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Tip Sheet #49

Politics anyone????

I really enjoy mentoring new principals.  It is amazing seeing how much they grow over a two-year period.  Yet I marvel at their naivete. They do not realize that they have entered a political arena where only the strong will survive. Schools tend to be one of the most political of workplaces.  Not only do you have to deal with the dynamics of the internal politics of your specific school, you have to either directly or indirectly answer to some sort of an elected or appointed school board.

You are a big boy (or girl) now.

Like it or not you have entered the world of grown-ups.  Some will play these political games for their own purposes and in many districts it is always about politics.  Politics will push or pull you in a specific direction.

Common definitions of politics all include the aspect of one hoping to achieve or hold on to power.  You will find that life in your school tends to be very much about status.  People need to feel important.  People need to feel that they matter.  You will see this played out every day.  Most people will argue that this quest for power and status will at times turn devious and divisive. You must know who in your school is fighting for power or fighting to keep their power.  How are you going to manage it ?  Your success may depend on it!

That being said, your tenure and survival in this position may well be based in part on how well that you play this game.  You may think that you will be above it all, but if you truly intend to stay above it, you may be looking for a job every several years.  I think the key to surviving this political monster is to know that like so many other things, it is more or less an ebb and flow phenomenon.  I caution you and perhaps encourage you that at times you may have to bend, but do not break.  Never do anything illegal or against your professional ethics.  The job is not worth it.

Politics will sneak into most aspects of your job. Politics are especially prevalent in hiring and in job assignments.  These areas are ripe for the local power brokers.  Listed below are some ideas to help you survive.

• Beware of strangers bearing gifts or favors. It is a rare occasion if someone was to just give you something or do something for you with no strings attached.  If you think something is too good to be true, you are probably right.  Get away from it!
• Don’t participate in private meetings and if you must, watch what you say. This may just be a meeting for coercion. Do not make any promises. Others will be resentful of these “secret” meetings.
• You must always be transparent. Avoid playing into the hands of the personal agenda of others. Your only mission must be for the students. Make that crystal clear.
• There will always be some form of external forces on you. You must recognize and deal with them but do not let them drive you.
• Understand that some local politicians will look to control you. This force could be either covert or overt.  But it will be there. Probe deeply if you can. Always try to anticipate what they really want.

Unfortunately, no one makes you take a course on navigating the internal politics of your school or district.  A course such as this would have been far more beneficial than some antiquated course on Thomas Dewey.  Unfortunately, you have to learn all of this by experience.

Go slowly, say very little until you know what people want from you, and trust very few people.

I apologize if that sounds cold and crude.  But remember what I said earlier in this article.  You are a big boy (or girl) now!