From Idioms to Education

Idiom #6

 “To let someone off the hook”

When we “let someone off the hook” we allow them to escape all accountability.  At the time, we may think we are doing that person a favor, but most times this favor turns out to be deleterious to his /her performance.  We all make mistakes.  That is a given.  We all need to forgive and to be forgiven.  This too is a given.  Most times, that is how we grow. Letting someone off the hook is not about mistakes.  It is about letting that person not accept responsibility.  We regularly do in the world of education and then we tend to wonder why our schools are not performing. In my leadership roles, I have “let people off the hook” in order to keep peace or to avoid aggravation and stress to both me personally and the school. As a leader, this is unacceptable. It may be a simple as turning your back or closing your eyes when someone is not doing the right thing.  It may be not writing an observation as it should be written.  It may be seeing something as you hope it would be rather than how it really is.  When we “let someone off the hook” we do not help that person.  We stifle his /her growth.  When we “let someone off the hook” we hurt the organization.  When we “let someone off the hook” we hurt the students.  How many times have you “let someone off the hook” thinking you were being kind and compassionate?  How did it work out?