Cordes Lindow LLC

From Classroom to Boardroom: How My Teaching Skills Empower Business Owners

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From Classroom to Boardroom: How My Teaching Skills Empower Business Owners

Cordes Lindow

Monday, May 05, 2025

Have you ever experienced that magical feeling where work doesn't feel like work? Where you're deeply engaged, productive, and time seems to fly by? That's the essence of **flow**, an optimal state where you are working at your best and finding the most fulfillment in life. I discovered this profound state during my time as a teacher, and it has become the guiding principle not only for my own business but also for how I help other business owners. In my last year of teaching, something shifted. The work became inspiring, innovative, and it simply flowed. It was, without a doubt, my most amazing year in the classroom. Looking back, I can pinpoint several key reasons why I was able to achieve this state of flow, and these same principles now form the foundation of my framework for business owners.

Introducing the FLOW Framework for Business Owners

Inspired by the groundbreaking work of psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, the author of "Flow," I've developed a simple yet powerful framework to help business owners cultivate this optimal state in their daily work life. This framework is built on four key pillars:

Focus

Love

Operations

Well-being

Let's dive into each of these elements and explore how they contributed to my flow as a teacher and how they can be applied to your business.

hand holding up a lens with a clear view of the scene through the lens

F is for Focus: Mastering Your Attention for Maximum Impact

In my final year of teaching, a significant change allowed me to sharpen my focus:

1 Thing

I transitioned to part-time, teaching only four classes, all centered around the same subject. This reduction in scope was transformative. It allowed me to concentrate all of my brainpower on planning and thinking deeply about that one topic. By dedicating my mental energy to a singular area, I could optimize my efforts, develop richer content, and connect with the material on a deeper level.

For business owners, this translates to identifying your core priorities and strategically reducing distractions to maximize your impact.

Clear Goals

I started the year with the end firmly in mind. I didn't just think about what I wanted my students to know or understand; instead, I focused intently on observable and measurable outcomes. For example, instead of a vague goal like "understand the genocide," my goals were specific: students would be able to explain the factors leading to genocide, identify events that qualify as genocide, and articulate effective responses to genocide. This clarity in objectives provided a roadmap for my teaching and ensured that every lesson was purposeful.

Similarly, for business owners, defining clear, measurable goals for your team and your business as a whole provides direction and allows you to track progress effectively.

People gathered around a computer and smiling

L is for Love: Cultivating Connection and Passion in Your Work

The "Love" pillar encompasses the crucial element of connection and genuine care in your work:

Relationship Building with Students

This was a multifaceted effort:

Feedback Sessions: Weekly sessions were dedicated to gathering feedback on how I could improve and for students to develop their human skills, such as goal setting and giving constructive feedback.

Reflective Endings: We ended each class with "AHA" moments (sharing insights), recognizing someone who helped them, or offering apologies. This fostered a culture of reflection, gratitude, and accountability.

Collaborative Learning: I organized students into groups to encourage peer support and dedicated time for brainstorming and discussion.

Celebrations: We celebrated birthdays and other milestones to build a positive and supportive classroom culture.

Student Autonomy: I allowed students to have some say in their work for the day, fostering a sense of ownership and engagement.

Thinking from Their Perspective: I tried to see things from my students' point of view. This led me to centralize all important information – due dates, assignments, tests, projects, and expectations – in one easily accessible place. I utilized centralized trackers and visual aids to help students stay organized and on track. This provided clarity and reduced the need for constant reminders.

One-on-One Time: Throughout the year, I made sure to spend individual time with each student. This allowed me to understand their unique needs, challenges, and strengths, and to offer personalized support. I made an effort to connect with them on a personal level, fostering a sense of trust and mutual respect.

As a result of my intentional relationship building, one senior, new to the school, ended up rooming in college with another senior she met in my class – a direct result of the relationship-building efforts fostered throughout the year.

For business owners, this translates to prioritizing relationships with your customers and employees. As business owners, we need to be intentional about creating structures and patterns to build relationships between us and customers and employees and also to empower them to connect with each other. Building strong connections fosters loyalty, collaboration, and a more positive work environment.

Relationship Building with Other Teachers

To make my daily work experience more enjoyable and sustainable, I made a conscious effort to connect with my colleagues:

Department Lunch: I regularly ate lunch with my department, creating opportunities for informal communication and connection.

Social Occasions: I participated in social gatherings organized by colleagues, strengthening bonds and fostering a sense of camaraderie.

This investment in work relationships meant I had a network of people to turn to for questions, and I was also available to offer my support. Knowing I had colleagues facing similar challenges and willing to collaborate on solutions significantly improved my daily experience.

In the business world, cultivating positive relationships with other professionals in your industry can lead to valuable collaborations, mentorship opportunities, and a stronger sense of community.

Social Relationships

My well-being outside of work also played a crucial role:

Connecting with Friends and Neighbors: I made time to connect with friends and neighbors in person and via phone. These consistent social interactions boosted my overall wellbeing and provided me with the emotional resilience needed to navigate work stressors and family issues.

For business owners, nurturing your personal relationships is essential for maintaining balance and preventing burnout. Strong social connections provide support and perspective, which can positively impact your business life.

Sticky notes and flowcharts with the hands of thre people mapping out a process.

O is for Operations: Streamlining Processes for Efficiency and Ease

Efficient operations are the backbone of a smooth and sustainable workflow:

Routines

I developed clear systems and routines to minimize decision fatigue and wasted time:

Uniform Structure: I followed a consistent pattern for each of my approximately 12 units throughout the year. This predictability streamlined my planning and preparation process.

Efficient Systems: I implemented efficient systems for quickly grading written work, freeing up valuable time.

For business owners, establishing clear routines for recurring tasks can significantly improve efficiency and reduce mental clutter.

Templates

Leveraging templates saved me countless hours:

Document and Task Templates: I created and utilized templates for unit plans, trackers, presentations, tests, projects, and daily/weekly schedules. This eliminated the need to reinvent the wheel for repetitive tasks.

In your business, identifying frequently repeated tasks and creating templates can dramatically increase efficiency and consistency.

Planning: Proactive planning was key to achieving my goals:

Year-Long Planning: I planned out my entire academic year in advance, aligning my curriculum with the desired end outcomes and the school calendar. By pre-planning and marking milestones on my calendar, I ensured that I stayed on track and covered all necessary material. This proactive approach prevented the common scenario of running out of time at the end of the year.

Delegating: I needed hundreds of copies every week. As a teacher, much time was wasted standing at the copier and waiting for 1 of two copiers shared by 150 teachers (or facing emergency situations when the copiers broke down). By pre-planning all my photocopy requests one week in advance, I was able to submit my request to the support staff and save hours spent at the photocopier.

For business owners, strategic long-term planning, broken down into smaller, manageable steps, is crucial for achieving your vision. Anticipating needs, like material procurement or resource allocation, can prevent unnecessary stress and delays.

Using Software

Technology played a vital role in streamlining my workflow:

Information Management: I used OneNote to collect ideas, resources, and notes for all upcoming units and lessons. This centralized digital workspace allowed me to capture inspiration whenever it struck and organize it for future use. Planning for the entire year became more manageable with all my resources in one place.

Cloud-Based Communication: I utilized web-based software to share information with my students. By uploading resources, sharing dates and assignments online, I significantly reduced the number of repetitive questions and empowered students to find the information they needed independently. Students could also track their progress, fostering greater accountability.

Identifying and leveraging the right software tools can automate tasks, centralize information, and improve communication within your business, freeing up your time and energy.

Batching

Grouping similar tasks together increased my focus and efficiency:

Batch Preparation: I would plan out entire units at once and prepare all the necessary handouts in a single session. This allowed for uninterrupted focus and prevented the time-consuming process of constantly switching between different types of tasks. By batching similar activities, I could then dedicate my limited free time during the school day to grading, emails, or other requirements without disrupting my planning flow.

For business owners, batching similar tasks like answering emails, making phone calls, or creating content can improve concentration and overall productivity.

body of a woman on a bike in the countryside

W is for Wellbeing: Nurturing Your Mind, Body, and Spirit

Sustained flow requires a foundation of wellbeing:

Mind

I actively invested in my nurturing my mind:

Continuous Learning: I dedicated time to learning how to improve my lessons through books, podcasts, and internet research. This commitment to continuous improvement enhanced the learning experience for my students and kept my work engaging.

Spiritual Practices: I also incorporated daily meditation, prayer, and reading the Bible into my routine. These practices provided me with a sense of calm, focus, and inner strength.

For business owners, prioritizing your mind through continuous learning keeps your skills sharp and your business innovative. Incorporating mindfulness or spiritual practices can reduce stress and enhance mental clarity.

Rest

Setting rest times without ‘work’ was crucial for helping me recharge and face my work with more energy and creativity:

Daily work breaks: I established strict end times for my workday and forced myself to finish before that time. I refused to work through lunch. I made a conscious decision not to bring grading home so that I could enjoy being with friends and family.

Sabbath: I chose to not work on Sundays (not even house chores such as cleaning or shopping). This dedicated time for rest allowed me to truly feel refreshed and face my work more energetically and enthusiastically.

Establishing clear boundaries between work and personal life is vital for long-term sustainability and preventing burnout as a business owner.

Movement

Physical activity was an integral part of my daily routine:

Daily Steps and Yoga: I made a point to get my steps in every day and practice yoga. Even the simple act of walking to and from my classroom contributed significantly to my daily activity levels.

Incorporating regular physical activity into your routine has numerous benefits for both your physical and mental health, ultimately boosting your energy and focus as a business owner.

Nutrition

Fueling my body with healthy food supported my overall wellbeing:

Meal Planning and Delivery: I planned out balanced meals on Saturdays using the Paprika app, created my grocery list, and used InstaCart for delivery. Having a meal plan and groceries readily available made it easy to prepare wholesome meals for my family each day.

Prioritizing healthy nutrition provides the energy and focus needed to navigate the demands of running a business. (See my previous article on the importance of avoiding refined carbohydrates for business owners)

Applying the FLOW Framework to Your Business

The principles that helped me find flow as a teacher are directly applicable to the world of business. I now apply these same principles to my own business as I teach, coach, and consult with other business owners who are seeking that same magical state of flow. I know firsthand that it's not just wishful thinking; it's achievable through intentional steps.

Now, I help business owners like you to:

Focus

Get crystal clear on your top priorities by defining observable and measurable objectives. This allows you to eliminate the overwhelming clutter of endless to-do lists and competing demands on your time, enabling you to concentrate on what truly moves the needle.

Love

Cultivate a foundation of self-compassion, empowering you to take bold actions for your own success. I also guide you in developing strong, mutually beneficial relationships with your customers (fostering loyalty and referrals), other businesses (for learning and support), and your employees (empowering them to contribute their best).

Operations

Implement simple and effective systems to streamline your business processes, making your workflow easier and reducing unnecessary stress. I help clients find tools and strategies for centralized information management and automated workflows, freeing up your time for more strategic activities.

Wellbeing

Develop sustainable routines that prioritize continuous learning, adequate rest, regular movement, and nourishing nutrition.

Ready to Find Your Business Flow?

My weekly blog and Friday newsletter offer actionable steps on these topics. I also offer courses, such as the June course for teachers transitioning to business and the January course for empowered CEOs. For personalized support, my 90-day coaching program involves goal setting, bi-weekly accountability sessions, and the development of an ongoing personal development plan. Additionally, I provide individualized consulting projects where I analyze your business for friction points and deliver tailored recommendations for improvement.

Woman sitting on a couch with a laptop and talking on the phone with me and she is now so happy

If you're a business owner who's ready to experience more ease, fulfillment, and productivity in your daily work life, I invite you to take the next step. Book a free, 15-minute discovery call to explore how we can work together to help you find your unique business flow!