#LisaGonzalesSuperintendent

Dr. Lisa Gonzales

Jan 20, 2020
2 min

Self-Compassion...Give it a Try

As leaders, we're often so focused on others that we forget that we need reenergizing, rejuvenating, and often times we need to just step back and cut ourselves some slack. That's where self-compassion comes in. Scientists have discovered that self-compassion really does make a difference. How do you process when things go wrong? Do you blame yourself? Beat yourself up? Have simply unreal expectations for your performance and abilities to the point where you'll never quite li

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Dr. Lisa Gonzales

Nov 18, 2019
2 min

I Believe in Human Kindness

I believe in human kindness. I do. And I try to consciously act in a way that leaves the world a better place, one person at a time. And I model it for my daughters. Maybe its because so much of me wants to leave a better, more compassionate and supportive world for them. It might be because I've put my trust in humanity during very trying situations and humanity has cared for me and kept me safe. Maybe its because its the way to do right rather than be right. And then I pond

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Dr. Lisa Gonzales

Oct 29, 2019
3 min

How Self Aware Are You?

Funny thing.....as we get older, we either get so busy that we lose sight of who we are and what we stand for OR it has changed a few times. And for some of us, maybe its been more than just a few. Self-awareness is knowing about our beliefs, our character, our motives, and our desires. Self-awareness is important because when we have a better understanding of ourselves, we are able to experience ourselves as unique and separate individuals. We are then empowered to make chan

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Dr. Lisa Gonzales

Oct 15, 2019
3 min

Doing Your Situational Best

It's pretty normal to try to do your best at all times - in work, in relationships, with your children, as a neighbor. But striving for the best can ebb and flow and then the ensuing stress about not being at your best in one realm can affect another. Think of the holiday that many had yesterday. A day off to you might mean a list of many items to do: - go for a run - do a couple of loads of laundry - stop by the pharmacy for a prescription - grocery shop - get the car washed

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Dr. Lisa Gonzales

Aug 23, 2019
3 min

Running in the Golden Years

Disclaimer: I don’t look as old as I am...but I am. I credit running for my youthful appearance, although genetics might have come into play. As a distance runner for the past 25 years, I’ve been at it for a while. For the last eight years, I’ve been a coach for Run365, the official training program for the San Francisco Marathon. That means years of training those in the over-40 and 50 crowd. What have I learned? It is never too late to start running! Clearly, you want to be

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A Coffee Break of Inspirational Leadership: Being Brave

Dr. Lisa Gonzales

Jun 3, 2019
2 min

A Coffee Break of Inspirational Leadership: Being Brave

What does being brave really mean? I was recently reading a book that referenced the bravery of the character in the way she overcame adversity, how she didn't let others dim her sparkle, how she moved beyond feeling that she needed to be perfect and invincible. And it got me to thinking......how do you strengthen those skills? It's much like the question - how do you teach students about resiliency and grit? Reshma Saujani in the founder and CEO of the nonprofit Girls Who Co

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Dr. Lisa Gonzales

May 20, 2019
2 min

Unleashing Your Happy-ness

Ever intentionally thought about happiness? Being happy at work, at home, in your community work? Its a topic I've worked through over the years, especially when I was a Superintendent and served in an area where we needed a little less stress and a little more happy. I led parents through an online study of happiness, via UC Berkeley's happiness project (more info below). The goal was to help parents bring more happiness and balance into their homes. Fast forward to life as

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Dr. Lisa Gonzales

Apr 22, 2019
2 min

Working with Obstructionists

We've all worked with them. Around them. Tried to avoid them. Some are really obvious. Others are a bit more underground, but their impact is the same. Obstructionists, often affectionately known as bottleneckers, are those who hold things up. They miss deadlines. They don't follow through. They talk a good talk, and then disappear. Or they show up, look you straight in the face, and make you second guess - did we really have that conversation? Was I clear? Yes, you were. And

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Dr. Lisa Gonzales

Apr 1, 2019
2 min

The Power of the Pack

I'm not going to apologize in advance that I'm going to talk about women in leadership. It's part of my mantra, and I'm also learning to STOP apologizing. But I digress.... Over the last ten years or so since I started working to resurrect the Women's Leadership Network with the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA), the nation's largest administrative organization, I've learned a lot about leadership, women, challenges with women, lifting each other, and mor

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Dr. Lisa Gonzales

Mar 11, 2019
3 min

International Women's Day

Friday was International Women’s Day….and it gave many friends and I time to pause over the weekend and reflect on our experiences as women and with women. Yes, go ahead and poke a little fun at that phrase, as there is no way to really experience anything in a role other than that as a female, but you get where I’m going. A few of us gathered for a run on Sunday morning, mostly women but a few men sprinkled through our group that hung together for an hour. As we wound our wa

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Dr. Lisa Gonzales

Mar 5, 2019
2 min

Ever Feel Incompetent?

Ever feel incompetent? Join the club. We all go through it. Incompetence is a perfectly normal, albeit it uncomfortable feeling. Sometimes is about not knowing a new platform at work. Other times it is blanking in the middle of a presentation when our brain takes an unexpected break. And sometimes, it is being asked to respond to an inquiry on a topic where our knowledge is at a C level and we expect at least a B is needed to not sound like an idiot. Yes, it is uncomfortable.

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A Coffee Break of Inspirational Leadership: Walking in our Stories

Dr. Lisa Gonzales

Feb 19, 2019
2 min

A Coffee Break of Inspirational Leadership: Walking in our Stories

I've been reading and listening to a lot of Brene Brown as of late - whether the paperback Rising Strong that I've dog-eared the heck out of or my new Audible membership and learning how to bookmark those segments that just say WOW! What I love about her work is how personable she is when she speaks, and how spot on she is with her messaging. Having been a long term researcher, she is very keen on sharing what extensive studies have noted....and those parallel what we profess

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A Coffee Break of Inspirational Leadership: Microvulnerability

Dr. Lisa Gonzales

Feb 11, 2019
3 min

A Coffee Break of Inspirational Leadership: Microvulnerability

Ran across this term a week or so ago. Microvulnerability. (Note - spellcheck doesn't like it...yet). When I think of leadership, I can't think of many leaders who have been brutally vulnerable about their skills, their knowledge, and their perspectives, because let's face it. Vulnerability comes with risk taking. Fear. Microvulnerability is about letting people know that you don't have it all together all the time. And that makes you shockingly human, right? Those of us who

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A Coffee Break of Inspirational Leadership: Lead Like a Girl

Dr. Lisa Gonzales

Feb 4, 2019
3 min

A Coffee Break of Inspirational Leadership: Lead Like a Girl

Growing up, I was a tomboy in every sense of the word. I was sent to the principal's office for playing tackle football in middle school (still not sure how it was okay for the boys but not the girls). I followed men's professional sporting teams religiously and analyzed data from the newspaper a few days a week. My favorite clothes were always what I was able to stealthily remove from my brother's drawers and closet. But being a female in a realm of school leadership that da

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Dr. Lisa Gonzales

Feb 1, 2019
3 min

Resolution Over Yet? Try Vision Boards

This past week marks the time when New Year’s resolutions fall by the wayside. Did yours? I’ll admit that I haven’t bailed on mine yet because….I didn’t create any! Years ago, we’ll call it the “before kids” time in my life, I had goals. I’d write about that. Reflect about them. Talk about them to others, mostly because when you put them out there, they become real. But over the years, I learned that setting goals wasn’t that effective in the way that resolutions are generall

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A Coffee Break of Inspirational Leadership: Power Hours?

Dr. Lisa Gonzales

Jan 15, 2019
3 min

A Coffee Break of Inspirational Leadership: Power Hours?

Sometimes I blog over the weekend, and sometimes I leave it for early Monday morning (very early, like way before I need to get ready for work). And when I do too much on Sunday, that Monday morning wake-up becomes a bit more challenging. That's what happened yesterday. I was tired and I didn't take into account what my power hours would be for a Monday, or at least that particular Monday. Have you heard of personal power hours? It's a really cool and valid concept - there

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A Coffee Break of Inspirational Leadership: Anticipation

Dr. Lisa Gonzales

Dec 18, 2018
2 min

A Coffee Break of Inspirational Leadership: Anticipation

I love the anticipation that comes with the holidays....vacations....time with the kids off school...the new year ahead. Maybe its the fresh scent of the cut Christmas tree in the living room, or the vision board I know I'll create for the 2019. And sometimes I wonder if its just the new start that comes with a new year. Yes, resolutions may come and go, but that newness always returns every year. The Dutch have a word for that special anticipation that comes with a big event

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A Coffee Break of Inspirational Leadership: #YouAreNotAlone

Dr. Lisa Gonzales

Dec 10, 2018
3 min

A Coffee Break of Inspirational Leadership: #YouAreNotAlone

Dear Evan Hansen recently arrived in San Francisco and wow...just wow. Was fortunate to see it last night with friends and it was as good as I expected. Maybe better. Having listened to the soundtrack for the last year or so meant I was singing along (quietly) to a performance where I didn't really know the story line. Sure, the lyrics helped with my insights, but the real message was about a number of someones who, during the course of the two acts, emerged as souls feeling

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A Coffee Break of Inspirational Leadership: Vulnerability

Dr. Lisa Gonzales

Dec 4, 2018
3 min

A Coffee Break of Inspirational Leadership: Vulnerability

Being vulnerable didn't come easy for me. I grew up in a world of judgment in ways that often felt harsh. Mean. Inconsiderate. In many ways it hardened me to be more sterile to those I didn't know, perhaps in a way to protect myself. It wasn't until I had a heart to heart with a true leader who embodied what I was seeking....missing. It helped me see that my desire to be safe was compromising my ability to connect with others. Its sad to say that my female role models weren't

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A Coffee Break of Inspirational Leadership: Overcoming Frustration

Dr. Lisa Gonzales

Nov 26, 2018
3 min

A Coffee Break of Inspirational Leadership: Overcoming Frustration

We all face frustration. At work. In relationships. Behind the wheel. With our neighbors. Frustration is a way of life, but we don't always approach it the same way and the obstacles to overcome that are the source of our frustrations aren't always easy to discern. There have been many articles written, and research projects conducted, on the topic of frustration. Many equate frustration to anger, which doesn't need to be the case. I tend to see frustration differently. Wikpe

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Dr. Lisa Marie Gonzales

#brandher