Congratulations are in order!

When we hear about folks we've worked with over the years be recognized for their outstanding leadership we can't help but do a little happy dance for them. 

And tell you about it in our newsletter!

Because when great leaders are doing great things, it can be incredibly inspiring for the rest of us. 

Dr. Sam Buenrostro and Melissa Doberstein have been part of the "Diamond6 Family" for many years now and we are proud of their recent achievements!
 

Dr. Sam Buenrostro named Superintendent of the Year by the California Association of Latino Superintendents and Administrators

Sam is the superintendent at Corona-Norco Unified School District in California, where he has resided for 32 years. He has served in numerous roles over the past 23 years in CNUSD, including Deputy Superintendent in Human Resources and Instructional Support. Sam has been attending the Gettysburg Workshop with his team every summer for nearly 10 years now! We have watched Sam take on various leadership roles over the years with incredible skill and keen awareness. He and the entire team at CNUSD have been by our side since the beginning! READ MORE HERE.

Melissa Doberstein named a Penn State University Administrative Fellow for the 2023/2024 Academic Year

Melissa is the program director at the Presidential Leadership Academy (PLA) in the Schreyer Honors College at Penn State University. In this program, select students develop leadership fundamentals to thrive in an environment in which multiple dimensions of an issue are explored, and diverse viewpoints are welcomed and heard. Melissa and her students have participated in the Pearl Harbor Leadership Workshop in Hawaii for several years now. Quite an undertaking that she sees through with ease, grace, and fine-tuned leadership. Working with these students has been a highlight for us! READ MORE HERE.

Sam and Melissa show that leaders must be life long learners and that growth is not only possible, but essential. 

We look forward to seeing the positive impact these incredible leaders have on their organizations and students in the coming years!

"I thought I was just a lunch lady."

6 days in Gettysburg.
3 school district.
100 participants.
1 rain day.

Welcome to the Diamond6 summer workshops!

We're only halfway through June and we have already hosted 100 participants from three different school districts for our Gettysburg Leadership Workshops. 

This is truly our favorite time of year. 

Working with educators and school district staff is incredibly rewarding. 

Their energy, commitment, and desire to do right by their students and communities is inspiring, to say the least. 

In every group we hear lightbulb moments and insights that remind us why we do what we do. 

Here is one example....

One of the big messages we try to convey is that EVERYONE is a leader, no matter their title. 

At the end of the first day at Gettysburg last week a participant approached Jeff and said, 

"Until now I always thought of myself as just the lunch lady.....

....but now I realize that I'm a leader, and an important part of this team."

Yes, yes, YES!

If she doesn't lead her team to successfully get lunch prepared and served, thousands of students and staff won't eat lunch. 

For some kids this is their best meal of the day. 

Without a midday meal teachers can't teach, and students can't learn. 

The lunch lady is a leader and absolutely ESSENTIAL!

We have heard many different versions of the "I'm just a lunch lady" statement over the years. 

"I'm just a second grade teacher."
"I'm just a secretary."
"I'm just a new employee."

It's time to nix "just" from our vocabulary - for ourselves and for those we lead. 

The second grade teacher is a leader and role model to their students and fellow teachers. 

The secretary is leading their boss and the face of the office who often carries critical historical knowledge about the organization. 

The new employee leads their peers and brings a fresh perspective into the organization that can inspired important change. 

Do you use JUST to describe yourself sometimes?

I challenge you to drop that word and reframe your description. 

And when someone around you says, "I'm just a ......" stop them right away and tell them they are a leader and they are essential to the team!

By dropping this one little word we are reminded of our intrinsic value and the important role we play in accomplishing our organizations mission. 

Let us know your "just" description and how you're going to reframe it!

Building Trust Within Your Team

We've heard it again and again from our workshop participants.

And, the research supports it. 

Money is not enough to keep good employees working for you AND engaged in their work. 

Leaders are being challenged to get to know their employees needs, and meet them with creative solutions. 

The people who work for you want to be treated like humans, not like robots.

Life and work are now becoming closely intertwined, for better or worse.

This evolution is bringing even more needed attention to what employees really want, and need, to be successful at work. 

In the last few years flexible work hours and mix of in-person and work from home have become standard questions potential employees ask about. 

Social events are also increasingly important. Employees want to get to know each other and connect on a more personal level. Creating non-work related social events builds camaraderie and is supports team building. 

Creating a challenging work environment and helping employees find meaning and purpose in their work is also key to retention and engagement. 

But, if you don't do this ONE thing, you could lose it all. 

Building trust is a non-negotiable with your team. 

You must ACTIVELY work to earn their trust.

Lost their trust, and it's over. 

Several years ago Jeff referenced writer and theoretician on leadership, Bruce Avolio on this topic to address the question....

"How do I build trust within my team to accomplish our goals?"

In this blog post, outlined these five things that Avolio suggests:

- Deliver on all agreements
- Be clear and explicit about your expectations
- Take responsibility for your mistakes
- Whatever you say to inner circle will reach the outer circle
- Deal with the source of the problem, not the symptom

You can read Jeff's full explanation of these five tenets here. 

A gift from Jeff!

Jeff returned to his old stomping grounds recently. 

Well, almost. 

He presented a keynote address and breakout presentation to the Illinois Agriculture Association in North Utica, Illinois for their 2023 Managers Conference. 

Jeff's hometown of Beardstown is about 2 hours directly north.  

During a break Jeff sat down and signed several copies of his book, Battle Tested for attendees.

Do you want Jeff’s signature?

We've got you covered!

If you can't attend a live event with Jeff you can still get his signature in your copy of Battle Tested.

Our custom bookplate stickers are great way to do this!

Simply send us an email to bookplate@diamondsixleadership.com with the following info:

• Your name (if you're giving the book as a gift, give us that person's name).

• The address the bookplate should be sent to. 

We'll get your bookplate in the mail within 7 business days. 

Where should you get your copy of Battle Tested?

We recommend checking our your local bookseller. If they don't have it in stock, they can mostly likely order it for you. 

Otherwise, large booksellers and of course online, are also options. 

Happy reading!

Jeff, on the road again!

On the road again!

Jeff just returned from a whirlwind trip that took him to Europe and to the midwest, before returning home to Pennsylvania. 

He definitely knows a lot about leadership. But, he's not leading the way in taking selfies. 

So, we took some liberty and added him into a few of the pictures he sent us. 

Here is our version of "Where's Jeff?" 

How did he get on that building in Trafalger Square?

Can you find him leaning on a trashcan or coming out of the water in Lisbon? 

And then, he flew back stateside to Indiana....

Jeff's trip to Indiana was the end of an era!

Our dear friend and incredible client, Dennis Costerison is retiring from his role as Executive Director of the Indiana Association of School Business Officials. 

We have worked with Dennis and his Principals Academy for over 10 years.

He has brought in several of our faculty members to present on leadership topics such as strategic planning, team building, and executive wellness.

Plus, we've brought Gettysburg and Pearl Harbor to Indianapolis through our "on the road" workshops. 

Last week Jeff was the final speaker of Denny's tenure with ASBO. We will be forever grateful to Denny, Indiana ASBO, and all the participants we have worked with over the last decade. 

To celebrate Denny, the current Principals Academy, participants wore t-shirts with Denny's face on them. We can't think of a better way to tell someone how much they are appreciated!

Congrats Denny on your upcoming retirement!

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What are you doing in 2024?

Do you need a presenter for an upcoming conference?

We have over 30 faculty members located across the country who can speak on a variety of leadership topics.

If you have a topic that needs addressed, we have someone who can speak on it!

Are you looking for a professional development workshop in 2023 or 2024?

In-person, virtual, 1-day, multi-day, at your location, or a retreat somewhere else. We've got you covered with customized content and logistics!

We still have a few dates available for 2023 and are quickly starting to book 2024.

Want to create the most impactful and memorable experience for your team?

You're in the right place!

Our workshops have been described as "the best leadership development experience of my career" by participants. 

Simply send an email to info@diamondsixleadership.com to set up a call, and learn how we can help!