#Read16in16

There are no rules - only reading! Share your reading joy, learning, and progress. 

The goal? Read 16 books in 2016.

The choice of books is your own. It's your reading journey.

Daniel Pink says three things motivate: purpose, mastery, and autonomy. 

Purpose of #Read16in16? To promote a reading culture - to be part of something bigger than ourselves - to inspire ourselves and each other to read.  
Mastery? We see our own progress - beginning, savoring, and finishing books.
Autonomy? We each make your own "reading playlist." Together we encourage each other by sharing our reading journey to #Read16in16.

With the goal to finish more of the many books I want to read and to grow a culture of continuous learning, #Read14in14 was started in January of 2014. #Read14in14 was shared publicly in my school district and on Twitter to hold myself accountable and to inspire us to read and talk about our reading. The self-accountability and shared commitment with others in my school district and on Twitter worked. I read more than 14 books. My husband read more than 14 books and so did many others. Even more good things happened with #Read15in15.

The creative social aspect of #Read14in14 and #Read15in15 took on its own life as I am sure it will with #Read16in16. Teachers posted about each book read on their classroom door, in hallways, on bulletin boards. Libraries encouraged students to read at least 14 books in the year. Madison Elementary students, where my husband, @TklineTom is principal, encouraged by Tom and their "FunBrarian," @BeckyDenzer, read over 14,000 books in five months. District employees shared their reading journey by listing books completed and books currently being read in their email signature. Educators wrote blogs tracking and reflecting on their "reading year" and shared how journaling about their reading positively impacted them.

These very public efforts encourage a learning culture and begin conversations about our learning and reading joy.

Join us! Start a "reading revival, revolution, renaissance" in yourself and with your students and colleagues in 2016! Make it your own. Share your reading excitement and inspire others by using the hashtag, #Read16in16 as you begin, gain insight, and finish books. Interact with and encourage each other on the journey.

Best wishes for a great year of learning and growing together! 

Looking for a book to add to your #Read16in16 playlist? 

Drive by @DanielPink is a great place to motivate yourself forward.

 

"Clarence" Leadership

It's a Wonderful Life has always struck me as a leadership parable. Centering on George Bailey, a man who puts his aspirations on hold for the good of others and his community. People rally around George's choices to put others first. He inspires the people around him. The world needs more George Bailey's. Yet, an overlooked leadership example in the movie is Clarence. Without Clarence, George ends up in the river and Bedford Falls becomes Potterville.

Clarence is an angel, but his actions and words don't have to be reserved for the heavenly. We may not be able to show an individual how a whole community would be impacted if they had never been born, but Clarence's leadership is more accessible than we may think. Clarence simply makes the time to let George know how much he matters, how purposeful his life is and therefore, how wonderful.

Letting others know how much they matter, how much their work matters, should not be reserved for angels striving to get their wings. We can all bring a little more Heaven to Earth each and every day. We can strive to be more like Clarence for the people in our lives.

Who can you be "a Clarence" for today? There are lots of George Bailey's out there who need you.


For more on leading through small acts that have a big impact watch the @nuancedrew TEDtalk, Everyday Leadership. Books that inspire are The Energy Bus by @jongordon11 and the Three Signs of a Miserable Job @patricklencioni.