Leadership / Management

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 A newly appointed principal was shocked to witness several teachers haul away stacks of textbooks and supplies from an unattended storage room.  He searched for the janitor who held the only key to the space and asked, “Who is responsible for controlling the inventory in the stock room?”
             “I am, sir,” replied the janitor. 
            “Well, I just saw a group of teachers walking out of there with supplies for which they had no requisition form.” 
             “The teachers usually give me a list of what they have taken after they have stocked their classroom,” said the janitor.  “They are pretty good about returning excess materials.”
             “I am not sure it is such a good idea to allow teachers to have this kind of unlimited access to the supplies,” said the principal.  “Can we depend on them to be completely honest about what they are doing?” 
             The janitor scratched his head and stared at the principal and then replied, “We trust them with the children, don’t we.”   
             A great way to develop trust is to extend trust.  Most people will live up to expectations.  Unfortunately, some will also live down to expectations.  So expect the best.  More often than not you will get it. 

For more information about Ken Chapman and Associates’ Leadership Development Programs, contact Ken Chapman at 205.366.0265 or email Ken at kchapman@leaderscode.com.

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