Timeout for Leadership-your one-minute leadership idea

Tip Sheet #29

Avoiding the sin of cynicism

Last week I shared with you the content of two signs I always kept displayed in my office.  Namely:  The fault finder will find faults even in paradise and my poster of the cows eating each other’s grass (the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence).  I hope after reading last week’s blog, you entered into some self-reflection.  Today, I will share with you the last sign that was displayed.  The sign asked you to “Avoid the sin of cynicism”.

The three signs all have a very common theme.  Taken as a group they speak about your state of mind.  They speak about something that you can control.  I wanted everyone that entered my office to read these signs and think about them.  I am embarrassed to reveal that I had only one small picture cube of family pictures on my desk.  I would have been much happier if you processed the message on my signs rather than look at a picture of my wife and children.

The cynic is the eternal pessimist.  The cynic revels in saying no.  The cynic always sees things and decides very quickly why something cannot be done.  The cynic and the fault finder are like kissing cousins.  They love one another and will always find each other in an organization.  They will also reach out and grab anyone that may seem vulnerable.  You see, cynics and fault finders love company.  They love being miserable.  And both cynics and fault finders will sap your school or organization of any positive energy that is generated.  They are a menace to your culture.  As the principal or leader, you must be aware of them and you must diligently work to try to get them to see things a bit differently.  Although this may be hard, it can be done.  I have done it.

There are probably few things more rewarding for you as the leader to see when you are able to change that cynic.  But understand this well, for those that cannot change, you must be prepared to leave them at the starting gate or eliminate them from your organization.

Your school or organizational culture will drive the success of your organization. Never minimize the importance of culture.  For those new or aspiring principals that read this blog, please take time to nurture your culture.  I wish I had a “Mulligan” on this one.  I never truly realized the importance of this.  If I had only known….