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Too often individuals who reach management or administrative positions feel overwhelmed by all the demands on their time and energy. As a way to save time and energy, rookie administrators will often resort to memos and announcements rather than working on conversations and facilitating discussions.
Often administrators fall for one of two unsuccessful strategies. One is gimmicks. There are several successful strategies to help build teams. The problem is that every one of the successful, research-based strategies requires time. It is easy to implement quality circles, conflict resolution training, site-based management, or other such strategy in a system. The test is living up to the principles of the strategy or just using it a smoke-screen. The catch is making the strategy part of the culture—just the way we do business around here.
A second pothole in the road to success is lip service. Putting a mission statement on paper with no intent of ever living up to that statement is an insult to not only the school, but the employees and patrons of the district. To claim we are learner-centered BUT never give support staff adequate training to do their job well is a poor investment on behalf of the district and will result in dissatisfaction, frequent turnover in employees, and poor work completion.
Walk in their shoes. Ride each bus route once each year. Spend time in the kitchen with the kitchen staff. Wear your blue jeans one day and spend time with the custodial staff. Help man the phones over the noon hour to see what life is like for the secretarial staff. Tutor a child with a learning disability from time-to-time to witness the struggles and satisfaction paraprofessionals feel and see. |
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