Job Descriptions

I speak often of growing up in South Buffalo.  I write this on my mother’s birthday. I was blessed to be raised by such wonderful parents. They taught us the values of hard work, community, compassion, civic responsibility, family connections and doing what is right, regardless of the situation. My mother taught primary school in the City of Buffalo for ~30 years. Like many teachers, she was not transactional and she was not what I would call a “job description follower.”  Bringing in my old Legos so the kids could have something to play with at recess? On her own. Taking my lightly used but still really nice clothes in to provide kids who didn’t have much?  On her own. Teaching some of the children basic manners and basic life skills, beyond the classroom?  On her own. The lesson here for the public administrator - that “others duties as assigned” section of your job description? That’s the part where you are tested to show your empathy and whether you’re a good manager or a great leader. Show it.