Mike McCarthy credits some of his success as a teacher and administrator to his initial teaching experience. When he was still a senior in college, he taught math at a prison to 26 inmates. He quickly realized that he was teaching individuals that did not receive the education that all students deserve. The educational system had failed them.
What McCarthy Believes about Leadership
After teaching for only five years, he decided to become a principal. He thought he could assist underserved students better from an administrative position.
It’s the People, Stupid. McCarthy quotes Casey Stengel in saying, "Keep the guys who hate you away from those who are still undecided." Hire people that share your vision. It is easier to implement programs and modifications when everyone is on the same train instead of forcing someone to change their thinking. He also hires bright people that like kids.
Find Time to Think During the Day. McCarthy takes time to assess how things are going. Reacting to issues without reflection serves no one very well. "It’s OK to stare at the wall and think about how to manage change. I have 70 people who work at King. Even the most centered has three bad days each school year. Multiply that by 70 people and that’s 210 bad days, which is more than the 180 school days in a year. So, me, I am never going to have a good day – just get over it." [1]
Consensus is Overrated. McCarthy believes there will always be 20% of the population that will never agree with you. Stop trying to please everyone with a compromise on important issues. "If you always try to reach consensus, you are being led by the 20%. [1]
Take Responsibility for the Good and the Bad. "If the problems in your school or organization lie below you and the solutions lie above you, then you have rendered yourself irrelevant," says McCarthy. [1] He believes that solutions are possible and are within the school.
It is All About the Kids
Your School Must be For All Kids 100% of the Time. Schools must serve all students all of the time. Avoiding conflicts usually means that some student needs are not being met because of the avoidance. Good administrators do the right thing for all students even if there is conflict.
Create a Vision, Write It Down, and Start Implementing It. Once a decision has been made based on a vision, every action after that point needs to be aligned with that vision. Visions don’t come to fruition from staying in the back of someone’s mind or jotted down and stuffed in a drawer.
You Have the Ultimate Responsibility. When people have expectations placed on them, they must possess the knowledge to be able to achieve those expectations. To expect people to perform without the skills to do so is unfair and disrespectful. Give people autonomy to manage their own work and merely inspect occasionally that it is being done.
Schools Require Teamwork
Have a Bias for Yes. Try and turn requests into a yes even when it may be difficult. Yes is powerful. "Ideas that teachers have may seem a little unsafe and crazy. Try to think, "How can I make this request into a yes?" [1] The word "yes" creates better relationships.
Large Change Needs to be Done Quickly. When a leader sees something that needs change, the change needs to come quickly. Waiting gives the impression of approval.
Paddles in the Water. When things get tough, notions of safety need to be abandoned. Everyone needs to have all paddles in the water even on dangerous waters. Playing it safe doesn’t get results.
Mike McCarthy is presently in Portland, Maine at Helen King Middle School. He doesn’t play it safe to avoid conflict. He creates visions and acts on them. McCarthy is there for the students 100% of the time and making a difference in children's lives.
[1] McCarthy, Mike and Baron, Kathy. "Ten Big Ideas of School Leadership," Edutopia, March 15, 2010.
Barbara Pytel - Email me Experience Although I was never particularly fond of going to school as an ELL student, I ironically became a teacher, ...
