“I’m sorry to bother you; I know you are so busy.”

“I’m so sorry to bother you; I know you are busy.”  How many of us have heard this uttered recently by a staff member to us?  After that statement, almost apologetically, the staff member shares their question, issue, or concern with us.  This statement has been rattling around in my mind lately.
Are we that busy?  Is our time that much more important than anyone else?  Do we give off body language requiring an apology from a staff member asking for a moment of our time?  God, I hope not.  The more I think about this, the more I get upset.  Who are we to think our time is more valuable than anyone else?

I have read a lot recently about administrators not being available at certain times during the day.  I have also seen administrators who have a staff member seek them out, and the response is to email their secretary to set up a time to meet and discuss because they are busy at the moment.  Now, I am not righteous and won’t say that I haven’t done all of the above in my career and probably recently. But no more. 

Our job is a people-before-paper job. 

This week, I want to challenge each of us to think about the staff member who stops you and says, “I’m sorry to bother you; I know you are busy.”  As a principal of a large high school with over 2,400 students and 200 staff members, there are very few times when I actually can’t stop and listen.  

Here are a few things to think about -- 

Is this their only conference period that day?

As a building leader, how often are you seen during the day?  If you are not visible, this might be the teacher's only opportunity to speak with you.

Do we communicate an open-door policy in August and close the door in November when we are overwhelmed?

If we ask that teacher to set up a meeting via email, will they ever stop and ask for your help again?  

We all talk about remembering what it was like to be a teacher, assistant principal, building principal etc.  We talk about caring for our staff.  We talk about walking alongside staff members.  How many of us refer to our leadership style as being a servant’s leader?  

This week, let’s make sure our talk matches our actions, and the people we lead know that it is never inconvenient to stop and ask us a question, a favor, or seek guidance.   When asked, “Do you have a minute?”  My corny response will be, “For you, I have two minutes.”  

Lastly, being visible and approachable builds a healthy climate on your campus.  In a day and age where we are losing teachers, this simple approach could be why an educator remains in the profession.