Personalities

Being a principal was sometimes challenging due to dealing with different personalities. Knowing how to address each personality was key to being successful. For a comprehensive look at the principalship and how to manage various personalities, I recommend reading Shifting the Monkey by Tod Whitaker. This was THE most helpful book I read during my time as a principal. It was also a light and humorous look at the various employee personalities encountered every day in our line of work.

The most irritating personality by far was the chronic complainer. This personality will make you want to stay away from them and shut the door if you are in the office. I remember nodding my head and continuing my work at times because the complaining was so frequent. I would listen, document, and then ask what they would like me to do about the issue, most of the time.

The opposite of the chronic complainer was the compliment craver. This personality would come to the office and tell everything they had done in excess as they fished for compliments. Yes, feedback is important, and praise is a good thing, however, bragging is different. I would validate their efforts as many times as they came to the office because I did appreciate that they were going the extra mile.

The tattling tipster was also a common personality type. This personality would come in regularly to spill the beans on what was going on with the staff. There were no secrets among the staff because everything said always circled back to the office. Someone always thought I should “know”. I would listen, observe, and determine my course. Most of the time, I just rolled my eyes to myself and went on with what I needed to do. Sometimes, I appreciated this personality, and at other times, I did not.

Of course, some were known for their backstabbing. I knew who I could trust. I knew when I needed to pull the knife out of my back, and was careful as to what I said or made sure there were others there as witnesses when I spoke.

Some personalities needed me to be blunt because they didn’t understand what I wanted, as I was saying things in a nice, roundabout way. I practiced tact every day. However, there were times when bluntness was necessary.

Some arrived late and snuck in the back door. They’d text their buddy and have them let them in because the doors were locked. I knew. I received a report from the superintendent’s office on the number of doors opened every month before, during, and after school. Not only were they late with arrival, but often late with other deadlines. It was just their personality.

Illness was another personality issue. Some teachers would come to school and tough their sickness out. (Stay home if you have a fever or a pink eye! I sent home staff members due to illness when they would not make that decision themselves.) Others would stay home for a hang nail, and yes, one time because their pet was not feeling well. (I know that pets are part of the family.) Then there was the personality that needed to be off the first six weeks of school every year for four years straight.

Some personalities were quiet and kept to themselves, focusing on their team and doing their job with a great deal of intrinsic motivation. They always tried to do the right thing, but would ask me for help if they needed it. This constituted the majority.

All of these personalities were accompanied by hard work. I never had a teacher who did not do their job. Some did not perform their job as well as others, but all met the basic requirements, and some exceeded expectations. For that, I am thankful. Caring for and loving their students was a crucial part of helping them learn. Dealing with personalities requires patience and careful observation. Sometimes, it takes time to figure out the personalities in your environment. Period.

Later…