Repeatedly we have heard the same message when discussing school strategies for enrollment, communication and innovation planning:

Every school goes through rocky periods, where conflict causes hurt feelings, dissension, and division. In such difficult times, how can you minimize the emotional and cultural damage in order to sustain your noble mission? What is the best way to model the utmost in leadership? Is a pattern of "ungrace" limiting your growth potential?

How important is loyalty among your faculty and families? Critical, right? Then it just makes sense to invest the time and resources to deepen and strengthen those relationships.

One of the best at building loyalty with clients was Harvey McKay, author of the book, How to Swim with the Sharks Without Being Eaten Alive. He developed a precise system for collecting information that helped him truly know his clients at a deeper level, and he used this data to engage them in meaningful conversation, to acknowledge special events and milestones, and to express genuine care.

What would you do if your personal emails were exposed to the world? Could some of the comments you made in "private" be misconstrued or become downright embarrassing? Let's look at at some leadership insights from the Tom Brady email leak by Roger Goodell and the National Football League.

Part of the NFL's investigation of the alleged deflation of footballs by the New England Patriots in last season's playoffs included the confiscation and release of personal email exchanges between Tom Brady and some friends. A few emails that received relentless media and social media attention regards the never-ending comparison between Brady and Peyton Manning, and Brady's desire to be the best.

Across many parts of the US, school boards and superintendents are facing a difficult dilemma: Close school because of the threat of hazardous conditions caused by the weather or take a chance that the Weather Channel is wrong. (Did I really say that??) The risks of this decision can be intimidating and the rewards short-lived.

Similar to successful business executives, more school administrators and board members are achieving accelerated school improvement through coaching. They are learning to rapidly overcoming the learning curve and navigate the challenges to reach higher performance and results.

"People often say that motivation doesn't last. Well, neither does bathing - that's why we recommend it daily."--Zig Ziglar

How was your week? On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate your results from the last 7 days?

Forrest Gump's momma said, "Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get." That's true, but it can also be said that, "Life is like a box of dental floss. Your habits predict your future."

Life extending benefits in the box

Georgia's Board of Education decided to exercise the state's right to determine how the children in its schools will raise money and eat. No "damn Yankee" nor anyone from D.C. is going to keep these Peach State students from participating in the sale of unhealthy foods during the school day. (Dadgumit!)

Like so many others I was saddened to read about the death of actor/comedian Robin Williams. As a long time fan of his many characters over the years, it struck me how such a talented person struggled in so many ways. Though his bouts with depression and addiction have been written about, I was more knowledgable about the roles than the reality.