In these tense times with pending industrial action and increasing demands on educator’s time, schools are turning to their leaders for guidance.
However, this is a big ask as they too are feeling the pressure juggling and balancing the many facets of education.
In Dr Adam Fraser’s book “The Third Space” he discusses the concept of the transition “space” between one task and the next task and how we can utilise this time frame to “show up” with a predetermined intention. Basically, shaking off the previous space like a dog shaking off water ready for the next play activity.
Negative emotions from one space shouldn't be carried over to the next. It's like carrying baggage that weighs you down and affects your performance. Instead, it's essential to find ways to process and release those emotions before entering the next space.
This strategy is for anyone, but like most initiatives, it starts with leaders.
An element of the strategy is showing up.
A principal highlighted an example of zero transition where he arrived at school and was met by an irate parent complaining about a situation that required calming words. Needless to say, a fair amount of emotional energy was expelled. Immediately, after the tense interaction, he walked directly to the assembly to address the school community. I asked how he felt after the assembly. “It was a blur. I was still processing the parent interaction and don’t believe I was fully engaged.”
What was the impact on the audience? What did they see and hear? The walk to the assembly is where the principal could have used the time to separate the parent tension from the assembly celebration by asking the question, “How will I show up at the assembly?”
This severs the previous interaction and sets up the next.
The answers can be:
“It is a joyous occasion and I want to lead with joy.”
“Now I can do something I love.”
“This is where I can have a positive impact on people I care for.”
Dr Adam Fraser suggests these five thought processes:
Make a concerted effort to observe your behaviour.
Examine how your behaviour impacts others.
Allow honest feedback.
Park your ego and take the feedback on board.
Collect formal feedback from those around you.
To keep positive attitudes buoyant during chaotic times, requires a fresh space to show up in with a default intention to be open, curious and positive. The previous space should not impact on the current space.
Do you conscientiously recalibrate your behaviour from one space to the next?
Do you take your negative emotions from one space to the next?
Do you start the next interaction based on the previous interaction or your positive intention?
How do you show up?