5-13-2016

Mary’s Minute

“Power is of two kinds. One is obtained by the fear of punishment and the other by acts of love. Power based on love is a thousand times more effective and permanent then the one derived from fear of punishment.”                 ~ Mahatma Gandhi

“Power is like being a lady... if you have to tell people you are, you aren't.”

~ Margaret Thatcher

Working with children and/or in leadership roles we have situations where we hold power over others.  The question is how that power is obtained.  The quotes above suggest that the power cannot be demanded.  Maggie Thatcher’s quote made me laugh, so I had to include it, but it also is so true.  Power is something we must earn, not something we can demand.  Gandhi takes it a step further by describing the most effective power.  At Perry Central we talk a lot about healing and not punishing, the same way Gandhi talks about fear of punishment versus acts of love.  We can wield power over students through the fear of punishment to get them to do what we want.  We can exert power by punishing them when they make mistakes, but punishing does not have the power to change behavior like acts of love and efforts to heal.  We strive to gain the respect of others: the people we work with, the students who ride on our bus, the students in our classroom, etc.  We can do this in three ways.  1.) We can demand it, by stating that we have power through our words or actions, in which case we have no power at all.  (Remember it is like being a lady, “If you have to tell people you are, you aren’t.”).  2.) We can create an environment that creates a fear of punishment as a way to yield power.  Or 3.) To create a more permanent and effective type of respect, we can create an environment that is based in caring spirit.  If in doubt, let’s always choose love!  I am thankful that is the Perry Central way.

                                                            Have a great week!

                                                            Mary