Chatting with an attorney colleague today, I was reminded of the importance of “clarity” personally and professionally. We were reviewing some draft paperwork for my LLC and discussed how a lack of clarity often derails good business. I thought of Assistant Principals and envisioned how much their impact relies upon clarity, as well.
Consider how clarity can be an Assistant Principal’s friend — Clarity in:
Priorities
Intentions
Follow-through
Self-disclosure
Approach
Clarity in priorities, as I share in All Other Duties As Assigned: The Assistant Principal’s Critical Role in Supporting Schools Inside and Out, means knowing what’s urgent, what’s important, what’s urgent and important, and what’s neither. “Quick and careful designation of everything in your in-box as one of these four is a helpful tool in time management and allocation of your own personal resources in problem solving” (p. 33). This works even better if your Administrative Assistant helps sort ‘em out. Clarity in priorities involves sharing how you make these distinctions—when and what you spend time on each day—so that you are a known commodity. Folks will appreciate it.
Clarity in intentions means letting others know what’s on your mind when approaching them, requesting something, and/or in asking questions, as an Assistant Principal’s role is often investigatory and has influence. Clarity here involves frontloading why you are asking about something or are interested, such as “I am trying to gather some ideas for a new student commons area, will you stop by the office later today for a chat?” as opposed to, “Will you stop by the office later today for a chat?” and leaving it the latter. Clarity here [for comfort] is needed by adults in our schools, as well as students.
Clarity in follow-through means letting persons know what you plan to do next, rather than leaving them guessing. If you plan to take a few days before making a decision, mention it. If you plan to take steps in corrective action, share [if prudent to do so]. If you really don’t know what you are going to do next, say “I’m not sure.” Clarity in follow-through gives folks an assurance the situation is in your genuine and capable hands, and they can move on. Clarity here involves acting definitively, not waffling.
Clarity in self-disclosure means having healthy vulnerability—not being afraid to let others know you’re human, apprehensive at times, or need help. Key in self-disclosure is to know where you are centered—this helps compartmentalize bias, control emotion, and navigate smartly. Clarity in self-disclosure means sharing how you are handling professional things personally. It puts others at ease by modeling openness.
Finally, clarity in approach means establishing [in word and deed] a professional identity others can count on—a known commodity. Recently, I was in a school observing a literature teacher facilitate a class discussion on auteurism, derived from the work of Francois Roland Truffaut, noted French film director. An auteur is an artist with such distinct approach, their style is often a metaphorical signature on their work. American film director Steven Spielberg comes to mind. Do you have a signature in your Assistant Principaling? Is there theme to your palette? If it helps you explore, Solution Tree Press offers a no-charge reproducible—my “Tool to Develop a Framework for Decision Making,” at https://www.solutiontree.com/free-resources/leadership/aodaa.
I’m glad for a timely business conversation inspiring clarity’s friendship for all of us. Let me know what’s clear and what’s not, ok?