Self-Awareness and Voltaire

One of the most important characteristics that a school leader can have is visible confidence when problems and stressors are faced.  Early into my time within the ELP program, I recognized that one of the biggest hurdles that I would face would be to not let my anxiety and stress be visible through my body language or words.  It is through conscious focus and experience gained through my internships that I have improved my skills and awareness when facing stressful situations in the school.

I asked for more exposure and experience with stressful situations within a public school setting. I have identified that the problems and conflicts that I experienced being a director of a private school were similar to but different than those that I have been a part of within a public school.  Thankfully my principal advisor was willing and trusted me with more stressful situations.

I have loved learning from my experiences from very delicate situations.  Some of the more serious situations have involved human-relations issues, school culture, departmental culture improvement, programming, and curriculum adjustments.  I have found that being self-aware of my stress and anxiety level has helped how my emotions and body language are being passed along. 

In addition to learning to be more self-aware, I have appreciated a change in my mentality that has helped my visible and internal anxiety.  I have gained a great appreciation for a Voltaire quote that I was told by my principal mentor:  Don’t let perfect be the enemy of good.  It is good to have high aspirations but a principal cannot let perfection overshadow the positive growth the faculty, staff, school culture, or the students have made.  It is not only rewarding but healthy to recognize the work and successes that we as school leaders exert and achieve.