School district leaders are likely facing the toughest time in their careers at this moment. Whether it be handling political division on a variety of current topics, attempting to keep the district afloat due to staffing shortages, or exhaustion from two years of dealing with COVID – it is taking a heavy toll.
The question on my mind is how leaders survive right now. What can be done to achieve the resilience to move forward? How can leaders keep from becoming overwhelmed and ultimately burning out? We all have a breaking point; what can we do to keep from going over the edge?
Clearly the answer is different for every individual. Some of us obsess over issues and others are better at creating separation. Although I don’t have a formula to offer which will enable leaders to survive, I do have some thoughts based upon experience, observation, and study.
To survive, leaders must be purposeful in creating times when they get away from the pressures of work and the tyranny of the urgent to rejuvenate themselves and refocus. Running a school district will consume 24 hours of your day if you let it. You want to be responsive, but there must be a limit. Here are some self-care tips and ideas which might assist you in surviving challenging times.
Phone, Email & Text – Don’t answer your phone or look at your email or texts after a certain time at night. If you respond to phone calls, email, or text until bedtime your brain will be in overdrive, and it is sure to disrupt your sleep. Not a good idea if you desire to remain resilient.
Establish with key staff members and your board president a procedure for contacting you in case of an emergency. If something truly demands your attention you will then know that the phone call or message requires a response.
Connect with a Neighboring Superintendent – You have a lot on your plate, and it is cathartic to talk to someone who understands. Although your spouse, your family and your friends can help you work through issues and serve as a sounding board, the fact remains that they don’t walk in your shoes.
The superintendency is unique, and it takes someone in your role to truly understand the issues you face and provide thoughts, ideas, and support. My recommendation is to set a standing monthly lunch with a neighboring superintendent. I believe if you do you will find that it truly makes a difference in your life.
Visual Reminders – I have shared before that I had two self-portraits painted by 3rd grade students which hung directly opposite my desk. Any time I would look up, or leave my office, I was reminded of why I do what I do. To survive tough times, we need to remember our mission; to be reminded of why we do this noble work. Refocusing on our purpose steels our resolve and helps us to survive the onslaught of challenges we face daily.
I purposefully did not get into the conventional items we all read about regarding leadership survival such as exercising, eating right, or having a hobby. I believe there are volumes of information out there already which most have read. My goal today was to simply provide a few thoughts which directly address school district leadership.
I hope you can apply one, or more of these ideas to your life and that they will help you survive your current situation. Please take the time to provide in the comments section below ideas or thoughts which either you have used or have seen used which can help others survive in tough times. Remember, we all gain wisdom when we share and learn from each other.