Great Expectations

Today, I was placed into a situation in which I had to choose between my professional role and personal relationship with a co-worker. I ultimately chose to stand my ground as an educator and advocate and confront our administrator with information related to this particular person's behavior in the classroom.

Perhaps my expectations of others can be too high at times. It seems as though I find myself disappointed in others more and more. Are my ethical standards and personal expectations just too great? What has happened to work ethic and the meaning of your word? Once upon a time, a handshake represented a contract between two parties and you could trust when someone gave you their word it was for certain.

I am not a literal person. I understand that there can be hesitation in a voice or the tone of a voice may change based on the underlying meaning. I can't understand, however, why a person would believe it is acceptable to completely default on their word losing all respect from others and credibility.

In both the professional and social setting you should honor your word, do your job and realize that your actions can set off a chain reaction among those that you know. I refuse to accept anything less than these standards in the people with whom I choose to to invite into my life. I do not feel as though I have impossible criteria to match but I do feel as though someone should be honest, respectful and worth respect themselves. Do not leave others to clean up your mess. These expectations are unwavering.

Great expectations are what I strive to accomplish each and every day. I challenge you to demand the same of yourself and those with whom you have surrounded yourself.