Do you have visibility in your organization?

As a leader, do you struggle to be visible? Is it difficult to be everywhere at the same time? Frustrated that the cloning software hasn’t activated yet? If you answered yes to any or all of these questions, we’re in the same boat!

I am fortunate to be teaching a graduate class at Rowan University this semester titled Educational Organization and Leadership. One of our recent assignments was for students to interview an administrator about building management. The students wrote such compelling accounts of their interviews that they inspired me to reflect on my own practice. I am so grateful for your inspiration!

Courage begins by showing up and being seen. Brene Brown

In my first directorial role, I rarely worried about my visibility. I was the only administrator in a building with 320 children and about 40 full-time employees during the day. There were 3 floors and about 22 classrooms. The main office and my office were connected by a sliding door. Getting around the building was relatively easy and I was able to communicate with the staff on a daily basis. This was my life for 5 years. Trust me, there were tough times and I’m sure the amnesia has kicked in regarding my perception of visibility, but for the most part this was my world.

Fast forward to now as I approach my two year anniversary at Lakeside High School. I struggle with visibility. I am the principal of the building with 3 assistant principals, 120 employees during the day, and 1,100 students with more than 75 classrooms, two floors, and 10 hallways. A hallway is literally 1/4 mile. It’s an exciting building to work in and there’s never a dull moment.

What does the data say?

We used the McREL Walkthrough system and I was able to go back to see how many tutorials I’ve completed in the last two years. I have taken 205 tours in the classroom.

In that same time, I formally observed about 75 employees averaging forty minutes (some with pre-conferences and all with post-conferences). I have attended about 25 PLC sessions. We have had monthly staff meetings, subcommittee meetings, department meetings, and about 10 professional development days. Plus, I’ve done about 160 homework assignments in the cafeteria (very few this year) and been away through countless class changes. I spend almost every morning and afternoon at the front of the school directing traffic and directing students.

According to my SAM data, since October 2016 I have worked about 2,300 hours. In 2016-17, I spent 53% of my “instructional” time compared to this year where I spent just 40%. In both years I have spent about 30% of the time in “management” and about 3% in personal time (rarely lunch). Each year I average about 17% “unscheduled” time, which basically means I have a hard time remembering what I actually did.

Vulnerability is the birthplace of innovation, creativity, and change. Brene Brown

So what is the problem?

Looking at the data above, it appears that I am very active in the school building, but I have to admit that staff members have told me the following:

• “Do you still work here?”

• “I haven’t seen you in ___ days”

• “Well at least you’re not as bad as one of our previous directors, I didn’t see that person for 39 straight days one year.”

• “Thanks for stopping by”

Honestly, the people who have said these things don’t mean it in a mean or offensive way, but as someone who is constantly on reflection, it bothers me… a lot!

And now that?

Since this has been bothering me for quite some time, I have already started addressing the issue. Honestly, no one cares about the data I shared above. It doesn’t matter how big or small the building is, or how many tours or observations have been made, if I don’t feel visible, the staff surely feels the same way.

Here is my game plan:

• Be vulnerable and write this post!

• Use the SAMs program to the fullest. Stick to the schedule even if it says “check class changes” or “visit staff and students”

• Save email for later. Yes, I get 80-90 emails a day, but then again, who cares? Schedule uninterrupted time to complete email tasks when the building is less busy.

• Reduce meeting time by 20%. I have many meetings in my office that can last anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour. I need to expedite these meetings to allow more time away from my office.

• Try a “no office” day every month. This is something you could easily do with technology and wifi. My office can literally be anywhere for a day. There are 5 months left in the school year, so you should easily be able to get 5 “office days”.

• Continue with the comment cards. I started this on January 15th and have been able to pass out about 30 cards. It has forced me to respond to the staff about what I saw, what I’m wondering, and acknowledge the great work that is going on in your classrooms!

• Connect with staff and students beyond tours and observations. Ask questions, listen, be there!

• Be where the staff is (entering, exiting, common areas, etc.)

Staying vulnerable is a risk we have to take if we want to experience connection. Brene Brown

I am excited to address these issues and, more importantly, share them with you. What advice do you have? What are some struggles you would like to share? Be sure to comment so we can improve, together.