I had a busy weekend of attending my daughter’s hockey tryouts. In these tryouts, there were ice sessions, off ice sessions, and a session on mental health that was put on by a sports psychologist, named Dr. Matt Brown. They wanted parents to attend, and honestly, I thought it was going to be another respect in sport session on how we are too hard on our kids and they all just need to have fun. I went anyways and was instantly in awe of what Dr. Brown had to say. He started the session with three pictures of scales and talked about the importance of balancing them one by one. After the session, I went home and wrote this blog post because it resonated so deeply with me and I instantly related it to my life as a principal. I had to write it right away because I didn’t want to lose what I had just learned, and I really wanted to share it with this community. Here is what I learned:
In the whirlwind of school leadership, it’s easy to find yourself caught in the relentless pursuit of perfection, shouldering the weight of expectations, and, frankly, feeling a bit lost in the process. But what if I told you that the secret to not just surviving, but thriving in your role lies in mastering the art of balance? I used to think there was no such thing as balance but when you put it in a mental image of a scale, it really does make sense to me. Inspired by the profound insights of sports psychologist Matt Brown, let me take you on a transformative journey that redefines what it means to lead with purpose, passion, and a healthy dose of perspective.
Finding Your Balance: Pressure vs. Confidence
Imagine a scale. On one side, we have Pressure – the deadlines, the expectations, and the myriad responsibilities that come with leading an educational institution. On the other side, there’s Confidence – a belief in our abilities, our preparation, and our capacity to make a difference.
Matt Brown’s research emphasizes the necessity of this balance. Too much pressure without confidence leads to burnout, while too much confidence without acknowledging the pressure leads to complacency. Your first task is to recognize where you are on this scale. Acknowledge the pressure, yes, but meet it with the confidence that comes from your experience, your preparation, and your successes. Remember, it’s not about having to make everything perfect; it’s about knowing, “You’ve got this. You’re prepared for this.”
Picture this: The annual ed review is looming on the horizon, the pressure is palpable, and you’re in the eye of the storm. It’s a familiar scene for many principals. But here’s the twist—instead of bowing under the pressure, you lean into your reservoir of confidence. Remember the late-night strategy sessions, the breakthroughs, the small wins along the way? Those weren’t flukes; they were proof of your capability. Matt Brown emphasizes that acknowledging the weight of our responsibilities while simultaneously tapping into our past achievements creates a powerful equilibrium. It’s about whispering to ourselves, “I’ve sailed through storms before; this is just another wave.”
- Pressure Side: Recognize the stress and acknowledge the workload.
- Confidence Side: Remind yourself of past challenges you’ve overcome, such as successful program implementations or improved student outcomes. Draw confidence from your track record.
- Matt Brown’s Insight: His research indicates that acknowledging pressure while leveraging past successes builds resilience. It’s about telling yourself, “I’ve navigated tough situations before, I can do this again.”
The Power of Positive Self-Talk
Our next scale involves Positive and Negative self-talk. So, think one side of the scale says positive and the other side says negative. The dialogue we have with ourselves shapes our reality. While it’s crucial to be realistic and acknowledge areas for growth (the Negative), it’s equally important to celebrate successes and maintain a positive outlook (the Positive).
Balancing this scale means shifting from a mindset of self-doubt to one of self-encouragement. Instead of thinking, “I have to make this happen or else,” transform that thought into, “I’ve got this. I’ve prepared for this.” Small steps of positive self-affirmation can lead to significant changes in our overall mindset.
Nurturing Positive Self-talk
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room—negative self-talk. We’ve all been there, wondering, “What if I fail?” But what if we flipped the script? Imagine you’re rolling out a new curriculum that’s stirring up some skepticism. Instead of getting tangled in a web of what-ifs, pivot to, “This is our chance to innovate. We’ve got this.” Brown’s work sheds light on the transformative power of positive self-talk. It’s not about ignoring the negatives but about balancing them with positive affirmations, turning potential stumbling blocks into stepping stones.
- Negative Side: You might think, “What if this fails? Will I lose my credibility?”
- Positive Side: Shift to, “This is an opportunity to innovate and learn. We’ve adapted and thrived before.”
- Matt Brown’s Insight: According to Brown, balanced self-talk, which includes constructive feedback and positive affirmation, enhances problem-solving and adaptability. It’s crucial to reframe challenges as opportunities.
Embracing the ‘We’ in Leadership
On one side of our next scale, we have Me; on the other, We. Leadership, especially in education, is not a solo journey. It requires collaboration, trust, and shared responsibility. The weight of decision-making, ideation, and workload should be balanced between you and your team.
Finding your community within your school allows for a more dynamic, supportive, and effective leadership approach. Remember, shifting from proving to improving yourself involves leveraging the collective strength and wisdom of your team.
Leadership is not a solo sport. Consider the challenge of tackling bullying within your school. While the instinct might be to shoulder the responsibility alone, the magic happens when we embrace the collective strength of our community. Form a task force, invite dialogue, co-create solutions, and get some experts in. Brown’s studies highlight the remarkable outcomes when we shift from a “me” to a “we” mindset. It’s a testament to the idea that shared burdens are halved burdens, and shared successes are doubled joys.
- Me Side: Feeling the need to come up with all the answers yourself.
- We Side: Forming a task force with teachers, parents, and students to co-create solutions.
- Matt Brown’s Insight: Brown’s research highlights the power of collective efficacy. Engaging the community not only distributes the workload but also enriches the outcome with diverse perspectives, fostering a stronger, more united school culture.
Small Steps vs. The Long Game in Principalship and Life
Let’s talk about Small Steps and The Long Game. In the realm of school leadership, a small step might be implementing a weekly check-in with your staff to foster open communication. The long game? Cultivating a culture of trust and collaboration that leads to sustained school improvement.
In life, a small step could be dedicating 15 minutes a day to a hobby or exercise, contributing to your well-being. The long game? Achieving a balanced life where work and personal joy coexist harmoniously.
In the domain of leadership, as in life, it’s the journey, not just the destination, that counts. Initiating a tech integration in one subject area might seem like a modest start, but it’s a pivotal first step toward revolutionizing your school’s learning environment. Similarly, dedicating a few minutes daily to exercise can cascade into a life more richly lived. Brown advocates for celebrating these small victories, emphasizing that they are the building blocks of monumental achievements. It’s about setting the pace for a marathon, not a sprint.
- Small Step: Starting with one grade level or subject area as a pilot program.
- Long Game: A fully integrated curriculum across all grades, enhancing learning experiences school-wide.
- Example for Life: Personal health and wellness.
- Small Step: Incorporating a 10-minute morning walk into your routine.
- Long Game: Achieving a balanced lifestyle that consistently supports your mental and physical health.
- Matt Brown’s Insight: Brown emphasizes the importance of celebrating small victories on the way to larger goals. This approach keeps motivation high and provides a roadmap for sustained progress.
Prove vs. Improve – Setting the Stage for Fun and Success
Our final scale contrasts the need to Prove with the desire to Improve. Transforming the pressure to prove into a journey of continuous improvement shifts our focus from external validation to personal growth and fulfillment. You know that good old saying, “Prove yourself?” Try adding two more letters to that and said, “IMprove yourself.”
Recall moments when learning and leadership were fun for you. Those were likely times when your confidence was high, your energy vibrant, and your focus clear. These are the moments we aim to increase. It’s not about being less serious but about finding joy and engagement in our work and lives.
Example: Responding to lower-than-expected test scores.Finally, let’s address the drive to prove ourselves, often at the expense of our growth and happiness. Reacting to setbacks with quick fixes might offer temporary relief, but it’s the commitment to continuous improvement that truly transforms. Brown’s advice? Shift the focus from proving to improving. It fosters an environment where learning from failures isn’t just accepted; it’s encouraged. And in this space, joy and innovation flourish.
- Prove Side: Rushing to implement quick fixes to boost scores, focusing on external judgments.
- Improve Side: Taking a holistic view to identify underlying issues, involving teachers in reflective practices, and focusing on long-term educational excellence rather than immediate results.
- Matt Brown’s Insight: Brown argues that a mindset focused on improvement rather than proving worth leads to more innovative solutions and a healthier, more enjoyable work environment. This approach fosters a culture of continuous learning and development, which is essential for personal and organizational success.
Leadership, like any worthwhile endeavor, is a slog. It requires dedication, persistence, and a commitment to never stop learning and growing. Remember, making it to the Olympics is a dream many athletes share, but the journey – the tryouts, the training, the sacrifices – is where the true transformation occurs. Once they reach the Olympics, they’ve already become Olympians at heart.
As school principals, you are the Olympians of education. The journey – with its challenges, its learning curves, and its victories – shapes you into the leaders you are meant to be. Leading a school is undeniably demanding, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. By balancing the scales of pressure and confidence, engaging in positive self-talk, leveraging the power of our community, appreciating the journey, and focusing on growth, we can navigate the complexities of educational leadership with grace and vitality. Let Matt Brown’s insights guide you. Remember, the goal isn’t just to lead effectively but to live fully. So, take a breath, find your balance, and let’s make this journey together. After all, the best leaders are those who lead not just with their minds but with their hearts.
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Brown, M. (2024, April 20). [Mental Health In Sports] [Speech]. The Edge Academy Tryouts, Calgary, Alberta.
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