Managing Expectations - Professional Guidance
- Published: 03 October 2019
As school leaders many of us believe that we are there to solve every problem brought to us and if we don’t we have failed, bringing with it feelings of guilt and inadequacy. Often when someone comes to us with a problem, certain expectations come into play. The other person can believe or expect that having come to you with their problem, they hand it over and now their problem becomes yours to solve. In addition, if you believe that you are there to solve all problems, then the burden quickly becomes yours.
This is where the expectations of others, but more importantly the expectations of self, have to be carefully managed. Managing self is deemed to be one of the greatest challenges facing school leaders today, but both sets of expectations need consideration. Over the course of the next number of weeks in e-scéal, focus will be directed towards providing strategies to help manage both.
What would you do with the following scenario?
Does it sound familiar?
A staff member comes to you at 2.30 on Friday afternoon with a complaint about another staff member, demanding to know what you are going to do about it. You spend the weekend worrying about the situation and how you will sort it out. Sunday afternoon finds you dreading the following day as you know it will be difficult.
Where do rights vs responsibilities fit into this scenario?
What part does communication play in it?
How will you manage yourself?
Note: Should you find yourself facing a difficult situation or need to have a challenging conversation, the IPPN Professional Guidance Panel are there to guide and support you. Contact the Support Office on 0214824070 or email advice@ippn.ie.
