So being a San Antonio Spurs fan, I've been paying close attention to the free agency period. And although the Spurs came away as BIG winners, it was another free agency move that caught my eye. DeAndre Jordan, a Los Angles Clipper player good enough to be considered for Defensive Player of the Year, decided to move to the Dallas Mavericks. Now the Mavericks are a decent team, but not as strong as the Clippers, who most experts agree were much closer to getting in the Western Conference finals than the Mavericks before Jordan left. So, why would a great player move from, what most outsiders would say is, a GREAT team to a team that, again according to the experts, is weaker? What could they offer? What was Jordan seeking? Various sports articles state that all was not well with the Clippers core unit and much has been made of this headline...
#BigFiveat5 #2: A high five can go a long way, at least if you're @deandrejordan6. http://t.co/fkCrM3oUma— ESPN 1100/100.9 FM (@ESPNLasVegas) July 7, 2015
This is why I've been intrigued by this development. It seems as if he was fed up with not being valued. If a professional athlete, making millions of dollars is willing to forgo a better chance of winning with one team because he didn't feel appreciated for his work/contributions, it means no one is immune. The valuable currency in this deal was/is appreciation. It made me think of educators, who CLEARLY are not in the profession for the financial reward. What other currency would make them stay on difficult campuses or move from GREAT campuses to ones that are not as strong? Could it be a feeling of appreciation? It's so important for educators on EVERY campus to feel as if their contributions to the campus are appreciated. Now it's easy to do this with the superstars on the campus (or on a basketball team), but what about those teachers who are quietly doing amazing things in their classrooms (or the grunt work on the court)? How are they recognized? How about the ones who are continually learning and greet professional development as an opportunity rather than a requirement. In the fast pace of a school day/school year it's easy to miss all the little things that make a campus great, or the extra effort that most educators give? Recognition doesn't need to mean a big fancy announcement, a special shout-out at a faculty meeting, or a name on a marque, some might not even enjoy the public attention. However, I've come to believe, a simple heartfelt "Thank You for being here", "Thank You for working so hard", "I appreciate your efforts" or even a high-five can make a big difference. I wonder what the Clippers think about this now?
I saw this quote on Twitter this week and it has stayed with me:
That, in addition to the DeAndre Jordan story, has given me a new goal for this upcoming year. I want to make sure every person on my team gets a high-five from me this year - metaphorically or physically- a little thank you for your efforts. Angela Maiers with her #YouMatter campaign on Twitter is doing MANY great things to help us recognize each other. I know I'll be trying some of her tips next year.Under poor leaders we feel like we work for the company. With good leaders we feel like we work for each other.— Simon Sinek (@simonsinek) April 20, 2015
The outcomes may look differently, but I know all educators want to help their students grow during the year, and that effort is what should be acknowledged. Teaching middle schoolers is difficult enough, but can can seem unbearable if you're carrying the extra weight of feeling like no one recognizes your hard work. Why go through the trouble? The hard work of educating middle school students IS easier when your team feels and works exactly like that - a TEAM. I don't want to end up like the Clippers, losing a valuable team member because his effort wasn't recognized. The appreciation might not make them stay, but it might make the decision a bit more difficult.
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| Twitter quote from @simonsinek |
