Sweep the Shed
How not to be too big to do the little things in education.
Remote learning has proven the value of going the extra mile for our students, staff, parents, and community. Scrolling through the familiar social media platforms, there are examples of educational leaders all over the world creating authentic experiences and connections. A feather in those educators’ caps can be taken from one of the greatest, most successful examples of leadership built on the foundation of tradition and legacy of their culture.
The New Zealand All Blacks Rugby Team has been performing the HAKA since inception. Paying homage to their roots, each member of the All Blacks respects the tradition and looks at their ability to wear the mighty All Blacks jersey as a responsibility to leave a legacy others will follow.
One of the best examples of “leading by example” can be seen in their “Sweeping the Shed” after practices, matches, even World Championships. Led by the captains, the All Blacks (literally) “sweep the shed” of their locker room, setting a tone and expectation of never being “too big to do the little things.”
It’s not an action or a decision. It’s a mindset, a lifestyle where you are either all in or all out.
If we can apply that mindset to our building, the people inside it, and our community, we will be creating a legacy people will want to be a part of, participate with and say they helped create.
For those with titles, it is important that we remember that does not mean we are leaders. It’s not the title that makes someone a leader, it’s actions towards the one you lead — that includes staff, teachers, custodial staff, office staff, students, parents, community … anyone you come across during any given day of a school year.
If you want to be seen as a leader to these people, let them see you leading by doing the things you are not expected to. And when you do, don’t do it as a posed prop to be set up on your social platforms.
That’s not to say you shouldn’t have those moments uploaded, but your community can always see the difference between authentic and “because someone’s watching, film it or take a picture.” It is easy to get caught up in the latter in the Digital Age.
Tell your story to your community by being real. Don’t overpromise, don’t underachieve, and never stay complacent and live in the realm of “we’ve always done things that way.” Distance learning has put that phrase to bed, especially if you want your staff and students to walk into a reborn and revitalized school culture Post-COVID.
Here are some simple ways to “sweep the shed” as a leader in your building and district. Again, do them because you want to. Doing the Right Thing should come naturally and be a universal language your leadership team speaks daily.
What Sweeping the Shed Might Look Like in Your Building or District
- Clean the cafeteria tables after lunch periods to lighten the load of the lunch staff.
- Tear down old bulletin boards so students see you taking pride in what they are bringing to the school, keeping the building up to date, by motivating advisors and student leaders to do so.
- Stay after a night game is over in the gym (basketball, volleyball, etc.) and grab the broom and sweep the gym floor to get your custodial staff home to their families a little earlier than usual.
- Create a role reversal day with your main office staff. As a building administrator, you take over the phones, emails, and in-person requests for a day. This will accomplish two things: your secretarial staff can walk the halls and get to know students on a different level and you can develop personal relationships with the people of the community calling in.
- Let students and staff see you (before and after) the school day picking up trash around the perimeter of the building — don’t wait for the building and groundskeeping crew to do it. Let the school see you taking pride in the look and watch how they do the same.
- Create greeters in front of the building, where parents drop off their kids and where the busses drop off. Think DisneyWorld where you are welcoming students, staff, and visitors to a place they should “want” to come to as opposed to “have” to.
- Restock supplies in Department and Faculty Offices for them — notice when it needs to happen BEFORE they have to ask or send an email request.
- Don’t be afraid to grab a can of paint and a paintbrush and touch up rooms, hallways, offices, locker rooms, etc. Again, it’s a pride thing. If the staff and students see you treating the building like your house, they will consider it the same.
Last, but certainly first and foremost
Be genuine in always asking EVERYONE (and I mean everyone) how they are doing, is there anything you can do for them.
Being seen is so important to not only students, but our staff as well. Think about how many times you wished someone cared, asked if you were ok, or just noticed when you needed someone.
If you are genuine when you ask the questions, and your community truly believes in the authenticity of you asking, some will answer truthfully.
And that is what “sweeping the shed” truly looks like.
Create a culture and climate that is real, that is genuine, that is authentic and that is inviting.
Create a climate where people are kind, people are inclusive and people are accepting.
Leave a legacy of a leader, not by title, but by doing what no one ever asked of you.
