ABSTRACT
The school assembly went on longer than expected and now the lunch schedule is going to be messed up. A student threw up in the hallway and the custodian is at lunch. Two substitutes did not show up and there are about 60 students unsupervised. A parent’s car died in the carpool line and has caused a traffic jam. A teacher forgot to fill out her paperwork for professional leave. If you are a school administrator, you have probably never had a day go as planned. Leaders are confronted with constant challenges and obstacles throughout the day. The best leaders do not let these glitches fluster them, and they certainly do not let them ruin the day. They understand how to prioritize the challenges, and they take the unexpected snafus in stride. When the leader gets stressed, the other adults often get stressed. Conversely, when leaders respond to the challenges of the day with grace and a positive attitude, they help to set the tone for the day. They provide assurance to the other 16staff members, and they model constructive ways of dealing with adversity.
