Connecting

After so long in the same school I think I took for granted the connections I had made with colleagues. I know I definitely underestimated the time and effort necessary to re-establish those easy and comfortable connections that come with time. I don’t think I have that luxury of time in my new roles, or at least I am going to have to change some of my own personal habits around building connections that might allow them to form more easily. This isn’t easy for me, my clear understanding of how I work well, how I build relationships and how I can be effective is coming into conflict with my growing understanding that none of that really matters if I want to be the type of leader I think I might be able to be. I know it means I can’t wait for connections to form naturally or organically and have to proactively seek them out.

I was able to start this process today, choosing to seek connections and conversations I wouldn’t have previously. Choosing to sit at a busy table during lunch, asking questions, laughing, talking about education and sharing challenges was a great reminder of what I need to do and how it will help.

I’m tired, it is a different type of energy and I need to build that endurance, but as I look forward my anxiety around all the recent change is quickly turning into excitement and that is a relief.