Amazingly, it has been almost a year since the election of Donald Trump to the Presidency. As we have observed through the first 19 "traps", his leadership style has led him to plunge a relatively stable (although far from perfect) system into unproductive chaos, and damage the country's reputation in the global community. His personality and communication preferences have resulted in a wide-range of self-inflicted wounds and his lack of evident work ethic and rigour have set new performance lows for the office.
If he was a school leader, she or he would be well past the point of no return. The question would not be if they would be fired, but when. Having said that, I have seen many Heads and Directors on the ropes who have not yet seen the writing on the wall, and so continually point the finger, blame others or, and this is my personal favourite, claim that they know absolutely nothing about people who are working for them and what they are doing!
Donald Trump is the master of denying knowing people whom he has closely worked with. How can he be accountable for their misdeeds? He doesn't even know who they are! "George 'what's his name' colluded with the Russians? Never heard of him!" "What? We have troops in Niger? I'm only the Commander in Chief, the generals are in charge of that stuff."
School leaders have been known to try the same tactic with as little success. The underperforming teacher? "First that I have heard of it! Sounds like the Director of Academics isn't doing his job!" Over budget? "I'd know nothing about that! You'd have to check with the CFO and the Finance Committee, guess they aren't doing their oversight effectively." The school's reputation is tanking? "The school is better than ever! Must be the Communications department that is letting us down."
At the end of the day, no matter how many buses you have in your fleet to throw people under, it all comes down to the leader. You are ultimately responsible for what happens on your campus (and school bus, and sporting event, and school dance, etc.). An upset parent, disgruntled staff member, or irate Board Trustee has no interest in hearing your deflections. They don't care whose job it was in the first place, they want action from you. For an experienced school administrator, "I didn't know!" or "It's not my fault!" are not just unacceptable excuses, they are an admission of neglect, disinterest, or complete incompetence.
While most Heads won't have their records taken in front of a Grand Jury, they can easily be convicted in the court of public opinion. No matter how many times you deflect and sacrifice your team for your own survival, you are only delaying the inevitable. Ultimately it is the Head of School (or the President) who is responsible for what happens on their watch. As as everyone knows, when you are sinking in quicksand, you can only stand on other people's shoulders for so long.
Once you have pushed them under the surface, there is nowhere for you to go but down.
If he was a school leader, she or he would be well past the point of no return. The question would not be if they would be fired, but when. Having said that, I have seen many Heads and Directors on the ropes who have not yet seen the writing on the wall, and so continually point the finger, blame others or, and this is my personal favourite, claim that they know absolutely nothing about people who are working for them and what they are doing!
Donald Trump is the master of denying knowing people whom he has closely worked with. How can he be accountable for their misdeeds? He doesn't even know who they are! "George 'what's his name' colluded with the Russians? Never heard of him!" "What? We have troops in Niger? I'm only the Commander in Chief, the generals are in charge of that stuff."
School leaders have been known to try the same tactic with as little success. The underperforming teacher? "First that I have heard of it! Sounds like the Director of Academics isn't doing his job!" Over budget? "I'd know nothing about that! You'd have to check with the CFO and the Finance Committee, guess they aren't doing their oversight effectively." The school's reputation is tanking? "The school is better than ever! Must be the Communications department that is letting us down."
At the end of the day, no matter how many buses you have in your fleet to throw people under, it all comes down to the leader. You are ultimately responsible for what happens on your campus (and school bus, and sporting event, and school dance, etc.). An upset parent, disgruntled staff member, or irate Board Trustee has no interest in hearing your deflections. They don't care whose job it was in the first place, they want action from you. For an experienced school administrator, "I didn't know!" or "It's not my fault!" are not just unacceptable excuses, they are an admission of neglect, disinterest, or complete incompetence.
While most Heads won't have their records taken in front of a Grand Jury, they can easily be convicted in the court of public opinion. No matter how many times you deflect and sacrifice your team for your own survival, you are only delaying the inevitable. Ultimately it is the Head of School (or the President) who is responsible for what happens on their watch. As as everyone knows, when you are sinking in quicksand, you can only stand on other people's shoulders for so long.
Once you have pushed them under the surface, there is nowhere for you to go but down.
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