No Excuses Leadership

Apologize for Something

Candor must be given AND received by our boldest leaders.  Unfortunately, too many think it's a one way street.  Some administrators set a tone where candor only takes place on their terms, towards the people they manage.  This is a killer to creating a culture of candor.  If you want to develop an environment rich with honesty and professionalism, you have to encourage everyone to be candid no matter their position. The best way to do this is to model an attitude of openness where you are forthcoming about your own flaws.

As a principal, every month, I would set a random alert on my calendar.  It read: Apologize for something.  When this alert would pop up on my computer, I'd leave my office and walk the campus.  I'd think of a situation I might have mishandled with a student, parent, or staff member and go directly to that person to offer my contrition.  Sometimes I'd offer my apology to a student for missing out on viewing their project at the science fair.  Other times I would offer my apology to a teacher for not handling a discipline issue as well as I should have.  Occasionally, I'd take advantage of a staff meeting to share a regret with the entire staff.

I'll be honest, rarely were there issues so egregious that my apology was warranted.  In fact, most of my conversations ended with someone saying "Oh, stop.  You don't need to apologize for that!"  Even still, the power behind all of this was found simply in the act of apologizing.  It sent a message to others that I make mistakes, while at the same time modeled the art of saying "I'm sorry."  

TAKE ACTION

One of my favorite books is The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni. I believe all five of the dysfunctions Lencioni writes about (Absence of Trust, Fear of Conflict, Lack of Commitment, Avoidance of Accountability, and Innattention to Results) are intertwined in some form or fashion with our ability, or lack thereof, to create a culture of candor.  If you're struggling to instill candor among your teams, start by building the trust Lencioni writes about. Your willingness to show vulnerability through the act of apologizing is a great way to begin.

BE BOLD

Listen to Lencioni as he offers a brief overview about
The Five Dysfunctions of a Team.  
If you're intrigued, consider reading the book with your leadership team.