ABSTRACT
The average principal works many hours a week handling stress-related issues regarding personnel, students, parents, instruction, budgets, and a myriad of other topics. Because the job of a school leader is so challenging, dealing with fatigue and exhaustion can cause administrators to be sensitive and take things too personally. Taking things personally is more likely to happen when leaders are under constant pressure and do not take time to recuperate and gain the fresh perspective that rest or breaks allow. Fatigue, criticism, and stress can all cause a leader to take things too personally, but regardless of the reason this action is a trust buster. Leaders who want to work on not taking things personally should become familiar with or review the concepts of emotional intelligence. As leaders improve their self-awareness skills related to emotions, they can improve in the management of the emotions. By understanding how to manage emotions, leaders will be more likely not to take things personally.
