Our district is dealing with some construction this year, and as a result, they have squeezed our middle school into both the elementary school and high school campuses. It’s been a great process of collaboration, innovation, and patience.
One of the dynamics that appeared surrounded parking. There just was not enough parking for everyone. A number of staff agreed to park in the lower lot. It’s pretty wide open and not that far from the building so it all worked out. On my walk from the lower lot, I pass by the water treatment plant of the district. There certainly is a unique smell early in the morning and it got me thinking about dealing with sh%t each day. There’s an employee that has to go out there each morning to maintain the system and make sure all is working properly. He is literally dealing with sh%t. He’s prepared for it, he knows what to look for and how to keep the sh%t moving.
I have some similar responsibilities in my job as principal. I should and need to be prepared to deal with some sh%t (mostly figurative, but sometimes literally). We try to create environments where the amount of sh%t is less, and the atmosphere is hopefully more positive, but it is part of the job. If you’re prepared for it and you’re prepared to get dirty from time to time again, it just becomes part of the job and it’s not a negative. It’s just dealing with some sh%t.
Sometimes kids get really upset, sometimes the adult’s misstep, and sometimes you get kicked in the shins. This is both literal and figurative, it happens and you need to be prepared for it.
Walking by that visual reminder of the water treatment plant each morning as I head to work I’m reminded that I’m going to have to deal with some sh%t today and it prepped me for the job. As you prepare for your day, be reminded that you are going to have to deal with some shit as well. Keep rolling friends and keep the soap and hand wash close by!
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#LeadershipSparks: Grammy’s Tips
Quote: “Leadership is unlocking people’s potential to become better.”
—Bill Bradley
