2002 was a year of change. A loaf of bread was 52p, a new teacher earned £15,000, the CRB was introduced, and Business Managers started to be recognised in schools. I always feel fortunate that I came to School Business Management in the same year.
I say “came”, probably a more descriptive word would be “fell”.
I had no clear plan. My youngest was 6 and I happened to notice an advert for a “Business Manager” at a rural secondary school. Full disclosure, it was the local school which I had attended for 7 years. The new Headteacher was looking to secure a Business and Enterprise specialism to support the local community. Having spent the previous 10 years in a small business, the subject was, and remains, close to my heart. The planets aligned and I was a good fit for the role, as it was perceived at the time.
What a lot has changed!
I sometimes wonder if I knew then what I know now would I have applied for the role in 2002? The answer is always a definite “YES!”. I have always loved my job – through all its ups and downs (and I recognise that I have been through some tough times), the cycles, the learning, the qualifications, the almost constant change…
Of course, I might have done some things differently, hindsight is a wonderful thing, but if I change anything about my career pathway I might not be where I am now. I admit, the jury in my head is still out on whether that would be a good or a bad thing, but it is what it is, I can’t change any step on the path, I can only learn from it.
So, as I embark on a new pathway now, I have been reflecting on what I have learned in my 22 years as an in-School Business Leader, reminding myself what is important and what I need to let go.
Use your voice.
Looking back, I can see points in my career when I have felt responsible for everything going wrong. I’m not sure why I do this? I never felt responsible for everything going right. There are times when I might have said “no” with more evidence and forcefulness, when I might have shouted “Look at this!” a bit more loudly, or when I might have been a tad more emotionally intelligent. The learning is to use the voice you are employed for, and make sure it’s heard.
Don’t be an island
The SBL network has, since its early days as NASBM (now ISBL), and the local informal clusters, been an incredible and supportive group of professionals. Join in on a local and national level, make sure they know who you are, be there for them, be professionally generous, and keep in touch. When you need them – they will be there for you.
Change happens
Sometimes change just happens. A new direction, new ideas, new people. Change isn’t bad…it’s just change. Embrace it, work with it, support it, or don’t. It’s up to you. If my 22 years have taught me nothing else, it’s that you shouldn’t try to fight change. It’ll happen with or without you. Change, for me, has bought about some amazing opportunities to work with new colleagues, and increased my enthusiasm and capacity to keep learning.
Look after you
I’ve not been great at this over the years. Because I am now able to recognise my body’s stress responses, I wonder why I never saw them at the tough times in my life? For me, the first response is that my head starts to itch. So, listen to your body and look after it, don’t just reach for a nit comb, and try to solve the problem with practicalities. Sleep, nutrition, exercise, family and a social life, are all important in making you an effective SBL. If you neglect them, you aren’t the best SBL you can be.
Enjoy every day
One of the sayings of my favourite comedy podcast is that we are all just filling our days until we die. Maybe it’s because I’m getting older, but I now plan to make the most of every moment of the time I have here. Whatever the role title, the Business Manager is a vital piece in the successful outcomes of our young people. Never underestimate your contribution and be proud of the part you play.
I don’t need to tell you that the life of an SBL is never going to be all sunshine and chocolate. It can be very challenging and there are inevitably dark days, but if it was easy, everyone would be doing it…and they are not, you are. Go you.
Emma
