The future's in the air, can feel it everywhere, blowing with the wind of change (Scorpions)

Photo by Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash

change

 noun  

difference

1. the act or result of something becoming different 

replacing something

2. the process of replacing something with something new or different 
3. 
   

One of the standing truisms around my school is that change is the only constant and, therefore, you need to be adaptable, receptive to change, to work here.

Change is messy. That's why reams (zigabits) have been written about it. Books, careers, doctorate theses - you name it - all devoted to the process and advice given to adjust or else get left behind (Dr Johnson's Who Moved My Cheese is a famous take on it that I especially enjoy reading from time to time - Move with the cheese!)

One of the key principles of the All Blacks' philosophy is - when at the top of your game, change your game.

Like I said, it can be a messy process. They find that out from time to time by losing a game (most recently to Argentina for the first time, so they changed/adapted and beat them 38 nil a week later).

Sometimes change in education feels glacial (it's a bit oil tanker-ish after all). At other times, mysteriously fast. Sometimes it's managed well, at other times - not so well.

One of the best pieces of advice I've come across when change isn't managed well (outside of Who Moved My Cheese): 'The truth is, unless you let go, unless you forgive yourself, unless you forgive the situation, unless you realize that the situation is over, you cannot move forward.' (Steve Maraboli).

Handling change the way Donald Trump is currently doing is only leading to pain for him and others.

At the end of the day, when all is said and done, when push comes to shove, I agree with Ginni Rometty who says, 'Growth and comfort do not coexist.' 

Start again (Richie McCaw)

That's a great, succinct life lesson from Richie. In his All Black context it was a case of reminding himself that he had to prove himself again, and again, every day.

Legacy, the book about applying lessons from the All Blacks to business and life by James Kerr, had been sitting on my shelf at school for a year before I read it.

It was worth the wait.

Here are some bookmarks from my reading:

The truth is that the story we tell about our life becomes the story of our life. The narrative we tell our team, business, brand, organisation or family becomes the story others eventually tell about us. 

"I believe that leadership begins and ends with authenticity, It's being yourself, being the person you were created to be" - Harvard Business School professor Bill George.

These are interesting and relevant thoughts for me, following on from my previous post about new starts, first impressions, and relentless positivity.

The lesson is simple: be authentic (a lesson I've learned over the years - staff, students and parent can easily see when you're not being yourself).

Oh, my old man's an All Black, he wears the silver fern (Howard Morrison Quartet)

Yesterday (Sunday Roctober 9) was a pretty tough day. Loads of stress, shouting, banging on tables frustration, heated arguments and ultimately - relief.

Yes The All Blacks played Argentina in the quarter finals of the world cup and we were at work!!

In between visiting classrooms, meeting with the Principal and watching the English teachers doing their reading program I kept an eye on proceedings at Auckland's Eden Park. A place I know well.

A colleague sent me a link to a live stream of the game (bless him) and so the kiwi advisors clustered around computers or checked on the score as they came and went about their business.

The locals think we're mad (they checked out the images but all those men running around throwing a ball away from themselves confused them no end).

We'll do it all again next Sunday at work when the mighty All Blacks take on Australia at fortress Eden Park.

Go the ABs!!