinking, again). Sure, they had these fancy leader titles, but they were eager learners… just… like… ME.  

That experience brought forth a sense of enlightenment. I learned the power of being open and honest with myself and others. There, I also realized that leadership is not about knowing ALL… THE… THINGS, nor is it about dictating expectations and enforcing rules. I learned that leaders continuously learn and grow as they strive to improve their leadership practice and build their teams. To my surprise, while I did not yet have a formal leadership title, I could participate by sharing my insights and being open about my experiences. I learned from the group, and I’d like to think that the group learned from me, too.

Those considering a transition into leadership need to know that openness is a critical leadership skill. You have to be open and honest with yourself. Reflecting on your experiences, acknowledging strengths and weaknesses, and creating your personal growth and development plan will help you continuously improve your skill sets. 

Openness is just as crucial if you are in a leadership position. Being open and transparent with your teams helps facilitate positive work and learning environments. Keep your teams informed of the “why” or reasons behind certain decisions. Be humble about things you may not have the answers to YET. While this idea may seem daunting, your teams will appreciate your honesty. For tips on fostering openness, check out Leadership Tip: How to Foster Openness and Transparency.

Keep going, keep growing, keep glowing… thank you for reading,

Elaine Margarita 

PS. In case you are wondering, I brought a bag of cherry-flavored Halls cough drops to the book study meeting. It was the perfect backup plan!  

What’s in a name?

Real TALK time, coming up with a name for this blog was EXTREMELY difficult. I drafted about a dozen different domain names. Once I made my decision, I eagerly purchased the name only to find out it was already someone else’s name. I know what you’re thinking… I should have Googled it first. I completely agree! I should have looked up every name I’d written down, but I let the excitement get the best of me. Fortunately and after much thought, I came up with THE perfect name. Well, at least I think it’s perfect!

Just in case you’re wondering what the term “glow up” actually means, here’s a basic definition I found through online research:

“Glow up” is considered slang. It indicates a significant transformation or improvement in a person’s appearance, confidence, or overall life situation over time. It’s also used to describe someone who has undergone positive changes in their physical appearance, style, self-esteem, or personal development.

This term is PERFECT because, well, effective leaders do GLOW UP! Think about it… learning and growing come with the role. Mistakes are often made and learning inevitably happens. I am by no means perfect. What I do have is the desire to continue to learn, improve my practice, and lead efficiently and effectively.

For the purpose of this leadership blog, “GLOW UP” is an acronym that encompasses effective leadership characteristics like: prioritizing Growth, Leading by example, promoting Openness, demonstrating Wisdom, fostering Unity, and instilling a sense of Purpose.

Let’s take a deeper look into the meaning of “GLOW UP” as it relates to this blog:

G – Growth: Effective leaders prioritize personal and professional growth, both for themselves and their team members.

L – Leadership: Instructional leaders lead by example, demonstrating the qualities and behaviors they expect from their team. They understand that coaching and mentoring are essential for leadership success.

O – Openness: Humble leaders foster an environment of openness and transparency, encouraging honest communication and feedback.

W – Wisdom: Wise leaders make informed decisions based on experience and knowledge, guiding their teams towards success.

U – Unity: Collaborative leaders promote unity and collaboration among team members. They recognize the strength of diversity and teamwork and promote trust, and engagement.

P – Purpose: Purposeful leaders instill a sense of collective purpose and meaning in their teams, aligning everyone’s efforts with a shared vision.

As I glow up in my leadership journey, I have come to the realization that I embrace a combination of leadership styles. That is why creating an acronym that demonstrates that leadership is multifaceted was important to me. GLOW UP is my way of sharing this notion with all of you.

I hope my words inspire you to continue to glow up as leaders even in times when you may feel your light is dim (don’t worry, that happens to me a lot. I will share with you my tips and strategies to reignite your glow).

For now, I plan on publishing new blog posts on Sundays. If, however, you feel inclined to ask me a question or would like me to elaborate or share further insight on a topic, feel free to message me. I thank those of you that bravely asked “why glow up?” Thank you for taking the time out of your busy day to read this blog. I appreciate you!

Peace and love,

Elaine Margarita

Here are a couple of question stems to help you reflect on this post:

  • What thoughts came to your mind as you read through this post?
  • How do you feel after reading the meaning of glow up in relation to your leadership practice?

Taking a Reflective Approach: Why Blog?

Welcome to the first post in my leadership tips, strategies, and reflection blog. I’m excited about this journey and want to share the reasons behind this “stepping out of my comfort zone” move!

First and foremost… Why Not? Leadership is an ever-evolving journey. It is one filled with challenges, successes, and a never-ending quest for personal and professional growth. Throughout my own leadership path, I’ve come to appreciate the profound impact that reflection has played on my professional growth and development. It’s not just about moving forward; it’s about moving forward with intention, purpose, and an unwavering commitment to self-improvement. So why not jumpstart my leadership reflections via a blog? Besides, I’ve spent the last three years writing and reading, reading and writing my dissertation along with other writing projects; but, since my defense, I felt like something was missing.

And so… here I am, embarking on another challenge. Here are my top four reasons for blogging:

1. Personal Growth: I believe that leadership is not a destination but a continuous journey. It’s a journey where we learn, adapt, and evolve. Through this blog, I hope to document my own growth, learn from my experiences, and inspire others to embark on their own quests for personal and professional development, too.

2. Shared Learning: My favorite hashtag is #bettertogether which suggests that leadership isn’t a solitary endeavor. It thrives in the exchange of ideas, experiences, and insights. This blog is a platform where I intend to share my experiences, the lessons I’ve learned, and the strategies that have worked for me. But more importantly, it’s a space for dialogue. I look forward to learning from you, too. I hope you share your thoughts and ideas in response to some of my blog posts.

3. Inspiring Emerging Leaders: I firmly believe that leadership is not defined by titles or positions but by actions, mindset, and a willingness to make a positive impact. Whether you’re a veteran or just starting your leadership journey, I hope this blog will serve as a source of inspiration and guidance, helping you to realize your leadership potential and take meaningful steps toward your goals.

4. Time for Reflection: Reflection is a powerful tool for personal and professional growth. It allows us to pause, examine our experiences, and gain valuable insights. I want to emphasize the importance of reflection as an intentional practice. I often reflect on my day, interactions with others, things that didn’t go as planned, and things that actually worked out.

I’d love it if you joined me on this journey. I look forward to learning, leading, and GLOWING UP with you all.

Peace and love,

Elaine