ambience, the school community has to see that school leaders take the
blame, apologize, and say, “I’m sorry.” They have to understand that this
is common courtesy and, in the end, prevents or solves a multitude of
problems.
In the school building the bottom line is simple: Whatever goes wrong,
for whatever reason, is the fault of the principal. Accept the blame. The
only possible downside to this principle is the negative effect it may have
on your ego. None of us wants to take the blame for others, and we all
want credit for the work we do. But, in yet another contradiction, giving
credit to others does not preclude your superiors giving credit to you.
When a department or school runs well and provides evidence of fine
student achievement, the principal or superintendent knows who is re-
sponsible and who deserves commendation.
It seems appropriate that we end this chapter with a short poem (with
apologies to Rudyard Kipling):
If you can take the blame for all that happens
When others point their fingers here and there;
If you can give credit to all around you,
While taking none without the slightest care;
If you can say “I’m sorry” to all parties
Defusing righteous anger everywhere,
Yours is the School and everything that’s in it,
And, you’ll be a school leader beyond compare!50 Chapter 4