Power Station

(Note: I have decided that from here on, the titles of my posts will all be 80s references. Just 'cause it's fun.)

Perception of power is such a fun thing to observe! When a person believes they have some level of power over the people around them, and every part of their being (words, actions, etc.) nods towards that perception, they tend to do and say things that can really be quite funny (as long as they don't directly impact you). For instance, recently I observed a co-worker taking notes in a staff meeting. This person was clearly noting who was arriving to the meeting late, and when they arrived. Now I realize that it is entirely possible that our "boss" (who was not present) asked this individual to do this. However, as a colleague of those in the room, why would you do this? Why wouldn't you just say everyone was there on time? Perception of power. This particular individual is one of those who tend to kiss up to the administration. They also, in group situations, try to run the show, with little regard to the wants/needs of others in the group. Because others in the group either are not as invested in the discussion/task, or just want to avoid confrontation, the individual's perception of power is reinforced. So seemingly little, insignificant events, over time, build up this individual's perception, and they begin to believe that they have a responsibility to the "boss" to report those who break the rules, at least in their eyes. Never mind the fact that these same people are also rule-breakers of their own accord. But they often see their actions as a "greater good," and explain them away as such. This particular individual has gotten so good at this that their actions are now being reinforced by administration, so they believe that the rules they break, the very same rules they are holding everyone else to, don't really apply to them anyway.

Before I took all my coursework towards becoming a principal, I never noticed this crap. Sometimes ignorance really is bliss.