Exit Cards

At the first staff meeting of the year, I had the staff fill out an exit card to:
1) get a feel for the temperature - positive or negative
2) see if they were hearing me
3) see if they were on the same page as I was, and
4) get to know them a bit better.

I gave them the exit cards at the beginning of the day and told them I was doing that so that they could think about it as the day went on and to take time to reflect on what we were doing. I mentioned that we do this with students when we want them to focus on the message we are giving.

I asked them to tell me 3 pieces of good news that they heard during the day, 2 ways in which staff plan to serve our students, and 1 life passion they have.

I think I learned a great deal: staff were generally positive and a few heard the same good news that I was trying to get across. I was encouraged to hear the principles by which we govern ourselves shining through loud and clear.

What will I do with these exit cards? I will refer to the cards from time to time to make sure I am living up to the good news I was spouting, that I am supporting the staff in the ways they intend to serve and that I ask them about their life passions. By having conversations with staff around these ideas, they will know that I hold their views in high esteem and that I support them in having a balance to their lives.

One piece of good news that I communicated was "I am in the right place at the right time!" and "You are in the right place at the right time!" Two of my staff members wrote the first bit down word for word. I found that extremely encouraging. This means that they are ready for whatever comes! I just need to be there to support them so that they continue to believe it.