Find Me a Good Boss

Gloria J. Davis will retire next week from her Superintendent's post at Decatur Public Schools, a position she has held since 2006.
I enjoyed my experience working for the Decatur Schools as a sport education consultant under Ms. Davis' leadership. I liked the fact that she gave a charge, and supported without micro-management; I welcomed her 'hold-your-feet-to-the-fire' leadership style. That said, many folks did not like Davis' shake-up approach. My thoughts on that in a moment but first this: Superintendent Davis made some significant educational program changes to the Decatur Public Schools' landscape during her tenure and brought about a much needed  'school-uniform' policy and was most instrumental in successfully 'passing' a county sales tax, which benefits many county schools and specifically brings about two re-constructed Decatur high schools. (Eisenhower & MacArthur).


Now, if I may, my perception of some folk's irritation with Superintendent Davis. Status quo stokes comfort and comfort, although a stagnation risk is most peoples' zone of choice.  I hope Ms. Davis did not take personally much of the negative rebellious clatter because it is the nature of our work force creatures.


Answer this question and one may gain insight into that which drives today's 'Don't Hold Me Accountable Attitude! If you blow smoke in a child's butt all his adolescent years, spend endless hours heaping on bogus praise encouraging 'feelings' over responsibility and slap a smiley-face super-star sticker on every freaking thing the little turd-blossom touches...then why the hell would you think he's going to grown up ready to take kindly to workplace accountability or criticism???


There are two kinds of leaders. Incidental leaders and intentional leaders. The incidental leader can and often times emerges in a crisis situation and with a spontaneous 'take charge' approach assumes that leadership role...he is often 'the hero.' The case of the intentional leader is more defined in clinical terms. A 'guidance' role (leaderships position) has been defined and a person is appointed to fulfill expectations. Everybody else then stands in the wings and second guesses the leader or bitches should the leader point out where others could DO BETTER. Come now people; America's 21st Century thinking is simple: a good boss is a boss with low expectations, which enables employees to achieve 'success' easier...and make sure we have 'casual-dress' Fridays my 'Dear Watson!'


Good luck and God speed Ms. Davis.