Reflections

I have been fortunate enough to be an educator since 1992 and sometimes catch myself off guard when I think about how much I've learned and how much I still need reminders on. After all of these years, I know that the major source of frustration in this work can come down to communication. And despite all of my best efforts, I still miss a step (I should have known) here and there. I am also acutely aware of misperception .  I think we have images of roles and those can become outdated. I sometimes wish it didn't exist when it comes to leadership and even try to work in full defiance of it but the older I get, the less patience I seem to have for it. What do I mean by this? My answer won't be popular but I'd ask kind readers of this blog to bear with me as I work this out in print. What do I mean by this? I mean, that no matter our best efforts as leaders on all levels, there still exists a tendency to jump to the wrong conclusions about leaders and efforts . So...

I was three and a half hours away from home with two teeenagers and my mother in tow. The tire gauge light came on and of course, worry kicked in. I pulled off the highway and pulled into a nearby Stewart's gas station to fill whichever tire it was that needed air. A very nice young woman watched me struggle trying to remember what the air pressure number  was for the tire. I knew it was on the car or tire somewhere. So, there I am, in the 20mph wind with my hair flying all over trying to remember. She asked if I needed some help and I quickly admitted yes. She explained that the PSI number I needed could be found right inside my door. And boom, she was right. 33. She stayed with me as I fumbled with each tire making sure I was all set. It was so kind of her. She advised me not to worry if the tire light did not go off right away.  I thanked her at least five times before she drove out of the gas station. We arrived to our destination just fine and the car sat overnight. I...