A Decision Is a Decision

Yesterday, my aunt, who also happens to be our Learning Consultant and a former administrator, told me I made a good decision to hold a full day of school, even though several City & County Catholic schools chose to close or delay until 9:00 a.m. Even though she was campaigning for a late start, etc.

My response was simple: It was a decision.

After 41 years in education, 26 of those in administration, I’ve learned one undeniable truth, you are not going to make everyone happy. If I make parents happy, teachers and staff are often frustrated. If I close school because teachers live far away, cars won’t start, or someone gets stuck on a side street, then parents are scrambling for childcare.

So today, I made a decision.
And I lived by it.
I stood by it.
And I did not second or third-guess myself.

Here’s a little secret, pulling back the curtain like Dorothy did in The Wizard of Oz: I rarely make an important decisions alone.

Most decisions are informed ones, shaped by what I call my “Brain Trust”: the pastor, the administrative assistant, the head of facilities, and, the Learning Consultant (a former 30+ year school administrator). They offer their perspectives. They give their opinions.
And then I make the decision.

That’s leadership.

Ever since I started decluttering my head, since I decided that my peace would no longer be ruled by others’ approval ratings, I sleep better at night. I don’t lie awake replaying the day, wondering who I made happy, who I annoyed, whether it was the perfect call, or how I could have done it differently.

Every night before I go to bed, I ask God to make me a better version of myself than I was today. But I no longer live my days in checklist mode.

I make a decision.
I own it.
And I move forward, into the rest of the day, the night, and whatever comes next.

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