#asca

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

Aug 26, 2019
3 min

Bouncing Back from Rejection

re·jec·tion /rəˈjekSH(ə)n/ noun: rejection; plural noun: rejections the dismissing or refusing of a proposal, idea, etc. synonyms:refusal, nonacceptance, declining, turning down, no, dismissal, spurning, rebuff, kick in the teeth Kick in the teeth? Ouch! But if you've experienced rejection in the professional realm, that's a seemingly realistic descriptor. Rejection isn't the end of our stories. They help us to grow and they remind us that taking risks isn't always easy but h

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Dr. Lisa Gonzales

Jul 30, 2019
2 min

Is it so Hard to be Kind?

I believe in kindness. But there are days when the world doesn't seem so kind. Twenty four hours ago there was a senseless shooting in Gilroy, California - a mass shooting that feels like so many other shootings that, as of today, are happening at a rate of more than one a day. As the evening pressed on, many of my fellow Gilroy High School graduates messaged to process, always ending with how much we care about each other. It got me to wonder about kindness and caring. Can w

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Dr. Lisa Gonzales

Jun 25, 2019
2 min

Building the Confidence Muscle

I am fortunate to coach a number of administrators, mostly females, around the nation. I do it because, along the way, many leaders took their time to do the same with me. What I've noticed is that so many leaders don't see themselves the way their colleagues do, the way I do. As a teacher, I watched how elementary students progressed into middle school and students lost their edge, especially girls. Gone was the "I can do it" outlook that was so prevalent in kindergarten. It

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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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A Coffee Break of Inspirational Leadership: Where Are You Headed?

Dr. Lisa Gonzales

Apr 15, 2019
2 min

A Coffee Break of Inspirational Leadership: Where Are You Headed?

Feeling foggy. Traffic at work. Sometimes they aren't just metaphors but real. We all get stuck. Really. WE ALL GET STUCK. And even those who look like they might have it all really might feel stuck. Sometimes we talk to others about it, and other times its the reason behind sleepless nights and wandering off mid-conversation or in the middle of a meeting. There is a comfort that can arise from being patient with ourselves and the situations we find ourselves in. And it's ok

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Dr. Lisa Gonzales

Mar 26, 2019
3 min

The Danger of Silence

A lot has been said about the importance of speaking up to injustices, unfairness, unethical behavior, and more. In the current era of politics and the state of our nation in general, I think the "speaking up" movement has gained momentum...especially with #metoo issues. But speaking up isn't just about what goes on in the nation. When we apply the actions to our work lives, innate challenges arise. What if I speak up? Will it cost me my job? Will I be able to find another jo

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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: Being Goodish

Dr. Lisa Gonzales

Jan 8, 2019
2 min

A Coffee Break of Inspirational Leadership: Being Goodish

A few months ago, I learned a new phrase - being goodish. It didn't take much reflection to realize that this phrase rocks. Really. But what it really means and stands for is so much more. As a working mom, I can say that I've struggled with that balance in life - trying to be all to everyone and to myself at the same time. Possible? No. Then there's that word perfect that we've all decided to retire, unless we are talking about an Olympic gymnastic score or if we're referrin

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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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A Coffee Break of Inspirational Leadership: Thanks and Progress

Dr. Lisa Gonzales

Nov 20, 2018
2 min

A Coffee Break of Inspirational Leadership: Thanks and Progress

It's that holiday time of the year. This Thanksgiving week is one where children jump in cars and travel to see the grandparents, runners and non-runners don their shoes to take on the local Turkey Trot, and many climb into the hills for an early Christmas tree search. I always try to spend a little time around Thanksgiving for thoughtful introspection and reflection. Am I making decisions that are true to who I am? Am I standing in my truth? Am I telling those who mean a lot

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A Coffee Break of Inspirational Leadership: Let's Laugh More

Dr. Lisa Gonzales

Nov 6, 2018
2 min

A Coffee Break of Inspirational Leadership: Let's Laugh More

I've always felt the phase, "laughter is the best medicine," was kind of dumb. But having visited hospital rooms of friends, I get it. Having been a middle school teacher (yes, there is a special place in heaven for me), I know the importance of finding laughter with students and the learning that comes with it, especially when said laughter is not at the expense of someone else. When we laugh, we relax. We take things a little lighter. We're less on edge. And when we laugh,

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Dr. Lisa Marie Gonzales

#brandher