Being a Smart Ass Isn't Leadership

Recently, I observed a Principal who was sitting with some teachers during a staff development session. A nice guy with a quick wit.  For each point made by the trainer, he had the funny, sarcastic example that belittled the point.  When doing a group exercise, he focused of the attributes of two of the teachers at his table.  Making fun of both, one in a positive way, the other in a negative way.

He evidently missed E. Don Brown's first lesson of the Principalship, "The Principal doesn’t get to have a sense of humor... the stakes are too high." 

Our comedian (and he was funny) diminished the importance of the training session and put a staff member in the position of have to laugh at her own unflattering characterization.

Oh, and his campus is losing ground to his peer campuses.

Who’s laughing now?

Think. Work. Achieve.

Your turn...

• Call Jo at (832) 477-LEAD to order your campus set of “The Fundamental 5: The Formula for Quality Instruction.” Individual copies available on Amazon.com!  http://tinyurl.com/Fundamental5 
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