107. Utilizing Experiences, Rituals and Routines for Values Based Leadership

Having closed out a month of Jewish holiday celebrations in October, I find myself reflecting on how holidays do such a good job of highlighting the importance of routines, rituals, and experiences. Each of them serves a unique role in our daily lives. A routine is a consistent, repeated action we take that helps set expectations and provide structure. For my family during the holidays, that looks like sitting down to have breakfast as a family before my husband goes to synagogue. It keeps us connected during an overwhelming time. A ritual—while similar to a routine—is a meaningful practice that gives an action a greater sense of purpose and helps ground you in your values, such as my family gathering to light the candles on the menorah during Hanukkah. This ritual anchors us to the holiday’s values of connection and family. Experiences are a bit different. Although routines and rituals are types of experiences, what I really mean are the formative experiences that shape who you are.  They’re a way for us to connect with those around us on a deeper level, in a way that no material item can replicate—which is why this past Hanukkah, my husband and I decided to give our kids experiences rather than gifts. What routines, rituals, and experiences have in common is the opportunity they give us to ground ourselves in the present moment. And when we’re present, we have the chance to zero in on our values. You can leverage this power within your center. By considering how you can anchor your routines, rituals, and experiences to the values of your school, you can nourish the connections among your team and transform the culture of your center. In this week’s episode, I’m talking about how to utilize routines, rituals, and experiences in integrating values into the culture of your school.  It’s the final part in our 3-part series on values-based leadership. Join me for a conversation about: The difference between routines, rituals, and experiences  Why rituals are critical for building culture and teaching values How experiences can help you nourish connections among your team How to choose rituals and create experiences that anchor you to your values As we head into the final months of the year, take the time to reflect on how you can leverage the power of routines, rituals, and experiences in weaving your company values into the fibers of your school culture.   Learn more and apply for the Director’s Inner Circle & Owner’s HQ: http://Chanie.me/jointhedic   I’ll be going into even more depth about routines, rituals, and experiences at the 2023 Summit of Excellence, which is all about building legacy through values-based leadership. https://schoolsofexcellence.com/summit Although the event is limited to members only, non-members still have time to join! If you’re interested in attending the event but aren’t yet part of our Owner’s Only HQ and Director’s Inner Circle membership programs, fill out an application today. As a member, you’ll be able to join us at the Summit of Excellence while also benefiting from the leadership support from like-minded peers who are walking the same path.   More about the show: If you are an Early Childhood director or owner, prepare to transform your school and life with the Schools of Excellence podcast. Tune in each week to learn from Chanie Wilschanski, the founder and host of the Schools of Excellence Podcast and a mom of 4 little kids. Each episode will be packed with...