Am I just doing my job?
It's been nearly three years since I moved from being Year One Teacher / Leader in a really happy school, a position I loved, to being a Vice-Principal in what was perceived to be not such a happy workplace.
When I began my new position I went out of my way to make sure that I had presence. I remember well being in the staffrooms of nearly every school I have worked in with colleagues speaking about the leadership / management team inevitably using the words:
"Where are they? What do they even do anyway?"
I made a promise to myself and others that I would always be around, I would always be visible and I would never hide in the office.
After a few months at school I was having a conversation with one of my colleagues. It was not an easy conversation but a useful and powerful discussion. Towards the end of the chat she said:
"People are calling you Superman..."
I felt my shoulders rise and my head slightly expand...
"...but you're not are you? You're just doing your job."
Boom.
This nugget of wisdom has stayed with me. I have told the story on a few occasions.
The perspective it has given me over these three years has been a gift I did not see coming. Whatever I do, however hard I work, however many tweets I tweet or conferences I present at I am just doing my job.
Or am I?
My job description lays out many actions for me to perform.
Is that my job?
Whilst thinking about this I remembered this post, 8 Leadership Essentials by Eric Sheninger, who is an amazing Principal, blogger, sharer and educationalist.
In it he shares this diagram of leadership:
Am I just doing my job? Am I just my job description?
No.
I go out of my way and give %150 for all of those I work and learn with everyday. I do this in a number of ways.
Do you?
No.
I go out of my way and give %150 for all of those I work and learn with everyday. I do this in a number of ways.
Do you?
Sometimes being a hero is all about showing up.
ReplyDeleteI was called that this year (also my first year in admin) - but it was probably due to the fact that the position was new. This was the first year Junior School teachers would have a consistent person to turn to for help.
In my opening staff meeting, I shared my belief about my job: My job is to remove any obstacles that would inhibit teaching and learning in your classroom. My other job is to help enhance teaching and learning in every classroom.
I hope that is always my job :).
Janet