Compass Points
I learned something valuable at Hahvhad.
During one of our group work, we were asked to categorize ourselves according to our working style. Here are the categories:
North: You’re a let’s do it type of person. You like to jump right in and start doing the work, or if you come across a good idea, you want to implement it immediately.
South: You are person who likes to ask everybody’s opinion before you act. You take people’s feelings into consideration before going forward.
East: You’re a big picture type of person. You like to examine your options and test the proverbial water before you jump in and start doing the work.
West : You’re detail oriented and you like things that are systematic and in order.
After the categories were defined, I and my fellow school administrators were asked to group ourselves according to our self-perceived working styles. I thought for a second and then I got up and strutted my self to the East Side like George Jefferson.
So I’m an East Side boy who likes testing the water and looks at the big picture while I weigh my options. Ok, now I know why it took me forever to decide whether to buy the crimson Hahvhad shirt or the gray one.
I tried on both color shirts in both medium and large. I read the label to see if the shirts will shrink upon washing. The number or times that I’m going to wear the shirt were also considered. After I decided on my shirt, then I had to go through the same process for the rest of the family. Now you know I have a big family, right? The good news was that I had plenty of time to kill.
If I was pressed for time, then I would have “perpetrated” and would have acted as if I was from the North Side. Can you just imagine if I were a Southerner? Thank goodness!
On a serious note, the activity reinforced my long held notion that the reason why our school is successful is because our administrative teams represent all the compass points. We complement each other very well and as a result we are able to form a formidable team.
My marriage is also the same. We recognize each other’s strengths and weaknesses (not that I’m saying that my wife has weakness because she doesn’t) and we use this knowledge to create a harmonious home for our children.
What about you? Do you know your compass point and the compass points of your colleagues or your family?
but i’d really love to think i’m like kaddryn. versatile 
