Revisiting Dumbledore

Albus Dumbledore is such a complex and amazing character which is why there are so many lessons we can learn from him. Most likely this won't be the last article you see about him. (Yep, I am just that obsessed.) In this article we'll focus on Dumbledore's ability to believe the best in his colleagues.

One of the big mysteries of the Harry Potter series is whether Severus Snape is good or bad; was he Dumbledore's man or was he loyal to He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named? Through the entire series the readers become increasingly uncertain of Professor Snape's allegiance. Dumbledore, however, never questions Snape's integrity.

As we've discussed in previous posts, validation is an essential part of human interactions. Dumbledore often expressed how important his colleagues were. He believed the best in them and made sure they knew how much he appreciated them. In return, they were loyal to him and would do anything he asked.

Dumbledore understood that students aren't the only ones who respond better to positive rather than to negative consequences. So how can we apply this important skill?

Substitute teaching can be a lonely job. Often we walk in and out of the school practically nameless. Often times we feel we were neglected and it was someone else's responsibility to make us feel welcome, but we need to remember Dumbledore and believe the best in our colleagues. Believe that had others realized you needed someone to say hi to you, they would have. Believe that the permanent teacher did the very best they could under the circumstances on the lesson plan they left. Believe that if the secretary was a little standoffish towards you, she might have been up all night with a sick child. Always be like Dumbledore and believe the best in people.

Since ours is the only behavior we can control, one thing we can do to increase communication with the staff at the school we are working in is to introduce ourselves to the teacher next door. When introducing yourself say, "Hello! My name is Jessica Smith, I will be substitute teaching for Mr. Merrill next door today. I just wanted to come say hello and let you know I think your room is warm and inviting. I like how you've hung up the student's artwork on the walls. It makes me want to join your class."

By believing the best in colleagues and expressing your confidence in them, they are more likely to be helpful for you later in the day if you need them. They might even invite you to eat lunch with them or, perhaps, more importantly call you the next time they need a substitute teacher.

Each of us hopes that our colleagues are seeing the best in us, just remember that Dumbledore's benefit-of-the-doubt technique works both ways!