Name: Mike Roberts

Title: Superintendent

Organisation: Heard County Schools

I am honored to serve Heard County as superintendent. I started my career in Heard County Schools in 1997 as a special education teacher. I have since served as a social studies teacher, principal, and associate superintendent in our school system.

Thank you to the 2,000 leaders who’ve generously done the 7 Questions on Leadership!

I hope Mike's answers will encourage you in your leadership journey. Enjoy!

Cheers,

Jonno White

1. What have you found most challenging as a leader?

I can't say that I have a lot of challenges, but when I do it tends to stem from those who want their personal goals and wants to supersede those of the entire school community. These people often frame their position falsely on social media in order to bring a negative light to the school community. Most of the time these issues involve students or personnel and the school system cannot respond to the posts. It's a form of social media terrorism in order to advance a particular issue.

2. How did you become a leader? Can you please briefly tell the story?

For me, leadership is about serving others. It's not about a title or a position. I feel like I became a leader by being a good listener and serving others. I served as an assistant principal for five years at an elementary school and a middle school. Next, I was given the opportunity to serve as principal of Ithica Elementary School for five years.

This position afforded me an opportunity to work on my instructional leadership skills. We became one of the highest performing elementary schools in the state of Georgia. Next, I served as the principal of Heard County Middle School for the next four years. By using what I had learned at my previous principalship, the school quickly became a high performing middle school.

I'm proud to say that it is still a high performing school. Next, I had the opportunity to serve at the district level as the Associate Superintendent for seven years and have just recently moved to the superintendent's position. I believe school leadership is about putting students first.

We exist to serve the students of the community above all else. Don't strive to add glamorous things to your resume, just serve the children and the people who serve the children directly. People know when you are doing things for your own advancement and when you are truly student-centered.

3. How do you structure your work days from waking up to going to sleep?

I start my day at 4:15am while everyone in my house is still asleep. I pour myself a big Yeti cup of coffee and study the Bible, read daily devotionals, and journal for about 30 minutes. I then do about 30 minutes of cardio before showering and heading off to the office.

Every day is different at work. Some days are filled with meetings and other days are office days working on emails, purchasing, and preparing for meetings that I facilitate. We are a small district of about 2100 students. I try to visit 3-4 classrooms a week and give feedback to the teachers. It's important to me to recognize the good work going on in our district personally.

Sometimes, it leads to questions depending on what I observe. I spend time at extracurricular events after school a few nights a week. I believe in a good work/life balance so I might not stay for an entire event, but I want the students to know I care.

Once home, we try our best to eat as a family and connect about our day. When the kitchen is cleaned up, I usually sit in my recliner and continue answering emails on my iPad. Every day is different. Some are a lot more difficult than others.

4. What's a recent leadership lesson you've learned for the first time or been reminded of?

Words matter. The higher you go in your leadership, the more careful you need to be with your words. Right or wrong, your words as a leader carry more weight. We have the power to make someone's day with words of encouragement. We also have the ability to hurt someone deeply by using our words carelessly. Be careful with your words. When in doubt, don't criticize ask good questions instead.

5. What's one book that has had a profound impact on your leadership so far? Can you please briefly tell the story of how that book impacted your leadership?

The most transformative book in the world is the Bible. The message is one of God's love for humanity. If you don't love your people, how can you lead them? There are so many leadership lessons that can be found in the Bible. Lessons on what to do and what not to do to be a good leader. There is a Bible commentary by John C. Maxwell that unpacks all of this. It's the Maxwell Leadership Bible. I highly recommend to every leader.

6. If you could only give one piece of advice to a young leader, what would you say to them?

Love the people that you lead. Laugh and enjoy the journey that you are going on together. Complete the mission but don't be the overbearing and serious person who is plotting a course to the top. Love people, serve them and enjoy each day where you are in your leadership journey.

7. What is one meaningful story that comes to mind from your time as a leader, so far?

The thing that is most meaningful to me is the number of people that have served under me that have moved on to be assistant principals, principals, and directors in the field of education. I tried to pour into them and be a model as well as a mentor.

To see them doing great things for children in their roles is so meaningful to me. They serve the children and the adults in their schools that directly serve the children. I hope that I have been a leader that has developed other leaders in our field.