One day two grand-children of one of my staff members walked into my office.  The beloved grandmother introduced me as the principal of the building, and the two seven year olds screamed out, "No, she's not!"  They were emphatic that their grandmother was wrong.  After telling them with a smile, that I am indeed the principal, it took time for them to process that information.  They stared with a bewildered look on their faces.

-

Being the curious being that I am, I asked, "Whom did you expect the principal to look like?"  They responded ,"No offense, but not you...I don't know...Different. You're young, nice, stylish, a woman... you know...hmm..." The young girl told me if I were really the principal, I should show her and her brother my office.  So, I invited both of them to see it.  They were amazed that I had my own bathroom and conference room.  The young seven year old girl looked at me and said, "So, you have the power, huh?"  Without a verbal response, I smiled at her.

-

Without judging their expectations or cognitive dissonance, I welcomed their perceptions because I knew once I connected with them, their misconceptions of who is "supposed"  to be in that role would be shattered.  I told them that I expected them to be a leader one day.  They smiled and responded almost in unison , "Wow! You're really the principal!"

When I first started leading my school, I had adults who had similar reactions.  They recited my curriculum vitae, knew the principal was an experienced educational leader who graduated from an Ivy league, and then asked me to reveal the real person who they'd read or heard about.  One time, a parent told my secretary she made a mistake in calling me to meet with her because she was actually looking for the principal of the school.  My secretary assured her that she was indeed introduced to the real principal.

-

I need to know who I am, be sure of who I am and who I present myself to be, so as not to internalize others' misconceptions of the position I hold.  I am who I am.  I love to support and guide others.  I am committed to Personal Development and teaching others how to grow their desire into a reality.  

-

I also happen to absolutely enjoy fashion because it is my artistic expression of love for myself and the world.  That's one fun way I add beauty and value to the very limited, shared days on this earth!  I use color & style to balance power & sophistication, classic & appealing, strong and feminine, charismatic & credible! A person's attire is sometimes the non-stated factor that adds or retracts from his or her executive presence and public persona.

-

That special brand, flair, personality that only YOU have connects others to you and inspire them to be like you and follow you! So, be daring, creative, & let your imagination run wild!  I am who I am.  You are who you are. Together we create this beautiful, mosaic world!