I’m reading Howard Behar’s Book It’s Not About the Coffee (Howard was a senior executive at Starbucks who worked closely with Howard Schultz, founder, and whose focus was always the people and culture). I actually saw him speak at a conference a few years ago and his talk was titled, “It’s About the People” which fits my belief about a people-centric focus too.

Anyway, he talks about wearing one hat.

He writes:

“Wearing one hat is the epitome of personal leadership. It is the starting point – and end point – of the lifelong process of discovering who you are and what you stand for. You wear one hat when:

• You know what makes you feel most deeply alive.

• You feel good about yourself.

• You have no need for secrets or pretending or posturing.

• You can lead yourself and others from a place of clarity and integrity” (p. 11)

I loved this concept as it spoke to me like Simon Sinek’s Start With Why (which I wrote about in this blog post). I know my why (build leaders) but the one hat aspect made me reflect. I quickly came to realize my one hat is a teacher. I thought back over the years, and the times when I feel the most alive and excited involved teaching and empowering others.

I graduated with my Bachelor of Education in 1996 and taught in the traditional school system until 2006. I had worked really hard and earned both my permanent certificate and my permanent contract. When I left, I walked away from that permanent contract (which was a really hard thing to do since it took me many years to attain). I remember the reactions when I left teaching; people thought I was nuts. I actually remember one story (from a few years before I left) where I was talking to another teacher and we were discussing a report that had come out about attrition in teachers, and I mentioned that I didn’t think I would make it to 10 years teaching. He looked shocked and asked what I would do. I replied, that I wasn’t sure, but that I knew there would be something for someone with my experience. I am not sure I knew then how much of my heart was taken with teaching. I loved it, but I didn’t realize it truly drove me. I recall someone asking me a few years after I left if I missed teaching. My response has always been, I miss the thrill of a good lesson; of knowing that what I taught, and how I presented it, really got through and made an impact. I missed the relationships I built with the kids. I did not miss grading, politics, and many of the other challenges.

It’s been almost fifteen years since I left my teaching job with Edmonton Public Schools, however, during those fifteen years, I did not leave teaching, or rather, it did not leave me. What I think I knew way back when I was having that conversation with the teacher about what else I would do, is that there are a lot of ways to teach and empower without being in a classroom. I’m truly lucky that I’ve discovered these and have had many opportunities to teach.

Years ago, I’d be on the receiving end of the comment – what a waste it was for you to go to university as you just quit your job anyway. For a multitude of reasons, that statement makes me mad. Starting with, learning is never a waste. I have used the knowledge and skills from both my university education and my teaching experience in everything else I do. I’m a better parent and leader because of that knowledge and experience, and they have helped me plan and build a leadership program at CompuVision. I remember the thrill of a good lesson and I work to achieve that in the other training that I develop and deliver. I can’t find the right word (love doesn’t seem strong enough) but I love knowing that something I’ve taught has made an impact on someone; that they see things from a different perspective, or have a new idea or skill in their toolbox which they have used. In my heart, I am absolutely a teacher; that is my one hat. How I teach has changed, evolved and adapted to different situations, but my one hat has stayed the same.

I actually feel truly lucky that I’ve been able to teach in so many different ways, and that when I woke up that one morning when I was 17 with the epiphany that I wanted to be a teacher (after wanting to be a lawyer my whole life up to that point), that I truly found my calling. Others may take longer to realize their true purpose, and that’s fine too. But if you aren’t doing what fills your heart, take a big step back and reflect on what does and see what you can do to pivot and align yourself.