wolff-learning-icqu2

Team

Sun, 27 Apr 2025 13:58:31 GMT

Team

The #WolffWay

W- Work ethic

O- Off time

L- Lead with integrity

F- Find your passion

F- Find a way

Leaders are only as good as the individuals who make up their team.

It’s time for me to acknowledge the power of teamwork. Teams help us find ways to make positive changes in our lives, organizations, and the environments in which we live.

For me, sports taught the value of teamwork. As a player, coach, and referee, I learned that different people bring unique strengths to the table. Most have strong ethics, but all have a role to play. I’m fortunate to be surrounded by a great team both personally and professionally.

Allow me to begin with our Human Resources team. We have three M's and a J—Megan Buck, Mary Alice Kearns, Maya Tigue, and Jillian Klocko—who make exceptionally strong contributions every day. Each brings a range of strengths to the table and activates them as needed. Not only do I benefit from their individual skills, but so does every employee of the Scranton School District. They invest in themselves. They work together as a team. They even laugh at my jokes when I’m not funny. It really works well.

Our team also holds down the fort when I’m at a conference or event. Over the past few weeks, I attended two conferences—one at the University of Virginia and another in Chicago for an Institute for Education Innovation (IEI) event. The IEI event was particularly satisfying. I met district leaders from all over the country and listened to Superintendents and former Superintendents who have faced the same challenges we face in education. It’s interesting—school district leaders from across the country often face very similar issues. One company in particular may even provide an opportunity for our district to invest further in our people. I’m excited about it. Helping others is the name of the game.

I’ve had these opportunities because I’m part of a team with a leader who values education and investing in people. Thank you, Dr. Keating.

I cannot overstate the value of getting out, listening, and learning from others. It doesn’t matter what field you’re in—making connections, discovering new solutions, and bringing back fresh ideas benefits everyone. You may return with something you can use. Or you may hear about something that doesn’t work for your team, but it sparks a new idea anyway.

Get off the porch. Meet new people. Learn new things.

I’m able to get off the porch because of the support of my wife, Molly, and our families. Molly holds down the fort at home while I’m away. She keeps the train moving and holds everything together during tough times. Thank you, Molly!

Quality teams work hard, live with integrity, and find ways to get the job done. I’m extremely grateful for the teams I’m part of in my life. If you’re not part of a quality team, consider being the change you want to see—or join a new team.

Either way, you got this.

Runners

Sun, 30 Mar 2025 21:54:38 GMT

Runners

The #WolffWay

W- Work ethic

O- Off time

L- Lead with integrity

F- Find your passion

F- Find a way

Sometimes you encounter a circumstance where all of the Wolff Way principles come together in a nice, neat package. This might involve a person, a situation, an event, or an organization.

The Scranton School District community recently participated in one of these circumstances, made possible by the Scranton High School Boys' Basketball Team Booster Club, led by Karen Battaglia and her team.

In 2015, an inspiring educator named Ron Clark wrote a book titled Move Your Bus. The central theme of the book is moving a school or organization in a positive direction. Ron uses a bus as a metaphor for the organization. The bus doesn’t have any gas, so for the bus to move, it depends on people. He describes the types of people on the bus, including drivers, riders, walkers, joggers, and runners. It’s a great book to read, and in addition to providing quality strategies, it encourages self-reflection.

Runners work hard, arrive early, stay late, and are the strongest contributors to moving the bus (your organization) forward. They see the big picture and will do just about anything to drive the organization toward positive change.

Karen Battaglia and her booster club team members are runners.

For years, the program they supported functioned with extremely limited funds, but despite these limitations, the basketball team saw tremendous success. Over the past two years, Karen and her team flipped the script. They invited the Harlem Wizards to the school for a fundraiser. The Wizards' basketball event is structured similarly to the Harlem Globetrotters but is designed to raise funds by performing in schools. Both events were tremendously successful, drawing a packed gym.

Pulling off such a successful event requires runners to make it happen. The booster club booked and managed the event, sought out sponsorships, and organized promotional days in schools with the Wizards leading fun, positive message-filled assemblies. The energy during the assemblies and the actual event was incredible—families together, happy kids, faculty members playing and officiating the game, big smiles, and boundless enthusiasm. The entire Scranton School District community benefited from these events. The Wizards did a tremendous job, and I would recommend them to any school district or organization.

The funds raised helped the Scranton High School basketball team purchase training equipment, participate in camps, and access resources previously unavailable to them.

There are a number of similar qualities between runners and the Wolff Way.

Runners have strong work ethics. They put in significant hours to make things happen.
Runners find off-time opportunities. They keep the bus moving, even when they aren’t moving at lightning speed.
Runners lead with integrity. They see the big picture and always do the right thing.
Runners have passion. They know their "why," and helping others makes them (and others!) feel alive.
Runners find a way. Despite the large task at hand, they break it into smaller, manageable pieces and aren’t afraid to get off the porch.

The Scranton School District is fortunate to have many runners, and our most recent example is Karen Battaglia and her booster club teammates.

We thank all of you for your hard work and for being exemplary examples of living the Wolff Way.

Keep after it out there, there's no reason why you can't be next.

#wolffway

No brakes, but off the pedal

Sun, 23 Mar 2025 21:21:23 GMT

No brakes, but off the pedal

The #WolffWay

W- Work ethic

O- Off time

L- Lead with integrity

F- Find your passion

F- Find a way

Keep going but sometimes we need to take the foot off the pedal.

The O in the Wolff Way is for Off Time. This is an essential component for our body and mind to recharge. If we keep the pedal all the way down for too long, we begin to see changes in our mental, emotional, and physical health. As I wrote in the O-Off Time blog entry, I know I can't keep the (lightning) fast pace. I know I wear down.

I have had the pedal down for an extended stretch. I need a breather from the lightning fast pace.

Sooo, with that in mind I thought I thought this would be a good time to share a blog I wrote on August 24, 2018. It still applies today. At that time I was a principal of an elementary school and finding my footing in the new role. You can find it below.

The song is from the Dave Matthews Band:

One of my favorite artists begins a song:

"To change the world, start with one step.

However small, the first step is hardest of all.

Once you get your gate, you will walk in tall".

Although we all may not have plans to change the world, I think this thought process is a great starting point for any big change, adjustment, or challenge we face in our lives. In the past I have used these lyrics for my basketball teams and school staff to focus on the little things. Not to get overwhelmed by a big obstacle. To take that first step.

This applies to all areas of our life. There are times we feel that a change, adjustment, or challenge cannot be accomplished because we look at the entire task at once. This situation requires us to break it down piece by piece. Small goal by small goal. Small step by small step.

Once you begin to reach these small goals, they start to add up. Small goals become big goals. You gain confidence. You get your gate.

Take on your challenge whether it is mental, physical, social, or emotional in nature.

Don't be afraid to walk in tall.

Get It

Idea factory

Sun, 16 Mar 2025 23:14:09 GMT

This is a subtitle for your new post

W- Work ethic

O- Off time

L- Lead/live with integrity

F- Find your passion

F- Find a way

This past week, I was fortunate enough to be invited to participate in the University of Virginia's PLE program. The Partnership for Leaders in Education (PLE) program is designed to increase the capacity of leaders in education. I am thankful to my district superintendent, Dr. Erin Keating, for providing this opportunity. My colleague, Mr. DeLuca, also played a role in this opportunity. I appreciate him as well.

Before I get into the conference itself, I want to share an experience I had prior to Day 1. As we traveled down to UVA, my wife texted me and asked if I needed the bag in the foyer of our house.

Damn. I had forgotten the garment bag with my suits and dress shirts in it. Not going to lie, I panicked a little. It had been a busy week in preparation for leaving. I always make my best effort to get as much done as possible before I’m out of the office.

I had to find a way. Once we arrived at the university, I was able to find a shopping center nearby. Small problem: I also had to attend a class at the same time I needed to shop.

Next thing I know, I'm walking around the store shopping for a suit, dress shirts, and shoes while actively participating in my class via Zoom. It was a little weird, but I got the job done.

And back to the conference...

The experience of attending the University of Virginia's Partnership for Leaders in Education was rewarding, reflective, and inspiring. Collaborating with educators from around the country was extremely beneficial. Our Scranton School District team grew stronger throughout our time together. It was awesome to talk about education with a focus on kids.

A few things from the conference:

We ate at a place called Miller's, where the Dave Matthews Band started. My wife and I went once. It was cool to be there again. DMB is one of my favorites.
I picked up a saying: "Focus on improvement, not complaining." I love this. We often focus on complaining instead of seeking solutions. Committing to this sounds like an idea I can get behind.
I learned a new term: "help-rejecting complainers." There is certainly a time to get things off your chest, but move on. Seek solutions and ask for help if needed. I like the idea of finding solutions.
Change takes work, but it can happen. Others have done it. This idea has been been proven time and again.
Sharing ideas about what worked for other people is a good thing. Love this idea.
Sometimes the answer is in the room, and sometimes it's outside the room. I found this particularly interesting but accurate. Sometimes we have the answer within our group; other times, we need to look outside the group. Improvement is the goal—it doesn’t matter where the answer comes from. Love this idea.
Getting off the porch and learning from people outside our organization can be invigorating. The same problems exist everywhere. Solutions are there. Don’t be afraid to take a healthy risk. You know how I feel about this idea.

Key takeaways:

Find a way to get the job done. Scenarios will present themselves; find a way.
Don’t be afraid to go outside your circle.
Learn from others. Not everything will apply to you, but take what you can.
People everywhere have the same issues you do, whether as individuals or organizations. Seek discussions and solutions.
Solutions are not always in front of us. Put yourself out there.
I have always enjoyed putting myself in new situations to meet new people and find new solutions. This experience was no different.

Get off the porch. Learn. Grow. Improve.

#wolffway

Shoot your shot

Sun, 09 Mar 2025 22:30:32 GMT

Shoot your shot

W- Work ethic

O- Off time

L- Lead/live with integrity

F- Find your passion

F- Find a way

Wayne Gretzky, one of the best hockey players to ever play, once famously said, "You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take."

Shoot your shot.

Shooting your shot falls under two of the Wolff Way principles: Find Your Passion and Find a Way.

When we find our passion, it becomes easier to find purpose in our lives and in our work. When we find purpose, we feel alive.

When we feel alive, we put more effort into the tasks in front of us, often setting and achieving goals with greater frequency. There's more pep in our step. Quite frankly, it feels good having the energy and wind behind us to get after it.

It’s not uncommon to go through highs and lows in our lives and workplaces. There are normal ebbs and flows we all experience. We all go through struggles. If you're going through a tough time, find something you're passionate about. Find your purpose. If you're lucky, your purpose aligns with the ability to put a roof over your head, food on the table, and clothes on your back. It could be helping others, getting behind a movement you believe in, or picking up a new skill to start or advance in your career.

This past week, our family was fortunate to visit Walt Disney World. In the Magic Kingdom, there is a presentation with fireworks at night. Our family watched the show, which was really cool. There was a digital light show projected onto the castle and a number of inspirational words spoken to the crowd. To paraphrase one of the messages: Unlock your magic and follow your dreams. I couldn’t help but say out loud, “I’m working on it.”

It is a privilege to serve the people in my school community as a Director of Human Resources. Educating and inspiring others with Wolff Learning supplements my job. Working with kids and educators is my passion.

This may change at different stages of our lives. Things can become stale. Know that you and your purpose may change as you get older or experience a life-changing event. The key is to keep searching and improving.

We all have magic. We all have talents that are waiting to be unlocked. Find yours.

When you find your passion and purpose, it may become clearer (not necessarily easier!) to find ways to get the job done. Finding a way often requires us to get off the porch. Getting off the porch means taking a healthy risk and shooting your shot. This might involve starting your own plumbing business after learning the trade. It could mean acquiring more skills in your career for a new position. It might even be starting your own law firm after honing your skills in law.

Getting off the porch is a healthy risk. Sure, we can take mini-steps off the porch, but leaps require a level of planning and commitment. A good example is when my brother Greg was working in a manual labor job. He decided one day it wasn’t what he wanted to do for the rest of his life. Jobs like these are needed and admirable, but he knew it wasn’t for him. He got off the porch, earned an associate’s degree, and became a firefighter, which he thoroughly enjoyed. Later in his career, he got off the porch again by starting his own business, Safety Services and Consulting in Dunmore, PA. He shot his shot. And he made it.

We all have skills and talents to follow our passion. We all can find a way to get the job done.

Find your passion. Find your purpose. Get the wind behind your sails. Get off the porch.

Shoot your shot.

Good Juju

Sun, 02 Mar 2025 22:57:21 GMT

Good Juju

W- Work ethic

O- Off time

L- Lead/live with integrity

F- Find your passion

F- Find a way

What Goes Around Comes Around

I have always been a strong believer in sending out good juju into the universe. This aligns with the "Lead and Live with Integrity" principle of The Wolff Way.

You won't find "good juju" in the dictionary. My interpretation of good juju is doing the right thing, being kind, and helping others, whether people are watching or not. It could also be described as sending out positive vibes.

Good deeds often go unnoticed. There are times when we can't or won't celebrate these good deeds. However, being noticed or celebrated for a good deed should never be the reason for doing it. People don't do good deeds because they think it will come back around to them. They do it to be good humans and to treat others the way they want to be treated.

I believe that good deeds do come back around. On the other hand, not doing the right thing, not being kind, or not helping others can be called bad juju.

In my experience, the universe has a funny way of sending these acts back to us at some point. It might not happen this week, this month, or even this decade, but it always comes back.

What goes around, comes around. Work hard to send out good juju, and it will come back around.

The Rally

Sun, 23 Feb 2025 22:37:14 GMT

The Rally

The #WolffWay

W- Work ethic

O- Off time

L- Lead with integrity

F- Find your passion

F- Find a way

I love me a good rally. A successful rally falls under the F—Find a Way Wolff Way principle.

Merriam-Webster defines a rally as "to muster for a common cause."

Recently, I’ve witnessed two great rallies for a common cause. Before we dive into those, I’d like to share one of my favorite rallies of all time.

From 2000–2003, I was the Freshman Boys’ Basketball Coach at West Scranton High School. In local hoops, you typically face each league opponent both at home and away. One year, our team faced a particular opponent at their gym in the first game, and we lost by 48 points. Our team was clearly upset by the loss. We activated our work ethic and improved as the season progressed.

When the opponent came to our house, we were fired up. We were laser-focused. We got knocked down, but man, did we get back up. In the second game, after several clutch performances, we won by 3 points. We rallied and produced a 51-point turnaround. It was such a great experience for our kids. Our team showed resilience and grit.

Recently, I’ve been a part of two great rallies.

As the Director of Human Resources for the Scranton School District, I initiated a STEP IT UP competition during a stretch in the winter. The friendly competition pitted the West Scranton High School community against the Scranton High School community. Staff members were required to log and submit their steps.

Since winter months in Northeastern Pennsylvania can be trying on people's mental and emotional health, I wanted to get people moving. The thought process was that if we increased our daily movement, it would produce a number of benefits. Increased movement would (hopefully) improve the mental and emotional health of staff, improve our instruction, and keep our buildings clean. It would also improve culture and morale for our staff.

The Scranton School District community logged over 8,000,000 steps in the first two years. I set goals for our community. The Scranton School District rallied. To date, with about two weeks left, our staff has logged over 3,600,000 steps. If you convert steps to miles, we’ve logged over 1,830 miles. We may double our total number of steps from the first two years in this year alone. Impressive.

The second rally I’m currently involved in is with the Borough of Dunmore, PA. Wolff Learning worked with the local community center to secure a site for a K–3 basketball camp. Parents and family members have rallied to get their children moving and learning more about the game of basketball. Along with help from the Scranton community and others, the camp in Dunmore sold out in two days. There is now a waiting list. I received a text from a parent who said, "Once Dunmore heard about it, everyone wanted to go." The Dunmore community is renowned for its ability to rally. The desire to support their children is on full display.

As leaders, it can be difficult to get a group to muster for a common cause. It can be a challenge to get team members all "pulling on the rope in the same direction." But when the cause is positive and driven by the right reasons, it becomes easier. People activate their work ethic. They find a way. I've been very fortunate to be a part of many rallies, most recently with the Scranton School District staff and the Borough of Dunmore.

I love me a good rally.

Keep after it out there.

#wolffway

Who am I?

Sun, 16 Feb 2025 01:52:33 GMT

Who am I?

The #WolffWay

W- Work ethic

O- Off time

L- Lead/live with integrity

F- Find your passion

F- Find a way

Who Am I?

This question has existed since the beginning of time, whether consciously or subconsciously.

During my undergraduate coursework, I learned about a psychoanalyst named Erik Erikson, who developed a theory of identity development. I won’t delve too deeply into the theory, but I’ll discuss real-world scenarios related to it. I’m not smart enough to dig deep into the theory! In summary, the question “Who am I?” permeates our development at different stages of our lives.

The early years of my educational career were spent teaching and coaching students at the 7-12 grade levels, mostly high school-aged. My life changed when I became an assistant principal at the intermediate (grades 6-8) level. I don’t remember who made this statement to me at the time, but it stuck in my head:

“In intermediate school, kids are trying to figure out who they are; in high school, they have a pretty good idea of which group they belong to.”

These years can be extremely challenging for young people to navigate. If you have a child or work at that grade level, you know exactly what I’m talking about. I know I struggled during this time. That doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen earlier in life, but it often becomes more evident at this stage. Are they an athlete? Are they artistic? Are they into plays? Do they do well in school? Are they good at performing tasks with their hands? Do they not have a group and find "trouble" to be their identity? Do they become the party kid?

Through experimentation and likely plenty of self-reflection, they often find their group by high school. They may play sports, begin to fully explore their artistic talents, join the play, earn membership in the honor society, attend a technical co-op, or join a group not known for making good decisions. Consciously or subconsciously, they determine who they are at that point in time.

It doesn’t stop there. After high school, many young people are still trying to find their way. They may go in a different direction with newfound freedom. This could result in a few years of travel or working various jobs. Some stay the course and begin a career in their desired field.

Let’s say they stay the course and begin a career. This might be working in the service industry, as a youth events coordinator, a plumber, a police officer, a musician, or, yes, even (gasp!) as a teacher, paraprofessional, social worker, or mental health professional. For the record, careers in helping others are a pretty good way to feed your intrinsic needs for making a difference. Consider joining the teaching ranks, no matter what stage of life you’re in. Ok, I’m done with that little plug!

Annnnd, back to the topic... you may have a career and then become "mom" or "dad." You find yourself running children to their sporting events, plays, gigs, etc. In this case, your role within your career may change slightly, but you remain in your chosen profession. For years, you follow a similar routine. To some degree, it becomes who you are. The question “Who am I?” is pushed aside for the time being, perhaps because you don’t have time to think about it. It’s about survival!

And then… you find yourself at a crossroads. This may be due to a life-changing event, the exhaustion of your talents in a field, or because retirement is on the horizon. What do you do then? Who do you become? What is your identity? It can be just as challenging for adults to navigate these waters.

How many times have we seen professional athletes struggle with retirement in their mid-20s? How many people hold on a little too long to their careers due to the fear of not having answers to these questions?

This struggle is real. It doesn’t discriminate. It applies to all of us, in some capacity, at different stages of our lives.

You’re tired of being a server in a restaurant within the service industry.
You don’t have the same desire to help kids as a youth events coordinator.
You’re tired of getting calls on Christmas Day because someone’s heat isn’t working.
You’ve reached a position to retire as a police officer.
You’re not getting the same numbers at your gigs as a musician, artist, actor, etc.
You’ve reached retirement age as a teacher or paraprofessional.
Was there a life-changing event that turned your world upside down?

What do you do then? Do you ask questions like: How do I maintain some version of my identity? Is it possible to maintain my identity in a different organization or in a different capacity? What identity do I assume now? Who am I? In an age of social media, can we see the search for these answers play out in real time? Likely.

Who are you? Only you can decide. We all need an identity. We all feel the need to be part of a group. Choose your next path wisely, but know you are not alone.

Fall back on the Wolff Way as a guide:

W - Work ethic
O - Off time
L - Lead/live with integrity
F - Find your passion
F - Find a way

You’ve got this. Know that you are somebody. That’s for sure.

Behind the scenes

Sun, 09 Feb 2025 00:22:02 GMT

Behind the scenes

The #WolffWay

W- Work ethic

O- Off time

L- Lead with integrity

F- Find your passion

F- Find a way

To the people or the actions taken behind the scenes: you and the actions you take are appreciated.

The topic of behind the scenes likely falls under the the W- Work Ethic principle of the Wolff Way. So many actions which are not a full display can go unnoticed. No matter; the people in these roles- making things happen-continue to have strong work ethic so the show goes on. The organization moves forward. Our students learn.

The actions behind the scenes may or may not be noticed. Leaders in organizations often make decisions and improvements that no one can see on the surface. The improvements in processes or systems may increase operational efficiency or result in enhanced fiscal awareness. The people you work with see it. The people in your immediate circle see it. The fact that not everyone can see the work put in can be frustrating.

These behind-the-scenes actions often result in opportunity. How? These improvements allow us the opportunity to do more, to help more, to achieve more. If we take advantage of these opportunities, we often fulfill our intrinsic needs- through an increased sense of accomplishment or increased sense of self worth. If you are a leader in your organization don't stop. Keep going. Keep working. Build on it. Not only does it make us feel better internally but also leads to more opportunities to reach our extrinsic goals like a earning a job we are seeking, getting that raise, hitting those test scores or meeting your monthly quota.

This doesn't apply to leaders exclusively. If you go to a play or concert, the stage crew is an essential component for the show to go on. If you are a dishwasher in a restaurant, the customers do not have clean silverware or plates without you. If you work in a business where you are entry-level, the organization does not function without you. Technology staff- How many organizations would crumble without these individuals? And plumbers, well, their role in our lives speaks for itself!

Behind the scenes people also work in a school environment. So much of a great classroom lesson occurs before the class starts. Good teachers put in extensive preparation before the class. Great teachers put in considerable work after the lesson grading papers, providing students feedback, and reflecting on how to improve the lesson.

Ask any principal of a school where they would be without their clerical staff. Seriously, ask them. Teachers, think of all the little things that the clerical staff do for you. They answer phone calls and greet visitors. They navigate the day to day operations of a school successfully. Clerks keep the entire machine moving in the right direction.

Whether in a school or business setting, think about the custodial staff. They do so many little things that allow teachers to teach and principals to lead. They answer the call when a kindergarten student has an accident (it happens!). They keep our business workspace clean and safe.

I'm here to say thank you. You are appreciated. The improvements you make are appreciated. The preparation you put in is appreciated. The work you do is appreciated.

Keep after it.

F- Find a Way

Sat, 01 Feb 2025 20:47:16 GMT

F- Find a Way

The #WolffWay

W- Work ethic

O- Off time

L- Lead with integrity

F- Find your passion

F- Find a way

F- Find a Way

Find ways to get the job done. Be resilient. This may require you to take healthy risks and get off the porch.

So far, we've talked about work ethic, off-time, leading and living with integrity, and finding our passion. All of these things culminate in finding a way to get the job done. With that said...

I haven't always gotten the job done. I've missed the mark. I've come up short more often than I'd like to admit. I've failed often. BUT, it wasn’t because I didn’t get back up after getting knocked down. It wasn’t because I was afraid to take a healthy risk. It sure wasn’t because I was afraid to get off the porch. Heck, I don’t even know where the house is, let alone the porch.

Finding a way to get the job done requires resilience. The idea of being resilient might be one of the most underused terms in mental health. We talk about it in the context of mental toughness, but not always in terms of being mentally healthy. Resilience is necessary to be both mentally tough and healthy. Challenges are presented to all of us, all the time. Ask yourself the following questions when you find yourself face-to-face with a challenge:

What are you going to do about it?
How are you going to respond?
Are you going to take control of the situation, or let the situation control you?
Are you going to control what you can control?
How are you going to find a way around or through the obstacle?
Are there smarter or better problem-solvers who can help?

As educators, leaders, and parents, we have to teach and inspire our students, teams, and children to get back up... to find a way. This may require working independently or with a team. Maybe it’s a combination of both (success!). This often means letting people fail and teaching them how to learn and grow from the experience.

Resilience is a skill. Teach it. Be open to learning it.

Finding a way may require thinking outside the box. It may require getting off the porch.

I have a saying: We can’t keep running into a wall and wonder why our head hurts. Stop running into the wall. Either think outside the box, or find someone who does. This does not mean we get reckless or irresponsible. It does mean looking for opportunities to take healthy risks. It does mean getting off the porch.

Work like hell to get the job done. If you don’t get it done, do three things with it:

Know you gave it everything you had.
Learn from it.
Grow from it.

Take what you’ve learned and figure out how it can be applied to another situation. Find a way...

You got this.

F- Find Your Passion

Sat, 25 Jan 2025 23:58:33 GMT

F- Find Your Passion

The #WolffWay

W- Work ethic

O- Off time

L- Lead with integrity

F- Find your passion

F- Find a way

F- Find Your Passion

Spoiler alert: Your passion may or may not provide food, shelter, and clothing for you and your family. Don't get that part twisted. This should not deter us from finding our passion.

Find and MAINTAIN what makes you feel alive.

What makes you feel alive? What speaks to your soul? What brings you internal joy?

As important, how do you maintain your passion? How do you keep feeding your soul? How do you continue to keep the flame of internal joy vibrant and strong? These are questions we should ask ourselves.

I'm one of the lucky ones. I knew at an early age that I wanted to be an educator and coach. I knew I wanted to help people. I have been fortunate to follow and maintain my passion while providing for myself and eventually my family. There are others out there, but in my experience there are a large number of people not in that position.

Some do not have or have not found that fortune. Some people go to an office and work on a computer for 40 hours a week. Some are line cooks, garbage collectors, or accountants. Some people are contractors or lawyers, finding financial success. What we are passionate about may not directly align with what puts food on the table. I feel it is important to recognize this, own it, and proceed as needed.

Go to work. Do your best in the workspace you find yourself in. But don't let that deter you from finding your passion. Find what makes you feel alive. Find what speaks to your soul. Find what brings you internal joy. Find ways to maintain your passion.

This may be reading a great novel. It may be going fishing or taking pictures. It may be playing guitar in a band. It may be volunteering at a nursing home. It may be starting your own business to help educate and help people (like Wolff Learning!).

If you are not sure what your passion is, keep trying new things. Get off the porch and take healthy risks. You will find something. Don't stop. If we don't, our mental health may suffer.

Get after it out there. You got this.

L- Lead with Integrity

Sun, 19 Jan 2025 00:33:41 GMT

L- Lead with Integrity

The #WolffWay

W- Work ethic

O- Off time

L- Lead with integrity

F- Find your passion

F- Find a way

L- Lead with integrity

" What is popular is not always right and what is right is not always popular "

These words were written on a sign in my parents house. I forget who the author was, or even if an author was named, but I will never forget the message they delivered. Leading and living with integrity can present challenges that test our resolve.

When we do what we believe is the right thing, we can find ourselves alone. I refer to it as "feeling alone in a dark room". The noise from the outside, even friendly, voices can be deafening. These decisions can keep us up late at night. We can lose friends. People can question our integrity. Not so nice things can be said about us. It can be hard. For me, I focus on the belief that I did the best I could with the information I had available. It doesn't always make it easier but it helps.

One of the best compliments I ever received was given to me from a long time friend and colleague. Allow me to paraphrase: "Tim Wolff may not always be right, but he is always going to do what he thinks is right". I take pride in that. It has also put me in some difficult and unpopular positions.

The important thing is that we do the right thing with or without an audience. That we are honest and hold true to our moral principles. This may be asking the co-worker who sits by themselves to join the group for lunch. It may mean excusing yourself from a conversation where negative or hateful thoughts are being exchanged. It may require standing up and stopping these thoughts or actions. It may require having a difficult conversation with an individual so the team or organization can move forward in a positive way (I have been on both ends of these conversations).

It should be noted that sometimes we (leaders in particular) have to choose from choices that are all "bad" options. Often, this applies with big decisions. We have to choose the "least bad" option. Honestly, it stinks. I believe we have to do it.

Hold true to the principle of leading and living with integrity even when tested. Push out the outside noise. When you feel alone, believe you did what you thought was the right thing to do. Step out or up when needed. Make the best decision with the information you have in front of you.

Know that what is right is not always popular and what is popular is not always right.

Good luck out there.

O- Off Time

Sat, 11 Jan 2025 23:00:13 GMT

O- Off Time

The #WolffWay

W- Work ethic

O- Off time

L- Lead with integrity

F- Find your passion

F- Find a way

Last week we talked about the "W" in the Wolff Way, Work Ethic. This week we venture into the "O" for Off Time.

In a previous blog I talked about the ability to activate our work ethic by "firing it up"; going beyond our limits to get the job done. But everyone needs time to recharge. We should make time in our day, week, month, and year designated to maintain good mental health. I find for me personally, my mental and emotional health suffers if keep the pedal down for too long and without an occasional breather.

There are definitely jobs and careers which require 24/7 availability, no doubt. I have one of them. I get it. But find the time to disconnect. Find time to put the phone down. According to an article from the University of California- Davis Health titled Social Media's impact on our Mental Health and Tips to Use it Safely , "The average person spends 145 minutes on social media every day....social media can negatively impact our overall wellbeing by fueling anxiety, depression, loneliness and FOMO (fear or missing out)". This also applies to checking email 24/7. We simply do not have enough time recharge and be present in the moment. Our mental health suffers.

Off time for each person may be different. Your off time might be a weekend getaway. It might be more time with your family. It might be heading out to the woods or a good walk in the park to unwind. Visits to the ocean and beach towns work especially well for me. Find the time to get good rest (I struggle with this). Our bodies and minds need time to recharge. Whatever it is, make time for yourself.

Get after it out there, but build in off time to keep your mental and emotional health sharp.

Bounds, Dawn. "Social media’s impact on our mental health and tips to use it safely". UC Davis Health. 10 May 2024. https://health.ucdavis.edu/blog/cultivating-health/social-medias-impact-our-mental-health-and-tips-to-use-it-safely/2024/05

W- Work Ethic

Sun, 05 Jan 2025 22:46:10 GMT

W- Work Ethic

The #WolffWay

W- Work ethic

O- Off time

L- Lead with integrity

F- Find your passion

F- Find a way

The last blog of 2024 talked about building and/or reinforcing our foundation. Our individual foundations are often established, consciously or subconsciously, on our core values or philosophies.

There are times when it may be beneficial to return to our roots. Here we go-

The "W" in the Wolff Way represents Work Ethic.

There are times our basic human needs drive our work ethic. Examples are feeling safe, having food to eat, clothing to wear and a roof over our heads. Once these needs are met, we sometimes move to other motivators.

We all have things that motivate us, whether intrinsically (makes us feel a sense of accomplishment, pride, purpose, curiosity, etc.) or extrinsically (make more money, bonuses, public recognition, etc.). Recognizing our motivators, whether basic needs or otherwise, establishes our "why". Our "why" drives our work ethic.

As leaders we appreciate the individuals who have strong work ethic. As a fellow employee, I appreciate people with strong work ethic. If a colleague is not pulling their weight due to a poor work ethic, it often results in more work on your plate. How does that make YOU feel?

A few simple tips:

Show up- Someone told me a long time ago success is 85% showing up. In my experience, this appears to be true. Go to work. Go to school.
Prioritize- Determine what is urgent vs. what is important. Urgent AND Important matters go to the top of the list. Sometimes we have to put the "needs" ahead of the "wants".
Go above and beyond- yeah, you can do the minimum but then don't wonder why you don't feel that sense of accomplishment or get the promotion you think you may deserve.
Recognize we can do anything, but not everything. Strong work ethic is an extremely powerful tool, but can be stretched too thin. Fill your plate, maybe two, but know when you have gone too far.

Find your motivators, determine your "why" and activate your own strong work ethic. Make no mistake, it can be hard. I struggle too at times. Keep after it.

2024- Building on a foundation

Mon, 30 Dec 2024 01:02:02 GMT

Building on a foundation

The #WolffWay

W- Work ethic

O- Off time

L- Lead with integrity

F- Find your passion

F- Find a way

Well put together structures and organizations start with a solid foundation. A solid foundation is essential to getting us to where we want to go.

There are times where we need to build on our foundation.

There are times where we need to reinforce our foundation.

2024 was an opportunity for me to do both. Hopefully it was for you too. Either way, 2025 is your opportunity.

A key component to evaluating your foundation is through self reflection. I recognized how fortunate I was to have worked with great people, teach great students and coach so many great players over the course of my 22+ year educational and coaching career. Opportunities afforded me by district officials from a variety organizations have allowed me to grow. These experiences have taught me lessons allowing me to develop the Wolff Way philosophy. In 2024, I got off the porch and created Wolff Learning. I am building.

For 2025, ask yourself- what is your foundation? How can you build on it? Are you able to get off the porch and take a healthy risk?

In 2010 I completed my Master's degree in Educational Leadership at Wilkes University. This degree allowed me to serve as a school administrator for almost 10 years, culminating in a promotion to my current role as the Director of Human Resources for the Scranton School District. Then an interesting thing happened.

I did not get a position I was seeking.

Self reflection forced me to recognize that I needed to reinforce my foundation through additional training. I got back in the lab and enrolled in a Superintendent's Letter of Eligibility program to expand my knowledge base to support my experience.

For 2025, ask yourself how you can reinforce your foundation? What additional training or experience can gain to put yourself on solid ground?

This can apply in any workplace, in any role. This can apply to business leaders, school administrators, teachers, students or players.

Application of the Wolff Way philosophy can help guide through your journey.

Work hard

Find Off time

Lead with integrity

Find your passion

Find a way

Reflect on 2024. Build in 2025. You got this.

Christmas Eve on Sesame Street

Sat, 21 Dec 2024 19:54:21 GMT

Christmas Eve on Sesame Street

The #WolffWay

W- Work ethic

O- Off time

L- Lead with integrity

F- Find your passion

F- Find a way

SPOILER ALERT!!!!

Christmas Eve on Sesame Street was released in December of 1978 when I was about 9 weeks old. Little did I know that we would grow older and wiser together.

The holiday special was well ahead of it's time in teaching meaningful life lessons, and I'm so thankful my parents introduced me to it at an early age. It has been my favorite Christmas special for a long time. It still is.

The special opens up with the Sesame Street characters and others ice skating. Bert, Ernie, Big Bird, Oscar the Grouch, Cookie Monster and The Count (my favorite ha, ha, ha!) are all in attendance. Within the opening scene, a little girl helps Big Bird learn to ice skate to the Jośe Feliciano's classic "Feliz Navidad". It shows kindness. Love it.

As we continue through Christmas Eve on Sesame Street , there are a number of scenes with different characters, adults, and kids. It is quite evident that Sesame Street is a welcoming neighborhood. There is an extremely diverse representation of people from different backgrounds. There is sign language used between adults and children singing a song. It is wonderful to see.

My favorite part is between Bert and Ernie. Ernie goes to see Mr. Hooper at his store. He brings his favorite thing in the world, Rubber Duckie. He explains to Mr. Hooper that he doesn't have any money but wants to trade his prized Rubber Duckie for an empty cigar box for Bert to store his paperclip collection. Mr. Hooper agrees to the trade.

After the transaction is completed and on his way out of the store, Ernie bumps into Bert. Once Ernie leaves the store, Bert approaches Mr. Hooper to trade in his favorite paperclip collection for a soap dish for Ernie's Rubber Duckie. Mr. Hooper agrees to the trade.

As the film continues, we eventually get to Bert and Ernie opening up their gifts. Ernie gives Bert a cigar box for his paperclip collection. Bert gives Ernie a soap dish for his Rubber Duckie. Problem is, they don't have their favorite things because they traded them into Mr. Hooper.

Mr. Hooper shows up just in the nick of time to give Bert and Ernie his gifts to them. Bert opens up his gift which is his paperclip collection. Ernie opens up his gift which is his Rubber Duckie. Mr. Hooper makes sure that everyone got what they needed for Christmas.

Both Bert and Ernie traded in their favorite things in the world to Mr. Hooper for Christmas gifts for their best friend. It wasn't easy for them. In fact, they are sad about it but they did it anyway. They put others before themselves. Great life lesson about living with integrity.

Whatever holiday it is you celebrate, consider giving for others. Work toward making sure everyone gets what they need and maybe a little of what they want.

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa, and Festivus for the Rest of Us or whatever it is you may celebrate.

Special shout out to the good people of Outreach-Center for Community Resources located in Scranton, PA for their Adopt an Angel program. The hard work of this organization help people get what they need. It is truly impressive.

Breathing down my neck

Sat, 14 Dec 2024 23:37:27 GMT

Breathing down my neck

The #WolffWay

W- Work ethic

O- Off time

L- Lead with integrity

F- Find your passion

F- Find a way

Sometimes we feel like people are breathing down our necks. It feels like our boss, coach, or manager are coming right at us. Maybe they are.

Maybe the message is not delivered in the most respectful way. This happens.

I was recently paying for items at a local store and overheard a conversation between two employees. One employee said to the other "I feel like the manager is breathing down my neck". The employee mentioned a second person "breathing down her neck". The employee went on to say "if I give respect, I expect it back".

Let's talk about the "breathing down someone's neck" first.

Sometimes the feedback (often unwanted!) we receive hits home and we just can't get it out of our heads. I know I've been there. Maybe you have too....

This interaction made me think of lessons I have learned from past experience. I have learned that, for the most part, there are two primary reasons a leader is "coming at you".

You are doing something wrong and need to be corrected
The leader sees something in you and knows you can deliver more to the organization

Whatever the reason, it is important that we listen to the message and reflect on the feedback we receive. It is important that we learn from it.

This feedback should activate our work ethic to step up our game to make the necessary corrections. Have a positive mindset. If you are not exactly sure what the expectations are, politely and respectfully request what the expectations are for you as it pertains to your job or your role.

Sometimes the feedback we receive has a great message. Sometimes it is not delivered in the most respectful way.

"If I give respect, I expect it back"

In my experience, when this theory is applied it produces positive results for the most part.

But, to be clear, this is not always the case.

There are a number of factors which may contribute to you giving but not receiving respect. The person not giving you respect may be having a bad day. They may have previous experiences which have forged certain viewpoints that has nothing to do with you. It can be tough to ascertain why you are the recipient of this behavior.

The important takeaway is to recognize that you cannot control how others feel or act. In the moment it can be difficult to manage our immediate emotions and reactions. I have been there. I make mistakes every day.

You can control how YOU handle it moving forward. I keep coming back to a central question when presented this scenario.

How do I want to direct my energy?

Sure, I can fight the disrespect fight but what are the positive and negative consequences? Does expending my energy to this situation move the needle forward for getting the job done whatever it may be? Does fighting this fight help me and the organization?

I do my very best to control the things I can control. I make every effort to direct my energy to people, situations, and missions which drive the cause forward in a positive manner.

No matter how the message is delivered when someone is breathing down your neck, control what you can control by activating your work ethic to reflect and improve. Direct your energy to forces which positively impact the goals you have set for yourself and the organization.

You got this.

Fire it up

Sun, 08 Dec 2024 13:14:46 GMT

Fire it up

The #WolffWay

W- Work ethic

O- Off time

L- Lead with integrity

F- Find your passion

F- Find a way

There are times where we need to find a way to get the job done. Sometimes we need to put the off time to the side and activate our strong work ethic. We need to meet what the circumstances call for. We need to fire it up.

At the age of 19 I began working as a bartender for a restaurant at a AAA baseball stadium. I was nervous and probably not ready for the moment at the time. Thankfully my oldest brother pushed me off the porch and behind the bar. For that I'm thankful.

In addition to working at that restaurant, I also served adult beverages on a VIP deck at a nearby concert venue. In my time at the restaurant and concert venue, I also worked as a line and prep cook where I learned other skill sets. Thank you to the chefs who taught me. To them, I'm thankful.

Over the course of 13 years I cooked meals and bartended at corner bars. I also tended bar at a fine dining restaurant. I learned many skills in these environments and worked with so many great people. I learned teamwork, how each team member had a role, and honed my interpersonal skills. I carried the skills I acquired as a bartender and cook for the rest of my life. As a person who now interviews people, I put heavy consideration into people with experience in a restaurant. There is no substitute.

One of the best lessons I learned was that there are times where you have to fire it up to meet the demands of the circumstances. During these times, I also learned another lesson. We will get to that in a minute. First, let's fire it up.

When you fire it up, you have to go faster than you thought possible. You have to multitask. You have to handle the pressure of people making multiple demands (often standing right in front of you!) simultaneously. There are few things that compare with 4 rows of people all wanting an adult beverage calling your name and waving money so you take their drink order. The demands!

You have to activate your work ethic by working longer hours and finding a way to get the job(s) done. You have to become laser focused on multiple tasks. This is a real challenge because this may take several days, weeks, or months. In my current leadership position as a central level administrator in a school district servicing 9,300 students and about 1,100 staff members, I face the same situations albeit in a much higher pressure role. The mindset is the same though.

Now the second lesson. I learned that sometimes you have to turn the burner down. You have to lower the flame. For me personally, I found that I cannot sustain the (lightning) fast pace for long periods of time. It's likely there are people out there who can. I have found my mental and emotional health deteriorate. We need to incorporate off time to reset and recharge, even for a weekend. We have to take care of ourselves and our loved ones.

The moral of the story is keep a fast pace and fire it up when needed but also recognize there are only so many hours in the day. Do the best you can and give every ounce to the tasks at hand. For me, this allows me to lay my head down on the pillow at night knowing I gave it my all.

I hope this helps you too.

It's not about me....

Fri, 29 Nov 2024 23:15:08 GMT

It's not about me....

The #WolffWay

W- Work ethic

O- Off time

L- Lead with integrity

F- Find your passion

F- Find a way

Together we all accomplish more. I heard this growing up, and it stills applies today. Strong teams are compiled of individuals with a simple mindset that CAN be difficult to achieve:

It is not about me. It's not about you. It's about us, all of us.

This mindset requires individuals to be selfless. It requires people to put their individual needs, wants, and desires to take a back seat to the team goals. This can be difficult due to the fact that people naturally want to take care of themselves and their interests. I get it.

But.....if the individuals put the team goals first, the team frequently realizes success and the individuals benefit. This can take some time so be patient.

As leaders there are several steps we can take to promote selfless behavior to reach team goals:

Lead with integrity- when leaders do the right thing, people see it and want to emulate it.
Communicate (team) - set team expectations and make them clear. Set milestones along the way.
Communicate (individuals)- set individual expectations with team goals in mind.
Enthusiastically reinforce selfless acts- if you see a selfless act celebrate it, especially in a team setting.
Communicate (individual/team)- address selfish behaviors in an individual setting that do not promote team goals. When you hold people accountable in a respectful way, people notice and most often respond in a positive way.
Promote- use successful team results to reinforce the team mentality, no matter how small the success is for the team. Build on it.

If you can use the mantra "It's not about me. It's not about you. It's about us, all of us" you will be able to recognize that the together we all can accomplish more.

Get after it out there! Good luck!

See the world

Sun, 24 Nov 2024 21:04:55 GMT

See the world

The #WolffWay

W- Work ethic

O- Off time

L- Lead with integrity

F- Find your passion

F- Find a way

These week's edition focuses on two of the staples of the Wolff Way- find your passion and enjoy your off time.

In life, there are certain opportunities that allow us to follow our passion; to do the things which make us "feel alive". One of the things that makes me tick is seeing new places and meeting new people. I genuinely go into a funk when I am stagnant on the intellectual front.

This passion potentially developed while living in Diamond Bar, a city in southern California. While in Diamond Bar, our next door neighbor and his family were from China. Our Chinese neighbors were welcoming and I became friends with their son. As a kid I learned about a different language, different written communication, food, customs, and culture. I wish I listened more when they tried to teach me how to use chopsticks!

After about a year and a half of living in California, my parents decided to move us back to our hometown of Scranton, Pennsylvania.

We drove across the country stopping at National Parks, different cities, and seeing our great nation. It was a tremendous experience. I saw. I experienced.. I learned. If you haven't been to the Grand Canyon, DO IT! Pictures do not do it justice.

These experiences proved to be the impetus of lighting an insatiable thirst and passion for learning and growing. Thanks Mom and Dad.

As an adult I visited Jamaica, Mexico, Italy, Netherlands, Germany, and Puerto Rico. I tried some of the food (I'm a little picky). I swam in blue ocean waters and in remote swimming holes. I went to a soccer game in Europe and visited the Colosseum in Rome. I felt the hair on the back of my neck stand up while in the Anne Frank house. Unreal.

I talked to a LOT of people, asking questions and learning about different cultures. I gained perspective about the world AND about myself. With each conversation, I created more and more opportunities to cultivate empathy for others.

One of my favorite places is Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. I recently went there for a Wolff Learning assignment to document my passion for travel while enjoying my off time. My wife and I went to see a Steelers game. We were able to attend a Dave Matthews Band concert. In Pittsburgh, people with all different backgrounds only care about two colors: the black and gold of the Pittsburgh Steelers (and Penguins and Pirates). Dave Matthews Band concertgoers only care about one thing, the music. It's refreshing to see all types of people together enjoying themselves.

All of these experiences have helped mold the Wolff Way philosophy. Getting out of one's comfort zone is an opportunity. An opportunity to find your passion and simultaneously enjoy your off time. It does not have to involve a plane, train, or a long ride in an automobile. Take a ride to the city...or to the country. But don't be afraid to get off the porch either!

Get out and see the world. Maybe it will make you feel more alive, make you tick. At the very least, you will probably learn something.

#wolffway

#passion

#empathy

#Pittsburgh

#Dave Matthews Band

Clear the lane

Sat, 16 Nov 2024 16:59:59 GMT

Clear the lane

The #WolffWay

W- Work ethic

O- Off time

L- Lead with integrity

F- Find your passion

F- Find a way

"Clear the Lane" is a powerful song by Rage Against the Machine from the '90s, but it’s also a great approach to effectively advocate for your team or organization’s needs and successfully get the job done.

Too often, we hear people complain about what’s missing—asking "Why don’t we have this?" or "Why don’t we have that?" But the answer might lie in what *you’re not* doing.

The reality is, decision-makers often don’t have the time to do the heavy lifting for your project. You need to take the initiative and get the ball rolling. Don’t just sit back and complain— you need to take action .

As one of my former bosses told me: "Do your homework before bringing an idea to me." Having been both a decision-maker and someone with an idea, I completely agree with her. To get what you need for your team or organization, you need to clear the lane of obstacles and present a well-prepared case.

Here are a few things to keep in mind when doing your “homework” prior to presenting an idea to a decision-maker:

1. Keep it Simple and Focused - Keep your summary concise—ideally one to two pages. Decision-makers are busy, so make it easy for them to understand the core of your idea.

2. Be Ready to Back It Up - Be prepared to answer any follow-up questions. Know the details inside and out.

3. Answer the Basics - Be ready to answer key questions:

Why?- Start with the "why". Why is this project critical to the mission? Why should the decision-maker approve it? Why should they support it financially, if applicable?

Who? - Who is leading this project? Who will be responsible for what? Who is managing timelines and accountability?

What? - What exactly is the plan? What resources will you need? What data or research backs up your idea? What’s the financial impact?

Where? - Where will this happen? Where will the resources come from? Where is the funding coming from?

How?- How does this align with the organization’s goals? How long will it take to implement? How will you adjust the plan if things don’t go as expected? How will you defend the project if it’s questioned?

While you may not always get everything you want, completing your homework will almost certainly earn you three things: respect from the decision-maker, a clearer understanding of your organization, and potentially new opportunities for growth.

Your goal is to clear the lane for decision-makers to approve your idea. Make it as easy as possible for them to say yes. Once the lane is clear, drive that project forward and get the job done.

Passion....there is no substitute

Mon, 11 Nov 2024 00:14:33 GMT

Passion...there is no substitute

The #WolffWay

W- Work ethic

O- Off time

L- Lead with integrity

F- Find your passion

F- Find a way

Passion is irreplaceable.

It starts with your "why"—the driving force that propels your work ethic and compels you to overcome challenges, even when others doubt what’s possible.

For some, passion is about leading teams; for others, it's about constant self-improvement or pursuing financial freedom. There are those driven by the desire to help others believe in themselves.

This past week, I had the privilege of witnessing the powerful passion of a building principal and a music teacher as they worked together to prepare for a Veteran's Day event. Big thanks to all our Veterans!

The principal is deeply passionate about putting students first. Her tireless work ethic sees her in action during school hours, after the bell rings, and even on weekends. The Veteran's Day event was just the latest in a long series of impactful events she has orchestrated for the school. She excels at recognizing and empowering the talent around her, particularly one of her most gifted teachers.

That teacher, a music educator, is extraordinary in her own right. She, too, is driven by a passion for putting kids first. She brings enthusiasm and creativity to her role—dressing in festive costumes and even coordinating her makeup and hair for special events. One of her greatest gifts is the ability to inspire confidence in her students. I was lucky enough to "lose" a friendly competition with one of her student drummers at a recent talent show, and it was nothing short of spectacular.

Both of these women pour their hearts into their work, relentlessly climbing to the top of the mountain of their craft. While many admire the view from the summit, these educators endure the daily climb, and their passion fuels every step of the journey.

There truly is no substitute for passion. The students and staff at this school are fortunate to be led by such passionate educators.

Find your "why." Let it carry you through every step of your climb toward greatness, whatever the venue.

Remember: there is no substitute for passion. Find yours.

It is ok to be afraid

Sun, 03 Nov 2024 01:22:50 GMT

It is ok to be afraid...but do not let it stop you

The #WolffWay

W- Work ethic

O- Off time

L- Lead with integrity

F- Find your passion

F- Find a way

There are times when we face situations and worry that we haven't adequately prepared our leaders, teams, students, or organizations for the task ahead.

As a leader, people are counting on you.

The spotlight is on, and the audience is watching.

Our students look to us for guidance.

Our organization expects positive results.

Feeling some fear is perfectly normal; it can even be beneficial. It shows that you care about setting your people up for success, that you want your team to succeed, that you want your students to grasp the concepts, and that you aim to represent your organization well.

Don’t shy away from stepping into these situations. Channel that fear into motivation. Here are some strategies to help you rest easy at night, knowing you've done your best:

Stay true to your values—keep your vision and mission front and center.
Prepare thoroughly—do your research and focus on what you can control.
Cultivate a strong work ethic—tackle manageable tasks with your ultimate goal in mind.
Be aware of your environment—use your emotional intelligence to meet the needs of the moment.
Find solutions—leverage all available resources to ensure successful outcomes.

Following these steps has helped me feel at ease with whatever results may come. Celebrate your successes and learn from setbacks. Most importantly, take those lessons and keep moving forward.

It’s okay to feel fear, but don’t let it prevent you from stepping into challenging situations again.

You got this!

Urgent vs. Important

Sun, 27 Oct 2024 21:33:21 GMT

Urgent vs. Important

The #WolffWay

W- Work ethic

O- Off time

L- Lead with integrity

F- Find your passion

F- Find a way

Prioritizing your tasks can be difficult. There is only so much time in each day. Often we have requests coming from every direction. We have professional and personal demands. It can be overwhelming.

A few tips to help you find a way to get the job done:

Learn to say no. This can be a difficult be necessary action.
Break apart large initiatives into pieces. Attack them one by one. This often requires multiple tasks occurring simultaneously.
Identify what is urgent. What requires immediate attention?
Identify what is important. What is important to you, your students, your team, or your organization?
Identify urgent and important. What is important AND requires immediate attention? If you are new or established with the team/organization, activate your colleagues. Talk to the veteran members around you. Use the organization's vision and mission to guide you.
Identify the resources available to you and your team. Know your strengths AND your weaknesses. Identify the strengths of your team members. Strengthen your team when possible. Identify other resources you have at your disposal. Do not be afraid to "get off the porch" and take healthy risks.
Plan your work, work your plan. Put the urgent AND important matters to the top of the "to do" list. Create timelines, deadlines, implementation plans, and calendar invites for you and your team.
Seek feedback, use data, revise and refine as needed. Listen to the feedback, analyze the data, and make adjustments. Do not be afraid to recognize when something is not working BUT do not pull the plug too quickly. Most things take time to determine the effectiveness.
Execute, maintain, build. Execute the plan, maintain the plan, look for ways to build on the plan.
Celebrate your team, take the failures. If you have success always celebrate your team. If it fails, it is on you as the leader, manager, principal, or teacher.

These guidelines have helped me Find a Way to get the job done. I hope they help you as well.

Change is good

Wed, 23 Oct 2024 01:47:13 GMT

Change is good

The #WolffWay

W- Work ethic

O- Off time

L- Lead with integrity

F- Find your passion

F- Find a way

Change is inevitable.

View the change as opportunity.

Find a way to take advantage of these opportunities. This may require you to get out of your comfort zone and get off the porch. This may also result in "failure".

Do not be afraid of failure. These circumstances are often the best times to reflect on your situation to grow mentally, spiritually, emotionally, and intellectually. I do not know if Wolff Learning will take off or flop. One way or another I will grow. Hopefully I help someone along the way.

We all get knocked down. This is ok. Take time to process the "failure" when you were knocked down and get up.

Be resilient.

You got this.

Make a difference

Sat, 19 Oct 2024 00:27:04 GMT

Make a difference

The #WolffWay

W- Work ethic

O- Off time

L- Lead with integrity

F- Find your passion

F- Find a way

I recently attended a PTA organized event for William Prescott Elementary in the Scranton School District. The purpose of the event was to celebrate the principal who served the students of the Hill Section of Scranton for approximately 20 years.

The PTA organized "pie in the face" day was an excellent event. Students were randomly selected to put a whipped cream "pies" in the faces of the outgoing principal and current teachers who volunteered their time for the kids.

The students had a great experience. They sang songs. They smiled. They laughed. They encouraged their classmates. It was truly a success. The students and staff "pied" their respects to the outgoing principal while welcoming their new leader.

The PTAs and teachers who organize these events deserve credit for finding their passion to help kids. They deserve credit for finding ways to make these team and culture building events a reality. The principals, teachers, school board members, counselors, and district leaders deserve credit for being "team players", finding their passion to bring people together. Each of these events brings a smile to my face.

I would like to give a special shout out to the PTA of William Prescott Elementary for organizing this most recent event. I believe it is the first for the school. They "got off the porch" and took a healthy risk. They found a way to make it happen (with the help of the good people of Whittier Elementary!). Thanks to the maintenance staff at Prescott for the set up and clean up too! Admirable effort by all involved.

Great job by all involved for following their passion and finding a way. These events make a difference.

P.S- If you ever have the opportunity to take a pie to the face, make sure you have a change of clothes and be ready to clean off immediately!

Get the work in

Thu, 17 Oct 2024 00:31:07 GMT

Get the work in

The #WolffWay

W- is for work ethic

O- is for off time

I am currently working a small group of girls helping them develop their basketball skills. The group comes together on Saturdays preparing for the upcoming season. A couple weeks ago, I was really impressed.

The girls came to the training session in the morning to work on their skills and participate in drills. Their strong work ethic was on display yet again.

Later that day, a number of them went on a birthday trip out of town. By all accounts, they had a great time.

This is the epitome of a strong work ethic by getting the work in during the morning session and then enjoying their off time.

Get the work in, then have fun with your off time.

Good work girls. Keep it up.

The Wolff Way

wolfflearningcenter@gmail.com (Timothy Wolff) — Sat, 21 Sep 2024 03:04:29 GMT

The #WolffWay

We believe that we all deserve better. The Wolff Way philosophy focuses on a work and life balance to achieve true success. The #WolffWay evolved through family values, personal and professional experiences, and education.

W- Work ethic

O- Off time

L- Lead with integrity

F- Find your passion

F- Find a way- Get off the Porch

I would like to encourage everyone to share their own experiences that align with the #WolffWay of doing things. Are you grinding out a recent task? Are you enjoying your off time? Do you lead with integrity? Did you find your passion? Find a way when you never thought you could? Did you get off the porch and achieve something you NEVER thought you could? Post it. Share it. Help others. Use #WolffWay so we can build our community and help others find their way or celebrate successes. We all deserve better.

Welcome to Wolff Learning!

Sat, 21 Sep 2024 02:41:33 GMT

Get Off The Porch #GOTP

I believe in taking healthy risks for personal and professional growth. The creation of Wolff Learning is my biggest healthy risk to date. I welcome you to join me in my journey in learning, growing, and helping others become the best versions of themselves. My intention is to share my experiences, both personal and professional, in an effort to encourage people to Get off the Porch by taking healthy risks through consistent investments in themselves. Our team looks forward to working with individuals, teams, and organizations in the development of resource laden "tool boxes" built on The Wolff Way philosophy. This is just the beginning. Let's gooooo!