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Early in my teaching career, my principal called a leadership team meeting. Sitting on top of the table in the conference room was a small pre-k size blue chair.
The chair represented our students. I was told to keep my students first and foremost. Taking care of the needs of our students was to be everyone’s focus in the building; the principal, the office staff, the custodians, the teachers, the cafeteria workers, etc. It would shift our decisions, create a common bond, and benefit the students.
I remember defensively (and selfishly) thinking, “I DO take care of my students. I lose sleep sometimes worrying about them! I spend hours planning and implementing lessons based on their needs.”
My heart was screaming, “Hey! Take care of me, then I can take care of my students.”
I was struggling with my thoughts.
At the time, I felt less than stellar for such selfish thinking. I said nothing during the meeting, but I walked out of there still questioning the philosophy of that little blue chair.
A few years later, I stumbled across Laura Beth Jones’ book, Jesus, CEO: Using Ancient Wisdom for Visionary Leadership. It’s not a “preachy” book, but one that simply states the leadership style of Jesus Christ. One premise of the book hit me between the eyes: “One person trained twelve human beings who went on to influence the world…” That was it! Jesus took care of his team of 12. They, in turn, took care of the multitudes.
He had many interactions with the multitude, but he focused on pouring Himself into His trusted group. And wow…what a rag-tag group it was! This leads to the second premise of the book:
“This person worked with a staff that was totally human and not divine…a staff that in spite of illiteracy, questionable backgrounds, fractious feelings, and momentary cowardice went on to accomplish the tasks he trained them to do.”
Do you lead a group that is “totally human and not divine”?? Take heart! I’ve got a few tips for you.
Three tips for taking care of your teachers:
1. Treat your staff with love and respect. I believe strongly that you tell others who they are by how you treat them. Joel Manby’s book, Love Works: Seven Timeless Principles for Effective Leadership is my #1 go-to and reference book for leadership. I highly recommend it for all leaders! He explains the concept of leading with love:
“Think about love as a verb, not the emotion. Agape love is the foundation for the best and noblest relationships that humans are capable of. It is deliberate and unconditional love that is the result of choices and behaviors rather than feelings and emotions.
In that regard, agape love is about the values we embrace as a way of life, and it is a determination to behave in a certain way that stems from our regard for other human beings, regardless of how we may feel about them. For leaders, demonstrating agape love is about behavior, not emotion.”
When you create an atmosphere of respect and love, you transform the culture of your workplace. During my time as an administrator, my sounding board husband would always “counsel” me to not respond emotionally (initially agitating me!) in work relations. Shifting my perspective that love is a verb, not the emotion finally made sense.
2. Equip your staff. To the best of your ability, put into their hands what they need to do their job effectively. It’s important to know the strengths and weaknesses of your staff so you can provide them with specific support. Listen to their needs and try to meet them. Incorporate help from parents, volunteers, etc. You don’t have to do it on your own! Do what you can to lighten their load.
3. Appreciate them. The common thread of the products in my shop is APPRECIATION. It is so important! I believe we all understand this and agree. The challenge in this fast-paced world is taking the time and making gratitude a priority. Find something to be thankful about when it comes to your staff, then follow through and let them know!
The 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace by Gary Chapman and Paul White tells us that each of us has a primary appreciation language: Words of Affirmation, Physical Touch, Quality Time, Tangible Gifts, and Acts of Service. I’ve referenced this book in my blog post about staff meetings because it’s such a goodie! (Check out how it was implemented in the school setting.)
After many years teaching and as a fairly new administrator, I walked into a meeting room at Central Office. The tables were set up in a rectangular fashion so that we could all face one another. Sitting in the middle of that rectangle was a small blue chair!
Here we go again!
You may face a similar situation, but rest assured, “Take care of your teachers…and they will take care of the students.”
Recently, I received the following text from one of my former teachers that had transferred to another district:
“Good morning! Wanted to share something that reminded me of you. Yesterday my principal said, “I am here for the teachers so you can be here for the kids.” I heard you say those exact words many times and it hit me like a ton of bricks yesterday… You told me to find the “right fit” for me and before yesterday I felt like I had, but her statement solidified the fact that there is no doubt I am where I am supposed to be!”
Thank you to this principal who made a difference in the life of my friend!
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Have you had any experience with the “little blue chair”? Please share in the comments.
Lead joyfully,
Gail Boulton
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