Being demanding: On the edge of my Zone of Proximal Development

One of my personal professional learning goals this year is around being warm and demanding.

According to the Myers Briggs Type Indicator, I am an ENFP-T. You may not be sold on the science behind these personality tests, but I think there is something to be said about their ability to make you reflect.

I revisited this today after a tricky decision I made around a student, and felt that these descriptions really resonated with my innate self.

The problem with these traits is that they can compromise my integrity as a leader, coach and role model, and be detrimental to the hub culture I'm trying to create.

My uncomfortable feeling came about after I had written a report comment that was ill received. Despite believing that this comment was completely justified, I felt that the reaction did not match my message. I tried to unpack the comment with the individual to help portray the message in the correct light, but still I was met with a conflicting perspective.

I felt overwhelmed with the can of worms I had opened and just wanted to shut the lid again, delete the comment and move on.

My community leader also believed that the comment was justified and clear, and reminded me of this particular professional learning goal I have been working on. She explained that I was feeling horrible because I was on the edge of my Zone of Proximal Development, which meant that I was actually progressing.

By being reflective and knowing how I am and how I want to be (and how this feels), I can keep moving forward towards this goal...but it would be easier if I could just take some 'sensing' 'thinking' and 'assertive' pills.

#TeachingasInquiry #Personalgoals