Passive Aggressive Leadership
You know that moment when you have something to share and you know it is relevant and important but you can't find the right ear for your message? I feel like that has been my life lately.
The direct approach doesn't always work. With my middle school students, the balance between honesty, realism, and what they can handle is hard to determine. The same can be said for school leadership. People don't want you to come to them with problems unless you are also bringing a solution. What happens when you have a possible solution but it is falling on deaf ears?
Enter passive aggressive leadership.
While the phrase passive aggressive has a negative connotation, it can work in your favor. Instead, change the wording. Think positive peer pressure. In the words of Seinfeld's George Costanza, "It's not a lie if you believe it." Put your message out there. Constantly. Write it on the board. Put quotes on your window. Tweet it. Tag someone with it. Broaden your audience, you can find the right ear to hear your message.
Be consistent. Keep it positive. Stay on point. People do pay attention. Give it time. It works if you work it.
The direct approach doesn't always work. With my middle school students, the balance between honesty, realism, and what they can handle is hard to determine. The same can be said for school leadership. People don't want you to come to them with problems unless you are also bringing a solution. What happens when you have a possible solution but it is falling on deaf ears?
Enter passive aggressive leadership.
While the phrase passive aggressive has a negative connotation, it can work in your favor. Instead, change the wording. Think positive peer pressure. In the words of Seinfeld's George Costanza, "It's not a lie if you believe it." Put your message out there. Constantly. Write it on the board. Put quotes on your window. Tweet it. Tag someone with it. Broaden your audience, you can find the right ear to hear your message.
Be consistent. Keep it positive. Stay on point. People do pay attention. Give it time. It works if you work it.
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