Inspiring colleagues

NEA Today, Feb 1999

"We are all unique," writes school psychologist Robert A. Sullo, "but one thing most of us share is a lack of patience with colleagues who begin to preach to us after they have had a learning experience that was particularly meaningful to them. "The preacher who gives us unsolicited advice about how to improve our classrooms and schools has forgotten some important concepts: Everyone is doing the best they can.

All behavior is purposeful. And what my colleagues are doing makes good sense to them even if I believe I have learned a better way to do things. "Unsolicited advice is the thinly disguised twin of criticism, the most destructive behavior we can use with others."

Source: "Inspiring Quality in Your School: Inspiring Your Colleagues," by Robert A. Sullo, Teaching and Change, Spring-Summer 1998. Subscription info: www.corwinpress.com.