VUCA

In my previous school we did a lot of work around these ideas of volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity and I thought I had experience leading in these situations. As a teacher, or even middle leader, it is easy to get caught in the narrow focus of these within the context of your next lesson, current unit or any other aspect of your day-to-day professional life that might begin to slip out of your control. It wasn’t until yesterday when I had a good insight and introduction into what leadership in these situations actually looks like.

I thought I did, I thought I had a handle on what was necessary. I realize I was naive, or maybe arrogant, that distinction is best left to others I suppose. Being faced with the numerous pieces that come with an unexpected event that has a direct, immediate and tangible impact on the majority of the community is intense. I am immensely grateful to have colleagues mentoring me through this process who see the pieces I don’t see. I have to do my best to check my ego, realize I can only do as much as I know (and right now that is very little) and help where and how I can.

The next few days will be challenging, the next few weeks and months will be more so, but the impression I have of the school and community so far has shown me nothing but resiliency and adaptability and I am excited to be able to work with this group of folks as we all get to solve some major problems together.

Note – we(family and school) are all safe and nobody was ever in any physical danger.