The legend of the black dog is oddly consistent throughout several cultures. The story always revolves around a menacing figure that hunts the weak. This beast is always a threat to the group or individual. In European history, the black dog is often used as a symbol of a demon that preys on the weak. The image of the wolf or the feral dark dog is a perfect analogy of looming and often unknown danger. In a world without locking doors, cellphones, ADT, and countless other daily items that keep us secure, the threat of a mysterious predator was a very real thing. Never mistake it, the black dog is always out there waiting. As leaders, we must prepare to hunt the dog to protect our schools culture.
In triathlon, there are tales of the “black dog” also. Athletes talk about the looming of the dog at the end of the race season. The dog will sneak up after you have completed that big race you have planned all year to run or when the season is over. It comes after all the dopamine has flooded your brain, after every workout is dried up, and you are left alone with your thoughts. The black dog begins to nip at your heels as you worry about losing fitness or what race is next. He will consume you if you ignore him.
Every year at the end of my race season, I think about the black dog. I know I won’t see my tribe (see next week’s blog) of friends as much. I know that I will have to set new goals. It is overwhelming. It can seem like you are starting from square one. I have to be aware of it and push myself to move forward. I know this is part of the process of self-improvement. You always have to start again. The journey never ends.
Schools also have the same dark beast that will lurk around and can pick apart your culture. The dog looms in several areas and can hide, undetected, if you are unaware of it. The dog feeds in the car pick up line, the stands of a ball game, on unresolved personnel issues and countless other places. No matter the level of your school culture, the Black dog always looms. Negativity can always rear its head. Before you know it, the Black dog will consume your staff, students, and yourself. He is always hungry and very sneaky. When I arrived at my school, I had been told that there might be hard feelings and a few upset staff over changes the school had endured before my placement. That may have been the understatement of the decade. What I found was a group of teachers who had their trust violated and were seemingly at war with each other. Most of my staff were job scared and worried that I was out for blood. Everything seemed to be a fight. I felt like Sisyphus pushing the boulder up the hill with each minor change I made. I couldn’t maintain. All the ideas I had were put on extended hold to address the dog in the room. I stopped collaborating with teachers. I dreaded staff meetings. The black dog was beginning to consume me too.
This led to stagnated growth. I felt alone and unprepared for the task at hand. I knew the students and staff needed me to step up but the thought of the dog had taken a giant bite out of my confidence. All my studies and thoughts on leadership didn’t amount to squat. I was neck deep in the sand and sinking. How could I fix the problems? How could I fix myself? I was lost and went into survival mode for a long time. I dreaded each day for a while because I knew another problem was around the corner. I was miserable. The black dog had won.
Years ago, I spent most of my free time traveling around the region with American Indian singing groups. I spent countless hours and days at Powwows and cultural events. I learned much about the culture and how different tribes used versions of storytelling to teach their children. At that time, I never realized how influenced I would be by those simple stories. In preparation for the week’s blog, I kept going back to a story I had heard 20+ years ago. This simple Cherokee legend hits you right were you need it as a leader and athlete.
One evening, an old Cherokee Indian told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people. He said, ‘My son, the battle is between two ‘wolves’ inside us all. One is Evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.
The other is good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith.
The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather: ‘Which wolf wins?’
The old Cherokee simply replied, ‘The one you feed.’ (Cherokee Legend)
I realize now that this doesn’t have to be a permanent situation. The dog can be beaten but it takes time and resilience. We, as educators, have to focus on the good we do each day. It is easy to focus on the problems and troubles facing our school. Yes, we have to address the problems but not dwell on them. We have to promote joy and stability in our schools. We, as leaders, have to be the example and feed the good dog. Never ignore the black dog but feed the dog that brings joy, hope, and kindness.
I am feeding the dog of hope in my school now. I understand that every issue may not be the end of the world. I choose not to stress and project a positive attitude. It is amazing what happens to your students and staff when you tell them about the good things you are doing. Cutting a student a break when they mess up doesn’t mean you are weak. It means you’re compassionate. You are modeling a desired trait for that student and feeding the good dog. I am telling you, this is the biggest game changer in you school and life. Choose which dog you feed.
Every student and staff member notices your mood and actions. We set the tone for our schools culture. It is the same for teachers, who model behavior each day. Feed the joy! Feed the hope! I challenge you to become the light in your school. Become the Ryan’s All You Can Eat Buffet of positivity. This is how you change culture. You must lead by actions, not directives. You can’t promote a positive culture with a scowl on your face. If that’s your plan, don’t be surprised when everyone scowls back.
This past week, the school system had decided to dismiss early. For my fellow administrators, we understand the stress that entails. Every student needs to get lunch. Every student needs to be sure of how to get home. The staff are doing cartwheels down the hallway. I had gone into the last classroom to tell the music teacher the plan. She was teaching the students how to play the ukulele. Every student looked at me as I entered the door with the look of fear. Who was I looking for? Who was in trouble? I knew there was nothing else I could do for the next twenty minutes, so I sat and played along with them. The students’ faces changed from fear to joy. We jammed on our out of tune ukuleles. Everyone smiled as we played and sang. In the class was one of the biggest “problem” students in the school. He even smiled and played along.
Later that day, we were in lunch duty and trying our best to get every student a plate in a short time. I stood there fixing trays as that “troubled” boy got up and tended to a trash can that was full. No one asked. He saw a need and took it upon himself to help in a trying time. This became more than a full trash bag. He cared enough to be proactive and help. The GOOD dog had taken hold of him.
I have seen what the black dog does to schools. I have lived it as a teacher and as an administrator. I fear this being has hold over more schools than not. Not mine! Not ever again! I will forever feed the good dog and hunt the other. I will wear his pelt. Schools and school leaders must be a bastion of all that is good and be the light for our students. We will lead the charge. The black dog cannot hide. The black dog is no longer the hunter. He is now the hunted.
Next week- Endurance Leadership part VIII: Building Your Tribe!
I swear it will be funnier
Till then…
Stay Sharp
Dr.S