This question's been ringing in my mind for the better part of this week...in a good way.
It came from a leader I respect a great deal. Someone whose work I seek to imitate often. An award winning colleague, an all-round great guy, and also, a published author.
No, I'm not writing a book.
What I appreciated about this question is that is sparked a question in my mind.
Why am I doing this? Why am I writing?
I am NOT writing to:
gain fame or fortune.
get followers, likes, or retweets.
get attention (positive or negative) or accolades.
So why AM I writing then?
to think aloud, take risks, and even make mistakes.
to honor a commitment I made publicly.
to challenge myself to sustain a habit.
to grow my perspective.
to learn.
(Just kidding.)
In a conversation with a leadership coach, we discussed what defines a leader's legacy. What lasting impression will I leave after years or decades in one place in one role? This is an important question for any of us to ask ourselves.
His challenge to me: Write a letter to future students who will attend the school I lead.
At the time, I was intrigued by the idea. What would I write to the next generation of kids?
I never wrote that letter.
And I'm not sure why.
Maybe it's because I was unclear on how to articulate my leadership purpose.
Lucky for me, there's still time to act. And this is one leadership opportunity I refuse to miss.
365 days of shipping may just provide me with the content of that letter.
This process is clarifying my values and priorities, "non-negotiables" and "hills I'd die on" for kids, community, and the profession I love. It is and will continue to surface what matters.
In the process, I have and I will continue to do some disrupting, whether I intend to, or not.
Maybe my writing will disrupt your thinking. Or disrupt the system from within the system. Or disrupt my thinking and the leadership assertions I hold. Or (most likely) all of the above.
As of this post, that's why I write: legacy, intellectual disruption, and learning.
Maybe I'm writing a letter. I'm definitely thinking and learning. But I'm not writing a book.