Certainty can feel safe … but certainty is different from clarity (an awareness that leads to a decision).
In this article from the world of business, Marlene Chism writes about the “fulcrum point” of change, and why transformations often stall out before they even begin. And the core principle that she discusses also applies to leadership in schools.
Back in 2022, I posted some thoughts on the importance of avoiding language that seeks to impose. Part of that post was related to the terms “buy in” and “ownership.”
Recently, I ran across an article on this topic that does an excellent job of explaining the rationale for this emphasis on terminology. While the article is actually aimed at people who work in community social work (not principals), and it’s a bit extreme in tone … it’s an excellent review of this core concept.
Enjoy!
This is the time of year when burnout can become a real issue. One way that you and your team can counter this is to develop and implement essential “micro-habits.”
Micro-habits are small, consistent actions that can significantly reduce stress, aid cognitive function, and improve workplace productivity. According to Mary Kelly (author of “Stop Procrastinating Tomorrow”), some of the most effective micro-habits include acknowledging others every day, taking short brain breaks, and using the “two-minute rule” for quick tasks.
Here’s her list of the ten most essential micro-habits. Making these small adjustments should significantly relieve your stress over time, leading to improved performance, better well-being, and greater job satisfaction.
A single grave leadership mistake (whether in private or in public) is often enough to severely damage or destroy the trust that you’ve worked so hard to build with your team and your school’s stakeholders.
But all is not lost!
Allison Dunn of Deliberate Directions outlines a focused recovery strategy that includes assessing the damage, owning up to your mistake (without excuses), and communicating the steps you plan to make to repair and restore damaged relationships. In the words of the author, ” “The people affected by your misstep are watching for signs that your leadership has grown from the experience. They might not be expecting perfection, but they do look for evidence of real change.”
Hopefully, this is a resource that you’ll never need to use! But if the worst happens, then this post can provide wise counsel and specific actions that have the potential to help heal the breach.
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