New on video shelves is a Jim Carrey movie, Yes Man. This is one of Mr. Carrey’s more serious roles, although it certainly has its lighter moments. At the start of the flick, Carrey plays a loner who is depressed and indifferent to the feelings of others. Later on, he attends a seminar in which the management or psychological guru at the workshop tells everyone that they can solve all of their personal and professional problems by just saying, “Yes” to everything.
So, that is what Carrey proceeds to do. Whenever he says, “Yes,” good things happen. He gets the cute girl; his boss promotes him, etc. Whenever he says “No,” bad things happen. He falls down, sometimes literally, or some other calamity occurs.
Kind of sounds like being a school business manager these days doesn’t it! During good economic times, remember those back in the 1990's, we are able to say, “Yes.” Yes, we have enough money to reduce class size, give the teachers a pay raise, maybe buy that new textbook adoption or those brand spanking new school buses to replace the clunkers in the fleet. During those times, our jobs seemed to be relatively easy. It feels good to be building programs, instead of tearing them down. Doesn’t it!
On the other hand, for many of us for most of this decade, we have been forced to, “live within our means,” to be the bearer of bad news, the “No” men and women. No, we don’t have the money to do that. No, there is not enough cash in the bank to pay that bill. No. No. No.
How many ways can you say “No” and not sound like a broken record? “No” sounds like you are constantly talking to a two year old. And you know what? Like Jim Carrey at the beginning of the movie Yes Man, if our educator colleagues all perceive that we business officials are “No” people, then I would guess we are not very popular people within our district.
If on the other hand, we are perceived as truthful, realists who are compassionate human beings, who are problem solvers, who bring solutions to the table, not just problems, then I would guess our colleagues would think of us differently.
At the annual MSBO conference, there are dozens of breakout sessions that are available to assist you in being a problem solver, a solution provider, and a leader within your district. Take the time to renew yourself at the conference and to remember what our business is all about: doing good things (education) for kids, even if we don’t have all of the resources for “Yes.”
You may or may not want to become like Jim Carrey and become a “Yes Man.” Yes men may be popular, but they also run out of money pretty soon and that causes other problems. So, maybe being the best darn school business official and a compassionate, caring, and professional human being is your best bet. And on that note:
“Don't surround yourself with yourself,
Move on back two squares,
Send an instant karma to me,
Initial it with loving care yourself....”
- Yes