Two Lessons From My First Administrative Mentor

When I was completing coursework to become an administrator, I saw leadership (and its inherent responsibilities) in an incomplete way. I was certain I was cut out for the job and could do things differently than I was seeing them done around me. If only I could secure that just right position!

I will forever be thankful to the first administrator that took a chance on letting me jump from the classroom to a district level position coordinating elementary special education services. I made many mistakes those first few years and still, to this day, remember two of the many lessons he taught me.

I had the opportunity to pay forward his advice by sharing it with newer administrators (and administrators in training) this week. His advice from 15 years ago still works.


Lesson #1

This work is a marathon, not a sprint.

I remember lamenting out loud to anyone that would listen to me in my new role about "all I had to do" and if only "there were more hours in the day". Work has always been something I've dived head first into and I've always needed reminders to balance between home and school. He would end up pulling me aside on more than one occasion to remind me that this work, our work, is never really done. We pace ourselves and stay on course. As one task or project is complete, the next is up around the bend. The true race in leadership is there isn't one. We don't focus on the one that crosses the finish line first. We focus on getting everyone where we need to be, together.


Lesson #2

Never kill the dead guy.

When you assume an administrative position, you are most always following someone who had the position before you. The inclination to come right in and immediately change everything implies that what was there before wasn't good. Yet, if you have to change something (and you most often will since change can be a good thing), don't blame that change on the "dead guy" (the person who had the position before you).  I've left two districts as an administrator and have always felt crushed to hear stories of being thrown under the bus for one thing or another as if the exit meant the time spent in the district wasn't of value.

Shortly after leaving my first district as an administrator, I had heard a story about something I had helped to complete in the previous district. The story was not entirely accurate and I had called my mentor, Dave, to complain. I went on and on about how unfair it was to be represented that way. How could I just sit back and let people think that?

He told me then, and it has held true today, "Lisa, people always blame the dead guy. Don't let it get to you. Just don't ever do it yourself."

It's easy to blame a decision on your predecessor but without the background to understand how things were decided and why, it's unfair. This lesson is tougher, in some ways, to hold oneself too. I truly believe that most people who enter administration do it with the real intent to make a difference for students. Any work that they helped to lead is/was of value. Times change and schools change and the work has to change. But, what was contributed at that time, doesn't lose worth.


Thanks for teaching me these lessons, Dave. 

And...

Pursuit of Happyness

(Dave, watch the clip)

For believing in me, giving me my first chance, and remaining as one of many mentors.

Yesterday and still today.