From the Desk of Mr. Mike Shukis
Improving Our Emotional Intelligence during Difficult Times
As I have said a number of times, we are all leaders of children. Parents are leaders in the home, and faculty/staff, and school administrators are leaders in the educational life of students. Certainly, intelligence, determination, and vision are requirements for success in any endeavor, however, we also need a high degree of self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy and refined social skills. Research in leadership development has found direct ties with these skills and measurable positive results.
Self-awareness refers to a deep understanding of our own emotions, strengths, weakness, needs, and drives. People with strong self-awareness are neither overly critical nor unrealistically hopeful; they are honest with themselves and others. Those who are the most successful take a deliberate approach to building self-awareness through prayer, relying on trusted friends and getting regular feedback from our colleagues.
We cannot do away with negative emotions, but we can do much to manage them. Self-regulation is the inner conversation we are always having with ourselves. Knowing how to regulate our emotions can mean the difference between embracing our roles and burning out. When we are in control of our emotions, we are better able to roll with changes and navigate our students through tough times.
Good leaders are driven to achieve above and beyond expectations. Plenty of people are motivated by external factors such as higher salaries or prestige, but the best leaders are driven by a deep desire to achieve. Many of us enter leadership positions because we want to make a difference in the lives of our children and the families we serve. We as school leaders, are driven to achieve and are forever raising the performance bar not only for ourselves but also for our students and the school as a whole.
We have all felt the empathy of a sensitive teacher or friend or have been struck by its absence in an unfeeling coach, mentor, or boss. Many people seem to believe that empathy is out of place amid the tough realities of leadership – but empathy isn’t mushiness; it simply means thoughtfully considering others’ feelings before making decisions. By noticing the good around us we can balance our attention and increase our empathy.
Finally, leveraging social skills as a leader during difficult times is not just a matter of friendliness; it is about friendliness with a purpose. Socially skilled leaders tend to have a wide circle of acquaintances and a knack for finding common ground and building rapport with people of all kinds. This doesn’t mean being social all the time, but it does mean working on the assumption that nothing important gets done alone.
It would be foolish to think that good old-fashioned intelligence, experience, and the skills to operationally run a home or school are not vital, but the recipe would not be complete without strong emotional intelligence. As leaders we must be willing to model the five dimensions and look within ourselves for ways to make improvements. Thankfully, these five dimensions can be learned. They may be challenging and time-consuming, but the benefits make it worth the effort.
Mike Shukis
Superintendent
Color Run - Kick off Homecoming Week!
Hurricanes, get ready to kick off Homecoming week with a colorful splash!
The National Honor Society will be holding its second annual COLOR RUN Sunday, September 22nd, from 3-5:15 pm. It will take place on the Marian Central Track and is open to all students, families, alumni, and faculty. Get ready to get a little messy as you run for a great cause.
The $10 fee will cover an X-Large white T-shirt to wear during the Color Run and all of the proceeds will go to the Poor Clare Nuns of Rockford. To sign up please scan the QR code or click here and fill out the google form which will hold more details! Go Canes!
