Acknowledge Differences, Access Strengths

What I learned in school today: Recognize different perceptions and access the strengths.

A common refrain used by our guidance counselors with our K-2 students centers on the idea of the size of the problem. Younger students can struggle identifying whether something is a “big deal” or a “little deal” and thus their responses to the problem can be disproportional to the situation.

Not everyone sees every situation the same. The same event can be insignificant to one person and monumental to another. A new idea, initiative, or innovation can be simple for one teacher and seem virtually impossible to another. As a leader, I strive to recognize that my strengths may be others’ weaknesses and my weakness may be others’ strengths.

In order to build an innovative culture, schools need empathy in two major ways:

1. Recognize the differences in the way people perceive things. We can’t assume that everyone will understand or agree with every new idea.

2. Acknowledge different strengths and access the strengths! Instead of focusing on our weaknesses and how they hold us back, let’s tap into our strengths and make sure we are getting as much as possible out of those areas. We can work together in doing what we individually do best.