Hey friends. I wrote this blog about a month ago, before all this #coronavirus hit. God bless you and your families during this time. The topic of this blog still rings true, even though we are not in schools, and may not be for quite some time. I challenge you to let them see you shine, in whatever way that can be. Try new things, communicate, and continue to lead doing your best.
My friend, mentor, and former supervisor in the ACC, Atlantic 10, and Colonial Basketball League, John Clougherty, used to say this often to his officials. “Never miss an opportunity to let them see you shine.” From the moment you leave your car, to greeting the security staff, to communicating with the event managers, to sharing with your partners, to walking out on the floor, hustling, and then certainly getting the calls right. All opportunities for you to be a professional, do a good job, and represent you, your family, and your officiating organization.
Some may think that this is showing off, or egotistical, but it is not. You were hired in that position for a reason. What are those reasons? You are super smart, an awesome communicator, a visionary, energetic, invested in the community, and go above and beyond for kids.
It’s all of these and more. Each and every day we have an opportunity to do these things in our schools, hallways, cafeteria, on the phone, at dismissal, on social media and more.
Just recently for example, I was at school for an evening informational session. I was not running the event but I was there to support my staff, the students, and their families. I threw a sport coat on, made sure there was good music on as people were entering, provided coffee and cookies, and greeted people as they were coming in.
I thanked the custodial staff for the cleanliness of the area and helped to make sure all was set as the evening ended. I provided some feedback to our presenters, most certainly positive, as well as some points for reflection. I told a brief story at the intermission and thanked everyone for being there. I was able to connect with multiple people in that short period of time, as well as do a number of positive behavior deposits.
It’s activities like this I’m talking about when I say never miss an opportunity to let them see you shine.
That doesn’t mean you are showing off or calling attention to yourself. Yet you are using your gifts and talents in many areas for the betterment of the school and the community. Are you making those around you better? Are you making social situations as well as events at the school engaging and worthwhile? That shine that you put out: the energy, the positive expectations of others, etc. are all part of that mantra. You’re a professional and you work hard! Stick that in your pocket and remember it the next time you’d want to sit back and be in cruise control at an event or at a school function. I challenge you to “never miss an opportunity to let them see you shine.”
Quote: “Shine your light and make a positive impact on the world; there is nothing so honorable as helping improve the lives of others.”
– Roy T. Bennett
