No Excuses Leadership

Present About Perception: Find Your Fran

I've been blessed to come across some incredible educators over the course of my career.  One of my dearest friends and confidants is a school counselor named Fran.  As a counselor, she always seems to be the "go to" person for kids, parents, and teachers in need of advice. On occasion, she's been known to be preemptive in her support by offering advice before a need arises.  On one such occasion, I found myself to be the benefactor.

During my first year as a principal, Fran sat down with me to discuss some ups and downs I was experiencing as a leader.  While my instinct was to seek out ways to change the behaviors of others whom I led, Fran urged me to concentrate on the ways I might first change my own behavior.  She went on to share, "Damen, perception is reality.  Right or wrong, some will perceive the things you say and do as positive, while others will perceive them as negative. Your response to those perceptions is going to make or break you as a leader."  

After her words, we sat down and listed three positive and negative ways others might perceive me as a leader.  After that, we discussed how I might react to those perceptions.  For example:

Positive Perception: Teachers found me to be inspirational in staff meetings.

My Reaction: Individualize that inspiration by spending more time in classrooms to offer genuine words of praise and support for teachers and students.

Negative Perception: Sometimes I was so focused on motivating others with my words, I didn't take the time to listen to the important ideas they might share.

My Reaction: After presenting an idea, I set a timer for three to five minutes for me to just remain silent and listen to the ideas from individuals in the group.

 Learning to sometimes take emotion out of the equation and deal only with perception was one of the best strategies for success I've ever learned.  As a recipient of Fran's counsel, I became a much better leader. 

TAKE ACTION

Find your Fran. Sit down with them and list three ways, both positive and negative, others might perceive you as a leader. After that, make a list of reactions to those perceptions that will lead to greater success for you and others on your campus.

BE BOLD

"What people perceive is usually what they believe, and this is based on what they hear, see and think. Most of the time we cannot control what happens but we can always control our reactions."

- Ashley Fern -