#CelebrateMonday
January 23, 2017
Sometimes I think as leaders we feel compelled (and perhaps that we are expected) to say yes to almost everything that comes our way.
As the world of education continues to evolve, and as we learn more about students and what it takes to help them learn and achieve their best, we are often very tempted to say yes to new programs or approaches that we see. After all, we want what is best for our students and our teachers.
In our efforts to do all that we can for the students we care about, we can end up putting more on the plates of our teachers - and on our own plates - than we can all actually handle or do well.
Sometimes, we need to stop and think - and sometimes we need to say no.
I mean - we can do amazing and awesome things - you know we can! But if we are honest with ourselves - we know we can't do everything.
We need to take time and space to consider what really deserves our time and attention.
I think this becomes especially challenging for us as leaders.
Sometimes, leaders become confused about what helps establish and achieve a positive legacy. It isn't about the number of committees on which we serve, or how many times we say yes when we are asked to get involved with something or to lead something. While in the short term it may seem as though this earns us accolades and commendations, in the long run these are not what builds our legacies.
And as our jobs grow and change, we may need to reevaluate our commitments - and we may find that we need to say "no" to things we have said "yes" to in the past. I can speak firsthand about this, as this year I had to give up some leadership commitments (near and dear to me), so I can better focus on and do my job. It's not easy to do this, but sometimes it is what is needed. My legacy will not benefit from me holding on to those commitments when my plate is so full. Something, maybe not those commitments, but something will suffer (which just can't be good - for the people I work for or for my legacy).
This, among many other excellent perspectives are provided in this post - and can help us on our way of considering when and under what circumstances we need to say no.
I love that he asks himself "How many times have I worn exhaustion as a status symbol?" Boom! If we are working to the point of exhaustion, we should not be proud to have that as part of our legacy. Doing good work is what should make us proud.
This post is an excellent read (and another quick one!) - this may be something to say "yes" to!
To be the best leaders we can be, we have to make really good decisions on a daily basis. Sometimes, that decision has be be "no."
Happy Monday! Don't forget to make this the best Monday of the week!
Cheers!