O is for Offer Support

O is for Offer Support

“We rise by lifting others.” -Robert Ingersoll

Offering support should flow easily after either a collaborative conversation or a captain-directed conversation. When a teacher shares with you something new they want to try or decides to take a risk and push outside their comfort zone, acknowledge that it can sometimes be a challenge or be uncomfortable and then ask, “How can I help?”

We want to be a go-to resource for our crew members. We want them to ask for help when they truly need it, and we want them to know that we support risk taking, learning, and growth and that we will do what we can to get obstacles out of their way and help brainstorm solutions to challenges that arise.

We want our crew to know that it’s not perfection but continuous steps toward improvement that we value most. Not being perfect at something is part of the learning process. The messages administrators give too often convey an expectation of perfection.

We can’t forget that it takes time to get good at anything worthwhile. Rather than point out faults (which the teacher is likely already aware of), celebrate the fact that the teacher took a chance! Point out what went right, engage in a collaborative conversation about what’s next, and then offer support. That may mean providing additional professional development opportunities, but it may be as simple as building in practice time.

Offer Support Challenge

Find three ways you can offer support to staff who are trying new things.

• Who in your system is struggling? 
• Who is looking to take a leap and try something new and innovative?
• How can you provide or get them (it doesn’t always have to be you) the extra support they need?

-Shelley

ANCHOR Conversations Live Event

Have Questions for us during the #LeadLAP ANCHOR series? Want to dive deeper into ANCHOR at our LIVE event on April 30 9:30 am CST? Drop your questions and sign up HERE.