We are delighted this week to have a post from John Belmont a mathematics teacher and champion of FED. Here he explores how little things can get in the way of big conversations and of engaging with each other.

John Belmont

I am part of a 10-person team who have their own small staff office which contains a sink. We have coffee and tea making facilities and usually meet together each day during a break. This is a key time for us and big conversations go on there. Given that we all teach separately it is the key time for engagement. However apparently small issues can get in the way of this.

Mugs are a problem.

There are often not enough mugs for each person. Maybe someone has taken a mug away on the previous day and not returned it. Someone has to go without. On other occasions there is a pile of dirty mugs in the sink where a person has returned a mug and left it for someone else to sort out. There are also occasions when the mug that you have been using for days, a mug that you have diligently brought back and washed each day, has been snatched by one of the above mentioned people.

What can you do when you are let down by the mug situation? What can you do about it other than politely ask that all mugs are returned and washed each day? Is it right that the focus has now shifted away from the daily relaxing social break into a fight against the mug-abusers? More importantly a key opportunity for meaningful engagement is lost.

Leadership Nudge

There are numerous potential solutions so find one and move on. Prioritise. Keep sight of the really important issues. Don’t let little irritations spoil big relationships and stop you tackling big issues.

What is happening with your mugs?

John Belmont

Teacher Egglescliffe School, Stockton-on-Tees