Impact Involves Risk
“There is no impact without risk.” ~ Christina Meline
I want to begin by saying, I Googled the above quote because I was certain someone somewhere must have said it before I did. And I’m sure they did! But Google didn’t have a quote like this listed or claimed by anyone, so I’m claiming it as my own today! I was so confident someone else must have written or published it somewhere because I believe it to be so true. In life, there is no impact - no accomplishment, no positive change, no lasting influence - without some element of risk.
To be impactful, you must be willing to connect with people at a personal level. To do this authentically, it always requires vulnerability. When you listen to others and their experiences and choose to respond with empathy and compassion, this also invites risk. You are risking feeling uncomfortable, heartbroken, or confused. You may not be able to solve another’s question or difficult situation. When you sit with others in their struggle and respond with advocacy and action, this invites risk. What if someone else doesn’t understand why you’re speaking up? What if it goes against the “system” in which you work? What if it causes others to feel uncomfortable, reflecting on their own areas that may need to change and grow?
As I’ve worked with students, I’ve seen a pattern of what is most likely to be remembered by students. What is most likely to leave an impact. Often I hear that their favorite teacher made learning fun, interesting, and helped them understand it. Additionally, I almost always hear a student comment on how a teacher made them feel. “I felt like they got me.” “My teacher took time to listen to me.” “My teacher always laughed at my jokes!” “I just felt good in their classroom - like I belonged.”
Teacher, impact will always involve risk. That’s why it’s April and you’re tired and exhausted and no amount of caffeine is cutting it at this point! But please know, you are creating an incredible impact for your students in ways you may never know. Keep going. Keep loving. We are in this together.
