The strength of a group is basic math... divide the "windows" by the "mirrors".

My preference has always to be part of a "team" rather than just be involved in individual pursuits. Not sure why that is the case, but almost in every aspect in my life I have always preferred to participate as part of a group. There are certainly some challenges to working in teams or groups, but I think most people would choose to be amongst others as opposed solely working in isolation.

One of the realities working in groups you will be faced with challenges or the necessity of change... it is unavoidable. As a leader I have found that these challenges can actually be beneficial in some ways. As a leaders I have found that nothing clarifies someone's true character more than facing a challenge. American Author William Arthur Ward probably said it best..."Adversity causes some men to break; others to break records.” Anyone can be pleasant when things are going well, but add some adversity or the need to change and it will reveal a person's true nature more than anything else.

When working with groups I find that there are largely two groups of people.. there are "window" people and there are "mirror" people. It has been my experience that every group or organization will have at least a few members in each category, but how many of each can be a key indicator of how successful the organization will be. So who are these "window" and "mirror" people?

"Mirror" people are those people who when faced with a challenge or impending change will immediately think first about the implications for themselves. The first thoughts a "Mirror" person would have when faced with adversity or change would be:

How does this impact me?
How can I minimize the impact on me?
Who can I blame for the challenge we are facing?
I wonder who else I can get to join me in opposing these changes?

On the other side of the spectrum are "window" people. "Window" people can see their own reflection, but they largely focus on what they see by looking outward. They look for the reactions or impact on others as well as other see other possible implications. The first thoughts a "Window" person would have when faced with adversity or change would be:

How does this impact our entire community?
Who might need my support in facing this situation?
Who should I partner with to face this situation together?
What are the short and long term steps we need to be considering in facing this situation?

What are the other indications of whether a person might be considered more of a "window" person? In my experience these people tend to use the word "we" far more often than they use the letter "I" when offering a response to a challenge. They tend to pause longer before taking action instead of simply reacting right away in a rapid fire manner. Lastly, "window" people in my experience tend to use their ears and mouth in proportion to the number of each they have on their own head.

It hasn't been my experience that any of us are completely one way or the other. We could shift from looking at ourselves in a "mirror" or taking in the broad view that a "window" offers depending on the situation we are facing or the magnitude of the challenge before us. It is also clear that we more likely early in our development as humans to spend more time in the "mirror" than we do the "window"... although considering the current US President there is some significant counter evidence to that claim! It has also been my experience that the more "window" people you have the healthier and more successful your organization or group will be. Even previously successful groups can be negatively impacted when they face an increase of "mirror" people. Former NBA coach Pat Riley experienced this with the LA Lakers following a championship season when he team was overtaken by something similar which he referred to as the "disease of me"

As I interact with other school leaders around the world it is clear that no one is "winning" in facing the challenges to schools presented by COVID 19. I can't really think of anyone (inside or outside education) who isn't facing some type of personal or professional challenge at the current time. However, it does seem to me that things might be a bit more positive and successful if we all were more committed to spending our time looking out "windows" rather than our own reflection in a "mirror". Here's to maximizing our "window" views as we all travel on our own "path forward"!

Be safe... be healthy... be well... and don't be silent!.

====================================================================== “The most difficult thing for individuals to do when they’re part of the team is to sacrifice. It’s so easy to become selfish in a team environment… Willing sacrifice is the great paradox. You must give up something in the immediate present – comfort, ease, recognition, quick rewards – to attract something even better in the future; a full heart and sense that you did something which counted. Without sacrifice, you’ll never know your team’s potential, or your own.” -Pat Riley