"New Beginnings"

Transition inherently presents challenges, not to mention degrees of uncertainty, anxiety, and confusion.  However, transition also creates tremendous opportunity.  These opportunities are absolutely necessary for the health, growth, and improvement of self, let alone the organization.

I am extremely privileged to be in the position of transitioning – again.  I have learned through the many transitions in my career that “questions are my friends.”  That it really is the questions we ask – not the answers we give that assist in learning, a central theme of transitioning.  Through asking questions I am provided a platform to listen and learn from others, about others, what they value, what they deem is important, what is working and what isn’t, as well as understanding the motivation, passion, commitment, conviction, desires, and aspirations of staff that have been in the “work” in the organization I have just joined.

Asking questions is also fundamental to what Covey so many years ago offered to leaders – “seeking to understand before being understood.”  Each of us has encountered the individual who violated the aforementioned.  They just couldn’t help themselves.   They needed to talk about what they’ve done or what they know rather than listening to others.  Candidly, I know I have done this very thing knowing I shouldn’t.  Call it nerves, call it insecurity, or call it a desire to whatever – it more often than not inhibits building trust in relationships – critical to leadership effect.

Transition, in addition to compelling us to seek to understand through questioning, requires us to observe others – their interactions, conversation, communication, and work product. This observation is not for the purpose of making judgments or second-guessing decisions, actions, or progress. Rather, its purpose is to create understanding.  It allows me to make connections between the people, the “work,” the results, skills, knowledge, and experience. Finally, transition brings us to an evaluation of how these connections will allow me to add value to the work of both the individual and the organization.

As I continue with my transition, I know that staff are equally curious to understand or learn about me – what I know or can do, why I am here, and how I communicate, listen, speak, write, and interact with others, to name just a few things.  Without question transition takes time, involves risk, transparency, and trust for all.

The process of transition, as mentioned, creates challenges for everyone.  These challenges, however, are natural and necessary.  Understanding that transition has requirements for everyone is essential in order to be successful.

My best hopes are that the transition – this present transition – will continue to flow naturally, achieving increased awareness and understanding of how “we” can, together, ensure that each student is successful as a result of the choices, decisions, and actions that we the adults make.