A number of years ago an article in the American School Board Journal labeled the superintendency as “the toughest job in America” (Carr, 2003). Is that true? At times it can be and since the article changes in accountability, state and federal regulation, state funding, and the recognition of social and emotional issues (vaping, school violence, bullying…etc.) have made the position even more challenging. Why is the superintendency so tough, and what New Year’s resolutions can we put in place to make the job easier in 2020?
The job is tough, I believe, because it is highly political. Specifically, superintendents are required to manage multiple constituencies (parents, students, community, board, teachers, coaches, taxpayers…etc.) and these groups often don’t see eye to eye. In fact, at times, constituent desires are in direct competition with each other, or the realities of the district’s situation. As an example, a group may want the district to hire a gifted coordinator, but adding the position will mean that another area must be cut. Alternatively, a constituency may want to address a certain social issue through implementing a new curriculum, but the proposed curriculum is seen as violating another group’s views.
Superintendents must figure out how to navigate these situations, while continuing to move the district in a positive direction. Each of these scenarios are stressful and take an emotional toll. So let’s consider how we can mitigate the stress of the job, while employing some helpful techniques.
Below is a list of five things you can do in the New Year to either make the job more manageable, or mitigate the stress which accompanies the position.
-Ask for a written proposal: When someone (or some group) proposes an idea, or change, ask that they give it to you in writing. Doing so provides time for you to reflect on the issue before reacting.
-Establish a constituent analysis process: In Accelerated Wisdom: 50 Insights for Today’s Superintendent I speak to the Windowpane Model for Analyzing Constituent Perspectives, which is a reflection tool that enables superintendents (and their teams) to determine how various groups may react to a proposed idea or change. Use this tool as a starting point to analyze the issue and begin a discussion with your team related to what is being proposed.
-Maintain fidelity to your vision, mission and goals: Be sure you are using your vision, mission and the goals developed for the year as a filter through which ideas and changes are being considered. If the proposal does not fit this guidance it easier to say “no”.
-Timing and context: Remember that decisions are situational. In other words a decision’s sustainability is always a function of timing and context. As this is the case we can indicate that a decision will be considered, but at a different point in time when we believe it might have a greater chance for success. Doing so relieves us of the pressure to make a decision at that moment, but also indicates to the individual that it will be taken up at a different time.
-Reflection and centering: If you are to survive in the superintendency, addressing complex problems on a daily basis, you must spend time reflecting and figure out how to be centered in your role. Many set aside time in the morning, before work, to reflect upon the challenges they are facing and thinking through options, while filtering these thoughts through their philosophical lens. We need time to reflect on complex issues, but must also have a philosophical base which serves as an anchor to guide our decisions. Starting our day without reflection and centering leaves us untethered and open to the prevailing winds which we will face.
As we enter the New Year I hope that each of you will take some time to think through how you can make “one of the toughest jobs in America” more manageable. We must be centered and always on the lookout for tools and techniques to deal with the complexities of the position, competing constituencies, and a push to make quick decisions. I would enjoying reading any ideas you might have to enhance our effectiveness in 2020, and as always, we all benefit when we learn from the wisdom shared by others.