Quality
of Network
The
importance of the quality of network is very much in an effort to solve the
feeling that can occur in middle-management situation, the feeling of being
isolated. Worried to talk to your
Head of School about your problem, because he is also your supervisor. The other side of the spectrum, knowing
you cannot confide in individual members of the faculty.
The
quality of one’s network is literally their professional support system. Those with whom you can share new
ideas, solve existing problems, and vent without fear of retribution or
violation of confidentiality.
Overall, my litmus test of the quality of my network is the level of
“connectiveness” I feel to my work. No one person does their job alone anymore,
however how connected you are to others (however you define your network) help
you to feel more efficient and more effective.
Before
I go too much further, let me try to explain what I mean by “quality of
network.” Network is to me, all
those people in which I confide.
Those I go to, for gathering information, vetting ideas, and
disseminating facts. How well a person deliberately creates this resource base,
can be in my opinion, an element of their professional success. I divide
network quality into two categories:
internal resources and external resources.
Internally:
Access
to your Head of School: weekly
meetings, availability by phone, willingness to discuss a range of issues from
ideas, impressions to complaints and possible solutions.
Check-ins
Points: go to where people gather
naturally and listen to them. Make
yourself available to hear what they have to say.
Externally:
Cohort
Groups: ISANNE LEADS, TABS,
Professional
Development: Master
degrees,Graduate classes, or conferences
Social
Media:
·
Twitter: follow
professional in your field and thinkers outside of your school and schools in
general. This is the best DIY (Do
It Yourself) professional development available.
·
Blog: Write about what you
are doing, thinking, trying, worrying about…if you don’t like to write in essay
form, Twitter is like mini-blogging
·
Facebook: make a group
with those that do the same job as you and share your thoughts.
·
List Serves:
·
Video Conference: Skype or
GoToMeeting—is great example to video conference on topics
I
encourage others to develop their support system. It has helped me better support my faculty, which in turn
helps support our students. Please
let me know if I can be of any help.
My
thanks to the ISANNE Heads of School who listened to me as I presented on the
topic above on November 15, 2012.
Matt Ruby, Gould Academy Head of School who lent the phrase “quality of
network.” Most importantly, thanks
to Andrew Menke New Hampton School Head of School who trusted me enough to talk
about the complexities to support someone in middle management.
