It's not about you, but it is about you

Today I wanted to share something inspired by elementary school Principal, Vivian Nash.

Vivian is the principal of Glenn L. Downs Social Science Academy in Phoenix, AZ. She’s one of the most dynamic leaders I know and does incredible work to support her teachers, students, and families. Her school is part of the Cartwright School District serving an incredible community. (Full disclosure, Classroom Champions partners with her district to provide any teacher access to our curriculum as they need it.)

A couple years ago, I interviewed Vivian for a series we were doing at Classroom Champions on leadership. Something Vivian said in that meeting stuck with me. 

Here’s what she said: 

“I once talked to another principal who was very successful. She told me, ‘it isn’t about you, but it is about you. As a leader, your work is not about you — you have to focus on the people you’re there to lead and serve. But as a leader, you do set the tone. So in a way, your work IS about you’.”

Vivian went on to explain how she applied this concept in her own leadership. 

“When I first started as a principal, I was kind of scared. It’s just such a big responsibility. My mindset was more about my own perceived limitations. 

“But I very quickly shifted from focusing on me, to focusing on collaboration. I learned that if I just went on my own strength, we’d have a lot of weaknesses. But if we draw on the strengths of everyone around us, we can collectively get the job done. 

“At the same time, though, it’s up to me as a leader to create the kind of environment that allows for collaboration. It’s not just about me and what I bring to the table — it’s about everyone involved. But it also IS about me because I can help people feel comfortable bringing their strengths to the table. My actions can create an environment that allows them to share, contribute, and do what they need to do.” 

What I love about what Vivian is saying here is that leadership isn’t about putting the spotlight on yourself. But what you say and do DOES matter and those concepts can exist simultaneously.

She takes the concept of servant leadership seriously but understands there needs to be more than that.

This might seem obvious, but I think sometimes we focus so much on collaboration we forget that leadership requires some degree of self-focus.

In my experience and in the learnings from those that I admire the most, when we’re really in a great place with our leadership it means not being highly self-centered. But we DO need some degree of self-focus in order to do our best, be a good role model, and lead well.

It’s taken me a while to learn what the right balance may be, and I’m still learning. A big step in the right direction for me was overcoming imposter syndrome and realizing that I don’t have to be right all the time, and that vulnerability can actually be a huge asset sometimes. 

I literally have a post-it note on my desk that says “Use LESS Words.” (If you know me, you know this isn’t easy for me.)

But as leaders, I also think we need to accept the spotlight sometimes in service of our big goal. 

I take inspiration from:

• Teachers, who choose to stand in front of the class and do their best to lead for the sake of their students. 

• Principals like Vivian Nash, who create an environment for other people to bring their best.

• Our athlete mentors at Classroom Champions, who put themselves in the spotlight so they can act as role models and leaders for students. 

• Athletes who partake in a broadcasted sport and use standing on the podium or being interviewed after a win as a place to teach. Their primary objective might have been to just win, but their leadership gives other people something to aspire to.

So, if you’re a leader, I think Vivian’s quote is a good one to remember.

Don’t make it ALL about you — but remember that you matter too. If you keep getting better, you can help others do the same. 

- Steve