Chasing the Proverbial Carrot: The Journey into Educational Leadership
Navigating the Gap Between Dreams and Reality in Your Leadership Journey
Expectation Vs. Reality
When I began this journey into leadership, my expectations were that I would go on a few interviews, get selected, and land a job. Like anything in life, my expectations did not match my reality. I say this not because I am a scorned teacher in education, but to help those who are playing their own version of pin the tail on the donkey in educational leadership.
Expectation vs. reality is always the monster lurking in our lives and we never see it appear until reality hits us smack dab between the eyeballs. Motherhood, for me, was very similar to this. I had these expectations of what motherhood would look like: leisurely walks in the park, dressing my child up to match the ambiance, cute cuddles all day long. However, after I became a mother, I began to realize that the reality of it is explosive diarrhea up the back of your child in the Target parking lot, after being with no spare diaper in sight.
Of course there were, and are, the moments where my children make me laugh so hard my sides hurt and the continuous ways in which they inspire me to be better and do better. I was once given advice by a business administrator who said, " just enjoy the journey, whatever that looks like." As I think about my experience in educational leadership, those words resonate with me the most.
Experience and "The Right Fit"
For those who are interested in educational leadership, I would like to give a few pieces of advice and encouragement.
- It is not about you, it is about them. After each interview I went on, I was reeling for a week straight meticulously going over what I said in the interview. I would replay it in my mind and think about the missteps or the successes and the end result was always the same. I didn't get the job, I thought I did well, and my self confidence began to dwindle. I quickly learned that it isn't really about me, it is about what type of leadership the district is looking for. Sure, I could have spoken on certain topics with more knowledge or depth, but really, a lot of it dealt with the district's idea of leadership and winning over the current leadership. After all, they will have to work with this person and rely on them. So, it is understandable that they want to make sure it is "the right fit."
- Don't let the voice in your head be louder than your drive to succeed. Failure has always been tough for me. I played sports for my entire life where the sole purpose is to win. I have experienced defeat in games before, but it hits harder when there are lives depending on your success. It would have been easy to give up. It would have been more comfortable to give up. But I can't and you shouldn't either.
- Connect and communicate with people who are currently in leadership or are thinking about it. Perspective is such a valuable tool no matter where you are in your journey of life. Use that perspective to glean new understandings, create new avenues of thinking, and to celebrate or commiserate with others who get it.
The "So What Now?"
I always joke around with my students about the instant gratification society that they live in. They want answers yesterday to questions they have asked in the current moment. I always compare this to working out. You can't expect to have a full set of abs after one workout in the gym. It takes time, dedication, and the daily commitment to want to work out.
Finding a leadership position has been the same experience for me. It is a daily commitment to scour the internet, to apply, to wait, to prepare for an interview, to complete the interview, and to get back to it when it doesn't go as planned. It's a daily choice similar to making an effort at the gym. You may not see the results in the first week of working out or even in the first month. But if you are consistent, if you are dedicated, if you are tenacious, then the results will come.
My hope is that you and I can share in our successes together in the near future. I wont give up if you don't!
