LIKE vs RESPECT

LIKE VS RESPECT

I enjoy watching athletics, and at this stage of my life I marvel at the tremendous conditioning required for athletes to compete at a level the average individual cannot comprehend. The grace and athleticism demonstrated at the highest levels is truly a gift a very small percentage of humans possess.

I Iike these athletes and what they contribute to the fabric of our society. However, I possess a much deeper feeling for the players who show true respect for their sport, the gifts they have received, and for what it means to be a participant in their sport. It is demonstrated in the following ways:

Dedication to the city or school at or in one plays

Dedication to self-improvement

Dedication to the concept of “team” before self

A love of the game and the realization that it is a game

A willingness to sacrifice for the good of the team before one’s personal statistics

Living an exemplary lifestyle

Commitment to family

An obligation to mentor younger players who someday might replace him

A commitment to practice

Commitment to a “Whatever it takes” mindset

Respect for his fans and a fan’s right to criticize

Understanding of the special talent with which he has been blessed

Thoughtful treatment of all team personnel

Willingness to always do more than is expected for the team, the fans, the city and for the game he/she plays

One’s treatment of the media and the press and an understanding that a player is a public figure and a role model

Those thoughts are significant though not profound. Perceptive, but what do they have to do with educational leadership? I was recently engaged in a conversation with a colleague about the traits of an effective school principal. I made the point that I have given considerable thought to support my belief that there is a significant difference in a principal’s success based on the way the way they approach or view the position they have been given. I believe the difference lies in the performance of the person who “respects” the job as opposed to one who only “likes” the job; when examined closely, the values are remarkably different. My colleague asked, “What do you mean? I don’t see any difference.”

That one might not see the difference had never occurred to me, but in my effort to explain myself I don’t believe my rambling response would have convinced anyone. Therefore, I decided to commit my thoughts to print to see if what I so strongly believe makes any sense at all.

There is no job in modern education that does not carry a significant measure of stress and demands on time, personal budgets, and hard work. So, what is there to like about being a principal? The list that follows compares some, but not all, of the “perks.”

Frequent breaks and vacations, sometimes for extended periods of time

Salaries that are improving

Non-salary benefits

The adoration of children and, yes, sometimes even their parents and the community

The title

The office

The opportunity to lead; at times it seems against insurmountable odds that serve to heighten the challenge

A chance for future opportunities to assume higher positions of leadership

Opportunities to build one’s reputation

The opportunity to add to one’s personal resume or profile

A chance to increase one’s storehouse of knowledge and tools

There are many more reasons to like being a school administrator, and all of them contribute to the respect a leader affords his position, but the true feeling of respect occurs at a much deeper level:

A tremendously strong, carefully crafted set of personal beliefs or values that are always on display

A belief in self-sacrifice; servant leadership

The desire to always HONOR the position, the title, Principal, and the profession

A commitment to hard work

The ability to see and practice:

Sharing knowledge

Self-control, self-discipline.

Loyalty to those in command

Gravitas

Commitment to lifelong learning

The knowledge that one contributes meaningfully to the lives of children

To know one’s work affects the future

The job never stops; leadership never takes a break

A deep, authentic belief that all children are capable of growth

Responsibility to mentor one’s subordinates

Knowledge of one’s limitless sphere of influence

A responsibility to encourage, to build, but never to tear down

The opportunity to hone one’s skills

It is an exciting time in education and the stakes have never been higher. The demands placed on leaders have never been as complicated as what they now experience. The likelihood of success is critically dependent on knowing oneself and understanding why one has chosen this pathway. What do you think?