I read an article recently through Smart Brief on Leadership titled Leadership Fatigue is a Thing – Make Time to Recharge, by Art Petty. The article presents seven strategies to help fight leadership fatigue. This article is of particular interest for me at the moment as I have been spending time reflecting on my current role and position, setting goals moving forward, and trying to brainstorm how I can best serve and support our learning community here at Seoul Foreign School. 

Here are some quotes from the article and my personal reflections.

“There are many thankless tasks and days, yet leaders play a role in shaping careers and lives through their coaching and guidance.” Intentional coaching and providing constructive feedback is a great way to build relationships and partnerships with those which we work. I wonder in my current role, how I can do a better job of working with others in helping all of us to provide a better academic, social, and emotional environment for all students? How can I have a bigger impact on shaping professional careers? I am currently reading The Essential Guide for Student-Centered Coaching, by Diane Sweeney and Leanna Harris, and it is providing insights on being a better and more effective leader throughout the coaching process. I hope to be able to use the new knowledge to help lead coaching and feedback initiatives at my school.

“Treat the workplace as a living laboratory and start experimenting.” I do believe that schools should be a place of experimenting and taking chances. Educators should be able to make mistakes and learn from those mistakes … exactly what we encourage from our students every day. Unfortunately, I believe many educators, including myself, fear making mistakes as we are in a profession where “perfection” and “knowing everything” can take over and be infused in our planning, organizing, teaching, and learning. This is why it is often difficult to have a colleague or a supervisor observe our classes and provide feedback. So, how can we provide an environment where failure is okay and growth is the goal?

“As you approach a meeting, hallway or video conversation, remind yourself your goal is to leave the situation better than you found it.” I remember hearing from a friend once, when I asked for some advice, to be 1% better today than yesterday. This seems much more manageable than trying to accomplish all of my goals tomorrow at a moments notice. For example, when I get into that goal setting mode I try to do everything starting Monday morning (exercise every morning, practice that new language for 30 minutes daily, floss morning and night, take 15 minutes a day for mindfulness, etc.). Rather, focus on one thing and take small steps. Be 1% better today than yesterday!

“Succeeding at each encounter doesn’t mean you have to have all the answers. Rather, your goal is to do those things you can control, including listening fiercely, empathizing, displaying curiosity, prompting ideas or connecting others with potentially helpful resources.” This to me is one of, if not, the most important aspect for any leader in any industry. How can we listen more than we talk? How can we make sure that we allow others to speak first and then use the words and ideas from others to formulate plans and initiatives? Is not our role as leaders to hear ideas from the organization, facilitate meaningful and inclusive discussions, and then support with putting all of the ideas together for meaningful change and growth?

“When I make excuses and skip the physical work, I lose energy, creativity – and, I grow decidedly grumpy.” Exercise and sweat can make us more productive, happier, and involved leaders and individuals. I try to remind myself of this everyday…and often do…especially during those months that go by when I am not exercising and doing the physical work.

“Consider reinventing what you do in your current organization.” Job descriptions can be limiting and place people into very specific boxes. If this is something you struggle with, my challenge then for leaders is to find those things outside of your job description that give you energy and fuel your passions. Some of the things that I look at professionally, that are outside of my job description when reinventing what I do, involve supporting aspiring leaders, promoting DEIJ discussions, leading initiatives for child protection, and serving as a WASC visiting committee member.

“It’s incredible how pursuing something new — a new language, a craft or a hobby that takes you entirely out of your working life — helps you cope with those vexing daily circumstances.” What are the things, outside of your professional career, that you do to get away and find some balance or wellness? For me it’s sports (soccer, golf, hockey, and basketball) and art (mostly pottery). Doing these activities helps me to step away from the hustle and bustle professionally and to find perspective and balance.