Spike’s first book, Connected Leadership: It’s Just a Click Away, was released by Corwin Press in the fall of 2014. This book focuses on the need to be connected and practical steps necessary to make it a reality. Spike’s second book Breaking Out Of Isolation: Becoming a Connected School Leader was released in August of 2015. Spike wrote this book with Jessica Johnson and Theresa Stager about the isolation that plagues school leaders, and how to overcome it through social media.
You can connect with Spike on Twitter @drspikecook
Spike’s Blog: http://drspikecook.com/
Spike’s Podcast: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/principalpln/id911466521
Spike shares a little about his background, including his real name (2:09)
Why Spike talks about the book he recently co-authored, Breaking Out of Isolation: Becoming a Connected School Leader, and some of his reasons for writing it (4:15)
Some tips on how to maintain real connections and deep engagements with people in our age of smart phones and social networks (8:00)
How do you juggle life, family, work, and writing a book (or anything else you’re very passionate about)? (13:40)
How to find the motivation necessary to stay focused on a long term goal (20:40)
How writing books changed Spike’s life and career (23:25)
When and why Spike made the decision to go into education (26:00)
Some of the challenges Spike faced in the early years of his education career (34:20)
Some of the biggest changes and areas of growth Spike has experienced since starting (37:37)
What Spike learned about education on his recent trip to China (45:27)
Spike recalls two of the best moments of his administration career so far (51:55)
The best leadership advice Spike ever got (56:20)
The ability to develop relationships is one of the most critical skills for admins (58:50)
Spike’s books recommendations for education leaders and aspiring leaders (59:19)
Spike’s advice for school administrators on working with students (1:00:52)
His advice for school administrators on working with the teachers in your building (1:01:16)
If Spike had a time machine, here’s the advice he would go back and give his younger self when he was just starting out in school administration (1:02:23)
Books mentioned in this episode
Breaking Out of Isolation: Becoming a Connected School Leader
Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less
Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life
What Great Principals Do Differently: Eighteen Things That Matter Most
Shifting the Monkey: The Art of Protecting Good People From Liars, Criers, and Other Slackers
The Fred Factor: How Passion in Your Work and Life Can Turn the Ordinary into the Extraordinary
Connect with Spike Cook
About EducatorsLead:
Educators Lead is a podcast created to help launch educators into the next level of leadership. This show is for you if you are interested in educational leadership as an assistant principal, principal, superintendent, teacher or someone who hopes to be a school leader one day. Educators Lead offers inspiration and practical advice to help you lead more effectively. Jay Willis interviews school leaders weekly to discuss why and when these educators made the decision to move into school leadership, challenges along the journey, and stories that made it all worthwhile. Educators Lead is a great resource for any educator looking to make a greater impact.
Educate. Inspire. Lead.
