Friday, February 21, 2014

Make their 'list' your 'list'...

It's easy to get caught up in the day-to-day 'grind.'

It's even easier to become completely enveloped in your little world while ignoring the entirety of the world that's around you.

I've noticed when this happens to me I become fixated on finishing my 'list.'

I start to care less and less about what others are doing and what they need and become hyper-focused on getting what I need to accomplish my tasks.

My conversations get shorter and more abrupt... my emails become less cordial... and my overall demeanor becomes less human.

The thing is, I recognize this when it's happening. I don't always recognize it immediately, and sometimes it's too late.

I sometimes feel it necessary to send an apology email or make a phone call in an attempt to repair that interaction after the fact.

I'm not proud of this, but I will own up to it and recognize that it's a behavior I would like to improve upon.

If there's one thing I'm learning about leadership in education, it's that the best way to finish your list is to help others to finish theirs...