A former Disney executive, Bailey is the author of the book Release Your Brilliance. "Brilliance is a marathon, not a sprint," said Bailey. "We are all diamonds in the rough. Heat, pressure and time will release the brilliance within us." Bailey spoke candidly about how both his K-12 experience and his professional career has not always had brilliance or magic, even when he worked at the "Mouse House."

The presentation had special significance for me because I recently heard Jim Collins speak (Good to Great) and these two men share a number of important beliefs. Specifically, both Collins and Bailey challenge us to reassess what is important in our lives. What are we passionate about? What will be the inflection point that takes us from good to great? From a rough rock in the earth, to a polished brilliant diamond. They both see the path to brilliance (or greatness as a company) as a lengthy, deliberate, and intentional process.

Bailey applied his diamond analogy to the students in our schools and the school board members leading our public schools. He challenged us to look at all our students as diamonds in the rough. "Every student has potential genius that is supposed to be drawn out by our schools," said Bailey.

The audience was challenged to consider four questions that could lead each of us to drafting a "personal constitution."

* What is your highest priority in life? What do you aspire to do before you expire? What fuels the engine of your soul?
* What have you been put on earth to be, do have?
* What are your values, your non-negotiable principles?
* What would you like to have written on the headstone of your grave?

Again, Collins was asked a similar question by a mentor on his "personal Board of Directors." It was something like, "Jim, what would you do if you had $10 million dollars and 10 years to live." What would you change tomorrow if you new your final deadline? What would you cross off your to do list? What would you focus your energy on?

Simon Bailey challenged us to ask questions that would give us each a new compass on our work with our boards, our students, and our relationships. Revaluating your life and how you view the brilliance of those around you requires change. "You can adapt to change...Change is your friend. Change is a brilliant opportunity to grow," said Bailey.

I look forward to reading Bailey's book as I think it is going to be a "brilliant" companion to my copy of Good to Great.

Brian Wheeler
Albemarle County School Board (VA)