[Ous-lp-rp13] EDAD 6010, Response to Answer Question # 3

[Anthony Gillman]

*Brittany,As I read the first paragraph of your answer, I thought about how
much your style aligned with my introvert-extrovert style.  Like you, I’m
not usually comfortable initiating conversation with people I have not met,
but have less of a problem talking to them once that barrier is broken.  I
feel like the level of difficulty of ‘breaking the ice’ changes depending
on who has more power. The types of power that comes to mind for me would
be legitimate, referent, and expert.  I thought about being an
administrator and how we must understand our legitimate power and how it
might make it tough for a subordinate to approach us, which also could be
true for a community member as well. We must be the one to initiate the
conversations if they are not happening automatically.  I also think that
these conversations must happen often and with all subordinates. It will
just be part of out duties.We differ a bit when it comes to task-oriented
behaviors.  I will have to be very organized to make sure and get things
done in a timely manner.  I am picturing a task checklist on my computer,
phone, and anywhere else I can think of having one.  However, I do agree
with you that using our human-relations side first to approach a staff
member that is slow to perform.  However, we must also be ready to pull the
firm, but fair card ‘get the job done.’ I see me mixing in some clear
explanation and reasoning if this method has to be used.As for the
change-oriented behaviors, I think you hit the nail on the head when you
wrote about “clearly communicating your vision.”  The people on your team
must clearly know where you are going if they are going to effectively
contribute to your plan. Nice answers!Tony*


Brittany's Original Answer

Administrators face many barriers throughout their careers, however it
would seem the most barriers would be encountered during the first few
years of becoming an administrator. Just as the first few years of teaching
were met with new challenges, I believe the same concept can be applied to
administrators. Therefore, when I consider barriers I recognize that some
barriers will be easier to overcome than others. Personally,
relations-oriented behaviors will be a challenge only in the beginning. I
have recently realized through conversation in class, that even though I am
introverted I am also quite social. In that once I become conversant with
others, I become far less introverted. As an administrator this would
require me to carry out on-on-one conversations, prior to addressing the
entire staff in one large group. Once I overcome this barrier early on, it
will be a nonissue thereafter.

When considering task-oriented behavior I fully believe this will be the
most simple of the three barriers for me to overcome. Naturally, I am task
oriented. I find comfort in having specific tasks to accomplish each day,
and once those tasks are completed I feel a sense of relief and
accomplishment. This task oriented behavior will serve me well as an
administrator.  However, there are situations as an administrator where
this could become a barrier, not necessarily for me, but for the staff for
which I will be leading. If I were to delegate tasks to staff members, and
they did not complete the required task, this would become a barrier and
something I would need to address immediately. If I were to find myself in
a predicament such as this, I would most likely fall back on my
relationship-oriented behavior and attempt to appeal to their human side by
reasoning, and getting to the bottom of the issue.

Change-oriented behaviors are behaviors in which I am very familiar with. I
am a visionary, constantly conjuring ideas and thoughts that will improve
my classroom, my own practice, and even my building. I thrive in an
environment where I can share ideas with other like-minded people.
Unfortunately, not everyone enjoys change, and not everyone is going to be
on board with my vision. As an administrator the hardest barrier to
overcome would be implementing change that others will buy in to. Honing my
leadership skills, and clearly communicating my vision, will aid in
overcoming this particular barrier.


-- 
*Happiness is a proper balance of preparation and recreation.*
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