Don't Get Bullied

Today, the word “bully” is the

latest buzzword for parents, students,

news agencies, and political figures.

There have always been bullies and

those being bullied since the first one

room schoolhouse opened their doors to

school age children. What’s different

today is the speed and spread of the

apparent threat from bullies. Before,

we had to wait for recess and then for

the bully and bullied to be in the same

place at the same time. Now, the bully

or bullied can text, email, Facebook, or

instant message the threat and the same

method can be used to spread the rumour

to hundreds or thousands instantly.

As Principal, there are two forms

of bullying you have to get a hold of

quick or you will get bullied. One fool

proof way to handle this is, “don’t get

bullied.” Confession- 9

This is done on the student level

and the staff level. There is a bully

(student) that can’t wait to get to

the new Principal and there is a bully

(staff member) that can’t wait for your

arrival. You have to have a plan to

handle the bullies when they arrive.

With the student and staff, you

have to win over the bully immediately.

Notice I didn’t say, “kiss up.” ALL

bullies bully because they have a need

that has never been met. This need is

your ticket to winning them over. On

the student level, you want to find out

what is their fear that causes them to

act other than themselves. The bullying

aspect they use is a smoke screen to

something they are hiding. Your task is

to find out what it is.

The staff member is the same. There

is a human need to be validated. Meaning

to be acknowledged for the value you

bring to whatever endeavour you pursue.

The bully staff member often starves

for this validation. It’s your task to

find out what that accomplishment is that

hasn’t been validated. Find it and you

will have the bully on your side.

Now some veterans will say, don’t

waste your time with the bully, I

disagree. All modern medicine teaches

that cancer spreads unless it is treated

in its early stages. This bully allowed

to run loose in your building will infect

the entire staff with their disdain for

your administration. When this cancer

takes over the entire school, you will

be the one that’s removed and the cancer

will continue to find a host in the next

Principal victim. Don’t get bullied.