G-Town Talks

It’s nearing the end of a long day in the midst of a longer week. Thank goodness my mother in law is preparing dinner for us at 7:00. I can look forward to a nice meal with my family. I have no explanation for those weeks when we walk around saying, “when it rains, it pours” or for the repeat lyrics in my head of, “Mama said there’d be days like this. . . ” I’m pretty sure much of it has to do with the pressure of the end of the year coming and graduation and grade advancement.

I’m sure every administrator has experienced the days when your spouse looks at you and says “how was your day?” and you can’t even remember/articulate everything that happened. It’s literally going from one phone call to another impromptu meeting to yet one more kid melting down.

If there’s one thing I know for sure, it’s that every person who comes to see me or calls deserves a “refreshed screen” without me dumping whatever just walked out of my door onto them. I like to think I managed that well today but can also say how much I appreciate those people like Sue R., my secretary, who can see through it and give me some support. On this Administrative Professionals’ Day, I appreciate a gazillion things about our office staff, but nothing more than when I can close the door and say to Sue, Lori, or Carol, “HOLY CATS, what was that?!”

Once again today, I realize that remaining calm, despite how upset the parent or student may be, is the only way for me to effectively listen to the problem and then attempt to solve it. And when we consider that 98% of the time parents only become upset because they are advocating for their children, the people most important in the world to them, it makes it a whole lot easier to be quiet, to listen, to respond effectively. To understand. That’s when we need to remember, this isn’t about me and my response to your behavior, it’s about truly listening and solving the problem.  

He who yells loudest doesn’t win.