Exit Strategy: There's a Reason the Windshield is Bigger than the Rearview Mirror

What is an exit strategy?  Why is having an exit strategy so important?  An exit strategy is a means of leaving one's current situation, either after a predetermined objective has been achieved, or as a strategy to mitigate failure.  An organization or individual without an exit strategy may be in a quagmire. At worst, an exit strategy will save face; at best, an exit strategy will deliver an objective worth more than the cost of continuing the execution of a previous plan considered "deemed to fail" by weight of the present situation.  Exit strategies are associated with warfare, business, and public policy. 

 

Unfortunately, many parts of the administrative side of the field of education has very little to do with helping children.  Unfortunately, political agendas and the politics required to appease boards or governing bodies will sometimes win out over what might actually be in students’ best interests.  Unfortunately, this side of education can be very business-like and cold-hearted…..very different than the heart of a true educator.  Unfortunately, we aren’t always able to look out for our own or those we recruit to be on our team as much as we would like to without putting ourselves in harms way without being terminal to our careers or cause unrecoverable damage to relationships with our bosses.

 Several years ago, I worked for a Superintendent that talked with school and district leadership about the concept of an exit strategy.  He was a former military officer and took great pride in training leadership.  At the time, I had just started in administration and was a little confused about why he’d talk with us about an exit strategy.  A friend of mine was in the same professional learning and growth session and spoke with me about it afterwards but under the framework of coaching.  Very few coaches go an entire career without being fired, being forced to leave, resigning, or having a situation where exiting was the best possible strategy.  Even the top coaches, the most elite, often leave under duress or against what they truly would like to see happen.  But this is part of life, the sooner you can transition to moving forward and getting to work moving forward the better off you’ll be sooner. 

 

Sometimes an exit strategy can be a huge door opened to opportunities for growth and advancement.  While it is tough to leave a staff and people you care about, change can be beneficial for everyone.  The best way to reduce the stress of potential change is to start working towards the solution or getting to work making a difference for an organization that needs your help and wants you to help them improve.  Once the exit strategy is put into place, it’s important to remember there’s a reason the windshield is so much larger than the rearview mirror.  Get to work and make a difference where you are wanted and needed!