Jann’s Jottings - May 2026
“The most practical pages for perusal on the web”
Jotting (defn): short details of significant events, behaviours and conversations about wellbeing, growth and education/career.
Wellbeing Jot: To serve or be served
“It’s not about you”. We have all heard that at some time or another.
Too often, we get caught up in how we look, sound, and feel – only to forget that we’re not there for us. When we’re in front of our team or an audience, our primary objective should be to serve them well. When we are leading a team, we are there to develop leaders and achieve objectives together.
Zig Ziglar, a motivational speaker and salesman, wrote: “You can get everything in life you want if you’ll just help enough other people get what they want.”
The wellbeing benefits and the deep sense of meaning and purpose we get from helping others is life-giving to both parties.
Ponder this: What is the attitude I carry into helping others?
Coaching can help with that.
Growth Jot: Presence over Production
The never-ending to-do list and the sense of achievement we feel when, we finally reach the end means we have had a productive day. Afterall time is money, and we can measure the outputs. Our culture encourages us to pursue the cult of productivity, and we are rewarded for busyness.
Presence on the other hand emphasises focusing on being fully engaged, mindful and living in the moment. It is here we find joy, creativity and rest, which are proven antidotes to burnout. It is about being alert, aware and alive in the moment with the people we are with.
Productivity is not bad, in fact having fulfilling work, deep focus and meaningful tasks are truly rewarding. Perhaps our challenge is to find space to undertake tasks mindfully, purposefully and meaningfully and leave space in our day for joy, creativity and connection. So, take that walk, read that chapter, truly listen to your special people, knowing that you will be more focused and productive when you return to your to-do list.
Career Jot: Grow your people before you Promote your people.
So many organisations fall into the trap of promoting someone because they are great operators, yet if we don’t grow leadership skills beforehand, we can unintentionally turn our best performers into struggling leaders. A teacher on Friday and a Coordinator on Monday and the skills they were so competent at in the classroom are no longer the skills needed for leading people and achieving the strategic plan. Promoting someone to their next level of incompetence is known as the Peter Principle (Peter & Hull, 1969). It is like a lead soloist in a choir or orchestra becoming the conductor without any experience or learning.
A few things to try:
Identify your next leaders early
Give them opportunity with small projects – do they take ownership, are they accountable, problem solvers, use initiative, inclusive of others?
Model effective communication and conflict resolution.
Offer them leadership learning opportunities
Train and develop them before and early in their role
Leadership does not develop in a day, it develops day by day (John Maxwell).
Successful leaders do consistently what other leaders do occasionally (Craig Groeschel).
Ponder this: Who are your next leaders and what development will you give them?
Coaching and my Aspiring Leaders program can help with that.
“You are loved, valued and worthy. Keep up the great work!”
— Jann Carroll
