International Christian school leaders, doing alright does not equal flourishing! So, don’t be satisfied with doing alright—instead, strive to flourish! Why?
- Because God calls you to flourish, not just to do alright.
- Because when you’re flourishing, you serve more effectively because you’re growing and thriving (instead of just doing OK, good enough).
- Because your international Christian school needs flourishing leaders who “function at extraordinarily high levels—both psychologically and socially. They’re not simply people who feel good. Flourishing goes beyond simply happiness or satisfaction with life. Beyond feeling good, they’re also doing good—adding value to the world” (Positivity: Top-Notch Research Reveals the 3-to-1 Ratio That Will Change Your Life, 2009, p. 17).
Let me explain further by providing a description of what it looks like for leaders to experience each of the 5 elements of flourishing at the “doing alright” level and at the “flourishing” level:
(A) Passionate purpose:
- Doing alright leaders experience decision-making that is somewhat guided by purpose statements, some shared ownership for school improvement and mission achievement, and a board that monitors the leaders’ responsibilities.
- Flourishing leaders consistently experience decision-making that is guided by and aligned with the purpose statements, deeply shared ownership for school improvement and mission achievement (see Construct: Responsibility, p. 14), and an inspiring board that rigorously monitors the implementation of the purpose statements.
(B) Resilient well-being:
- Doing alright leaders experience some exercise and some daily devotions, a Christ-centered environment, and a supportive board.
- Flourishing leaders consistently experience regular exercise and daily devotions; a safe, nurturing, Christ-centered environment; and a supportive board that monitors the leaders’ well-being and provides proactive care.
(C) Healthy relationships:
- Doing alright leaders experience a leadership team that exhibits vulnerability and healthy conflict, and a supportive Christ-centered board.
- Flourishing leaders consistently experience a leadership team that exhibits transparency, vulnerability, healthy conflict, commitment, accountability, and a focus on team results; and a trustworthy, supportive, respectful, empowering Christ-centered board.
(D) Transformative learning:
- Doing alright leaders experience professional development, professional organizations, and feedback.
- Flourishing leaders consistently experience professional development aligned with individual, team, and schoolwide goals (see Construct: Professional Development, p. 16); participation in coaching sessions, in professional organizations, and on accreditation teams; and frequent feedback—criticism that is kind and clear, praise that is specific and sincere (see Construct: Feedback, p. 16).
(E) Helpful resources:
- Doing alright leaders experience an adequate work space; plans, policies, and procedures; and discussions about resource management and resource planning.
- Flourishing leaders consistently experience a welcoming work space; plans, policies, and procedures that result in effective, efficient decision-making; and regular discussions about resource management and resource planning that reflect agile, strategic, mission-centered thinking (see Construct: Resources and Resource Planning, p. 17).
Bottom line: Strive to flourish and to help others flourish!
Here are some related resources:
- What do flourishing leaders at international Christian consistently experience?
- For a student, what’s the difference between doing pretty well and flourishing?
- What’s the difference between passionless purpose and passionate purpose?
- We can flourish without experiencing resilient well-being, right?
Photo by Ann H
What about you? What’s the difference between doing alright and flourishing? For a leader, what does it look like to be doing alright for each of the 5 elements of flourishing? For leader, what does it look like to be flourishing in each of the 5 elements of flourishing? What’s 1 action step you can take to toward flourishing?
Get flourishing!
Michael
Get Flourishing 