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

<p>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.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>Experiences are a bit different. Although routines and rituals are <em>types</em> of experiences, what I really mean are the formative experiences that shape who you are. </p> <p>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.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>Join me for a conversation about:</p> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">The differe