Isolation Won't Make the Problem go Away

I agree with New York Times opinion editor Maureen Dowd when she says President Obama has remained isolated during times of conflict with others and his party and those who oppose him. She talks about the president's leadership in a January 24, 2015 article that immediately followed his State of the Union address (click to read Dowd's piece).

Learning from the experiences of a sitting leader has compelled me to reflect on my own relationships with those who may present obstacles to my efforts for reforming school programs. The lesson learned here- don't stay apart from the fray. Embrace conflict, maintain lines of communication always, and most of all, don't let anger corrupt your true nature and focus on the real deal, which is doing right by kids.

This post is part of my "Leadership Lessons From American Presidents" series.