President's Perspective

SETTING 2024 LEADERSHIP GOALS

Dr. Karla Neathery, AAEA Board President

As you set goals for 2024, consider pursuing significance, not just success. In pursuing professional success, it's easy for many of us to focus on money and titles as targets. However, chasing these milestones can blind us to more meaningful goals. True success comes from focusing on the work, aiming to be the best, and adding value to others. Leaders should aspire to serve, empower, and develop those under their guidance. By lifting others, we rise. This year, let's try to shift our focus from chasing success to creating significance through meaningful contributions.

Many of us see moving through our to-do list as progress. It is typical to see leaders rushing from meeting to meeting and responding to fires that leaves very little time for reflection and planning. When you focus only on motion, you let others set the pace and determine the outcome. Let’s focus on the endpoint and work backward, removing obstacles and navigating around them.

Embrace diverse perspectives. In decision-making, especially when consensus is easy to achieve, take a moment to pause and reflect. Consider alternative viewpoints and surround yourself with individuals who think differently. A diverse circle of leaders provide different perspectives, unveiling insights and possibilities that might remain hidden.

Together, let's make 2024 a year of transformative leadership in education!