Monday, June 17, 2013

Pulse Check: Are you one of these characters!!

This summer I have the opportunity to work with my Zone Superintendent. I am so fortunate to have this experience because there are veteran educators who are not privy to such an experience. With this experience comes a lot of professional development and some self reflection. All throughout the summer you can expect post from the ArchiFord highlighting some of the insight I gain.

Today marked the start of my summer job. A lot of the speakers today presented on teachers leading the classroom with TLC (thinking, learning, and communicating). Another point mentioned was the idea of  the top 20% of leaders (teachers for this matter) are leaders because they choose to remain above the line and not go below the line. Being above the line basically means that the thinking that is taking place is serving us with our best interest. Being below the line could mean making decisions without thinking or without thoroughly thinking through the consequences. A person who lives below the line can often times be viewed as a negative person. People who live below the line can cause serious problems to the morale of a school and to the overall success of the teachers and students in the classroom.

Although this conference was for individuals in the education field, some of the things it made me think about can be applied to any profession or any interaction while working in groups. I will now highlight some of the personality types that people should be on the lookout for when entering a job environment  or any environment for that matter.

Ask yourself? Do I fit into any of these categories?


  • Aggravating Aly- This is a person who is aggravating, annoying, and irritating, all at the SAME damn time. These individuals are very worrisome and share the most minute details about their boring life, they agonize over the smallest decisions, and are just like a little heel nipper dog that keeps running behind you, and that you just want to kick sometimes.
  • Belligerent Brenda- Brenda's are normally in denial and do not feel that they are belligerent. Brenda's describe themselves as being REAL. Brenda's are indeed real, but are instead REAL RUDE. These people often times do not know how to turn it on and off. We all know that there is a time and place very everything. And Brenda's struggle knowing when and where certain acts or conversations should occur. They can sometimes be viewed as being an angry, ignorant person.
  • Complaining Carly- These are those people who complain over any and EVERY thing. You could tell them its pay day and they would say "oh well, I am going to be broke anyway from paying bills." I often times tell people to stop complaining because no one is listening. If you do not like the way things are going, then do something about it. Simply sitting back and complaining is not going to change a thing. All it will do is annoy those around you, so just STOP!
  • Debbie Downer- This chock named debbie is a depressive dirtbag. That sounds a bit harsh, but you get the point. Debbie downers exhibit an incessant desire to bring down the collective mood of any group. They indeed are known to kill your vibe.   
  • Fake Franky- Frank is a very conniving person who says one thing in person and another thing behind your back. This person could be viewed smiling in your face and as soon as you turn around the daggers are being thrown at you. Not everyone has your best interest at heart. 
  • Gullible Gaby- These fools are like guppies. Just suck up everything. Like a hoover vacuum. These type of people will believe ANY and EVERY thing that you say. You could tell them that Santa Clause was having an affair with Sweet Brown and they will believe you (And we all know that aint no one got no time for that).   
  • Negative Nancy- Nancy is BFFs with Carly. Nancy is someone who constantly whines, complains, and always looks at the bad side of things or situations. There is no room within the education field for Nancy. Nancy is extremely pessimistic, and always has something negative to say. You could tell Nancy that the weather is nice outside, and her response would be "being in the sun is going to give you skin cancer." No matter the credibility of the comment they are always right. 
  • Pissy Peggy- These individuals act like people piss in their corn flakes on the daily. These individuals are mad at the world and think that everyone is out to get them. Avoid pissy peggys! If you cannot avoid them, then offer them some diapers to contain all their piss.  
  • Ratchet Ruby- Ratchet Ruby describes a person who lacks class and tact. Ratchet and ruby can be viewed as an oxymoron. This person wants others to believe that they are one way, but in actuality they are another way. Ratchet Ruby's try to put on for the people! Ruby's can be seen as promiscuous people who crave attention.
  • Shady Sally- Its must be real shady over here because Sally was not only selling sea shells by the sea shore. Sally was also delivering some shade and dirt. Sally is someone who thinks their slick, and constantly tries to insult the intelligence of others with lies and deceit or sometimes the God honest truth. You better check your email because Sally will be sure to show her Shady bootz. 
  • Toxic Tammy- Tammy is a person who imparts a bad influence on others. These people almost always have something to say, and they want others to think just like them. Tammy is poisonous and very contagious. Think of her like Swine flu. You can contract her if you are not careful. Toxic Tammy's are known to belittle others to make themselves feel better.
So before I asked you to Ask yourself, Do I fit into any of these categories? I hope you do not fit in these categories, but if you do its time to change your mindsets. Because your mindsets control your actions and your actions control your beliefs which in turn dictates what type of experience those around you have. Please be mindful of this. 

If you read these categories and realized that they actually do not describe you, but someone you know or work with, then you need to check them, and put them in their rightful place. We do not need to keep negative people around. Birds of a feather flock together. So if you have a weak link in your circle, its time to let them fly away.