Here in Aotearoa, New Zealand, it is the end of Term One, and we are on our Easter holiday break. Term One has been long. Not just because it was an eleven-week term, but because it coincided with the Omicron outbreak. Week three felt like week thirty and the end of term could not come fast enough. Term one also marked two years of dealing with constant disruptions from the global pandemic (or as I like to call it, the ‘panddamit’).
Like other jurisdictions across the world, it has been a constant exercise in leadership agility and adaptability. It hasn’t been easy, and most times, it most certainly has not been fun. In Tamaki Makaurau (Auckland) my colleagues and I have dealt with the majority of the heavy lifting – we have had the longest lockdowns, restrictions and until recently, the majority of cases. I am in awe of the incredible mahi (work) our leaders have done, not only here in our largest city, but across the country and globally. Principals across the world have had to reinvent educational leadership and manage constant change in ways we could never have imagined.
I reiterate, it hasn’t been easy. The load from carrying all this additional responsibility has, at times, been excruciatingly heavy. For me, it has been about Resilient leadership – the ability to bounce forward from setbacks, manage my own wellbeing, refill our energy tanks and cope with the constant changes with agility and flexibility. More about this another day – for this post, I wanted to share one of my ‘resilience strategies’ – the use of music.
Music is one way I can express the emotions of the day, and it is usually in my car, on my commute home. Loud (very loud), probably a little obnoxious to those who are inadvertently subjected to it when I am waiting for the lights to change, and if you live in my house, you can probably get a feel for my day as I drive up the driveway. To clarify, it’s not every day. But, on those days where the load I have carried is threatening to break my shoulders, then most certainly, on those days.
The following groupings of songs are in my current ‘leadership playlist’ go-to songs. They each play a role. Some are like soothing balms, some are a way to release anger, and some are just because they make me happy.
1. abcdefu – GAYLE
This is my ‘I am over people today’ song. I confess the version on my playlist is not the edited one, and if you hear me playing this in my car super loud, and singing along with a ferocity that might surprise you, it means someone (or several someones) has meant my day has been – well let’s just say, less than kind. A global pandemic does not always bring out the best in people. A principal is an easy ‘punching bag’ for some people who are mad at the world. I understand. As a colleague of mine would say, we are ‘civil servants’ charged with following the rules, mandates and guidelines set out by the Government and the health orders. In short, we are just doing our jobs. Not everyone in our communities will agree with those, and some will do all they can to challenge you on them, and sometimes it’s not pleasant. So, we suck it up, and we politely do our best to diffuse tensions. I find listening to and singing along to this song as loudly as my ears will bear it, helps me release the tensions caused by such ‘fun’ interactions. It is surprisingly cathartic.
2. Headlights – Alck & Alan Walker
This piece of music is not about the lyrics but about the beat. Listen to it loud, and let the sound of the backbeat and the rhythm wash over you. For me, there is something about the combination in this piece of music that helps reset my mood. I feel instantly more energetic and it works equally as well at the start or the end of the day. If I am feeling down, or a little anxious, listening to this seems to bring my own natural rhythm into a more balanced and equalised position.
3. Dumb Love – Mimi Webb
This is similar to Headlights, in that the combination of all the musicality factors makes it a perfect song for me to soothe the soul. The key difference is this one is about its ‘chill’ factor. When I listen to it, I feel a lifting of some of the weight on my shoulders, a slowing down and I can physically feel a relaxing of the tension.
4. 100 Bad Days – AJR
You know how there are some songs that instantly resonate with you? This is one of those songs. The first time I heard it, it was instantly relatable. The positive, feel great vibes make me happy and remind me that those bad days we have are temporary. Tomorrow is a new day, and one day, you will look back on the ‘bad day’ and it will be the story that might just be the survival guide for someone else. Those bad days are indeed a blessing in disguise sometimes – they help us to appreciate the great days, and they teach us that our resiliency comes from overcoming challenges. Every time I play this song I smile and remind myself that ‘actually girl, you’ve got this’. I guess you could say that I would consider this a ‘musical cheerleader’.
5. Ain’t Gonna Drown – Elle King
This song is on my playlist for two reasons – the lyrics and the chilled out vibe. I like to listen to this loud, and I like to sing along with all the fervour of a frustrated rock chick. When I say the last two years have been tough, I mean it. This song reminds me that although they have been some of the most relentless years of my decades of leadership to date, I too am tough and I ‘ain’t gonna drown’. This too, shall pass. Besides, who can go past a bluesy rock chick?
6. Fallin’ (Adrenaline) – Why Don’t We
Turn this up loud and let the music and the pounding of the drums take you on a journey to toe-tapping stress release. Release your inner drum player! If you have a halfway decent sound system in your car, then this song will reverberate around the cabin. I doubt the stress in your body will remain if you bombard it with this song!
7. Whiskey To My Soul – Roan Ash
Alright, confession time. I am a closet country fan. It is in my roots and as I get older, I find myself embracing this more often. Not all country (not the old-time drawn-out, bore you to death country ballads) – but Country Rock is one of my favourite music genres. It is impossible to feel bad when you are singing along to a chilled piece of country-rock. This one is laid back, toe-tapping, and an easy, relaxed singalong number. What can I say – it is a perfect ‘end of the day’ song, and works as equally well when you’re driving or if you are sitting on your deck with a glass of your favourite adult ‘lemonade’!
8. Queens Don’t – RaeLynn
Whilst we are sharing some country rock, I can’t, not share this song. This one is for all my female colleagues. You know who you are – you are all an inspiration and I am who I am because of you. Your wisdom, your mahi, and your support have been invaluable. When I listen to this song, I am reminded of the women who have lifted up, not torn down, and who lead with such determination and grit. The words say it all – ‘Queens don’t break, they just get stronger, There ain’t nothing they can’t conquer’.
9. Ice Ice Baby – Vanilla Ice
Time to go old-school 90s, because you can’t have a leadership playlist without at least one classic. As far as I am concerned this is still a cool piece of music. I see some of you raising an eyebrow, ready to disagree, but there’s no argument here. It was cool when I was training ‘back in the day’ and still cool now. When I hear this song I find it impossible to not rap along, and it always lifts my mood. And, because it is like a musical mood lifter, it deserves a place on this list.
10. Pepeha – Six60
We can not have a leadership playlist written by a kiwi (New Zealander) without a piece of kiwi music. This song was published last year, in the middle of the pandemic and from the first listening, I was hooked. It makes me happy, sad, proud, and always evokes in me a visceral response. It is so quintessentially kiwi. When I hear it, I instantly sing-along, and I feel a sense of belonging. If I am in my car, I hit repeat several times so I can replay, and re-sing and I feel at peace. In essence, it is a balm for the soul.
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I have many songs on my leadership playlist, so this posting is just a ten-song taster. Just compiling them and writing this post has been a chance to do something that brings me joy – music and writing. It is a timely reminder that I need to make some more headspace and time for my blog. (adds to the list)
What songs clear the cobwebs and lift your mood? What are your go-to songs? How does music add to your leadership resilience?
Finally, I leave you with this one simple message. Educational leadership is a mix of days – some are fabulous and some are not so. How we ride through those not so fabulous days, which in recent times have come thick and fast, depends on how elastic our resilience is. What are you doing to strengthen yours? The stronger it is, the more appreciative we are of the fabulous days. Resiliency is a bedrock to hope, and hope is what brings us back each day.
Remember – you’ve got this!