I'm still not sure what part I play, in this shadow play (Rory Gallagher)

Photo by Jack Finnigan on Unsplash

This shadowing lark has got me thinking.

How do I make the most of this situation for myself and for my incoming interim replacement?

It's 2018 - so I googled 'shadowing'.

As a consequence, some helpful suggestions popped up:

• Tell the shadow about myself – my own education and career path, and my style of leadership
• Explain the school ethos in general 
• Take the shadow on a tour – introduce him to co-workers, show him around the office or site, and give an overview of what the work environment is like 
• Set aside time for him to intentionally ask questions about the job and organisation
• Show the shadow how I work – allow him to observe daily tasks as much as possible, such as specific projects, staff/parent/student meetings, routines like Thursday reports   
• Suggest next action steps – guide the shadow toward more resources (human or otherwise)

I'm up for this experience but key to it working well will be the shadow's attitude. I've met plenty of senior managers who don't listen well, don't actually want to listen (thinking they are the complete bee's knees), or who don't engage with the process (for whatever reason).

Time will tell how this one works out!

Trust your feelings Luke (Obi Wan Kenobi)

The end of the middle of the end: now it's down to only a couple of weeks before leaving my current school.

The beginning was the last few weeks of Term 2, the middle has been the two week term break about to be concluded. The end will be the first few weeks of Term 3.

Two and a half weeks will go fast, particularly as an interim Principal has been assigned and will be shadowing me after week one.

An interesting concept, one I've not experienced before.

It should be interesting for us both. I don't plan on doing anything different during that time - he'll have to accept my version of Principalship as it is, and, for my staff's sake, I'm hoping his style will be compatible with that.

If not, they (staff and students and parents) may be in for a bumpy ride for the rest of the term. Then of course, they will all need to adjust to a new permanent Principal in Term 4.

None of this fills me with joy. Nothing about it is ideal. Because the English academic year starts in September, it's a necessary true fact: I need to be in England half way through NZ's year 😟