How do I avoid defending a management decision I don't agree with?

Question

I disagree with my supervisor's decision. I teach music at a public school in the US, and the principal has decided to ban all holiday-related music from our performances. He has claimed his decision is "from an equity standpoint," and was influenced by one family choosing not to attend the performance because their religious views bar them from singing holiday music. Note that the family did not make a complaint to the principal. He just didn't like that they opted out.

This will mean that several beloved traditions will cease to exist, and I expect it will anger quite a few families. I respectfully made my disagreement known, am on good terms with the family in question, and offered alternatives to cancelling holiday music.

I was overruled. I do not wish to become the public face of this decision. I think making it clear that I dissented would solve that. However, I recognize that telling the children or families "go talk to Mr. So-And-So, it was his idea." would be unprofessional.

What is the best way to make sure the families know that I didn't cancel the Christmas and Chanukah songs without obviously throwing my administrator under the bus?

Note: this is NOT about who is right, just about how to avoid needing to defend a decision with which I disagree.

Answer 1

What is the best way to make sure the families know that I didn't cancel the Christmas and Chanukah songs without obviously throwing my administrator under the bus?

Indicating, verbally to students or via email to parents, that the decision was made by your administrator is NOT throwing your administrator under the bus. It is simply stating the facts.

...how to avoid needing to defend a decision with which I disagree.

You do not need to defend the decision at all. Simply state the facts and refrain from any discussion and/or expressing your opinion(s) about the matter.

Response to Comments

There seems to be a lot of discussion and disagreement on this answer, to clarify my answer a bit I've added a response.

First off I believe that there is a great deal of overthinking on this question and my answer. The answer is brief and to the point, exactly as I would envision the OP communications to students and parents. The communications don't need to be anything more than:

Due to direction from the administration, there will be no holiday music performed during the concert this season.

The OP shouldn't make any statement that implies disagreement or disapproval of the decision at all; the statement should be entirely neutral.

Answer 2

Your supervisor made that decision in effect, on behalf of the school as a whole. The school provides teaching, and the school has decided to change the content of some lessons.

That's your first thing. It's not "John decided it, not me!". It's "The school has decided that this year.....". Depersonalising it.

The second thing is a standard media/marketing thing. Focus on the positive, not the negative. What's good instead, not what's lost. What the aim is, from the school's perspective. Again, you can do that without personally endorsing the loss.

"I love those too. They're traditional, they add a lot. But the school wants to try something new this year, and has decided that instead of traditional holiday songs, which can exclude some people, to explore other approaches that kids elsewhere have enjoyed too, and see how those work. I'm sure they'd value any feedback you wanted to give."

That way, you aren't endorsing the decision, which goes against your beliefs. You're being honest about your beliefs. But you are explaining its a school decision, and what its aim is, from the schools position, which is fair and reasonable to convey as well, otherwise they only have part of the picture.

The last part is a bit of fun. If they don't like it.... they need to tell the school. Disguised as a perfectly valid suggestion to give feedback whatever they think. And, you know, if they do enjoy it, or others do, maybe the feedback will be good for you as well.

Answer 3

Perhaps an apology and a deflection. When they ask why you aren't doing a specific song or type of song,

I am sorry that we aren't doing the song you want, but my bosses made the decision to skip those songs this year. I think they are good songs, and I know you enjoy them, but I was told to try something else this year. Just like I am in charge of the classroom, I have people in charge of me too, and I need to obey them. So, instead we're going to do some new and fun songs that I think you are going to like a lot too.

You are saying that it wasn't your decision, and at the same time pointing out that we all have people in authority over us, and that obeying is a good lesson to learn.

If they won't let it go, and it really isn't a decision that you want to defend, then letting them know they can tell the school principal that they want certain songs is not really throwing anyone under the bus - people are always free to complain to the head of the school.

Why don't you let Mr. Principal know that you also want to sing the Dreidel Song, but do that later. Right now we are going to practice this new song about dancing trees.

Answer 4

Memorialize the conversation you had with your administrator. Send your principal an email (and keep a copy at home for your own personal records).

In that email, ask the principal what you should tell the kids and the parents when they inevitably ask you who made this decision and why. Then follow the guidance of your principal (as long as he doesn't ask you take the blame for it).

If your school/school district has a general counsel/PR person, I would carbon copy those two offices as well.

Answer 5

"go talk to Mr. So-And-So, it was his idea." would be unprofessional.

What is not professional here? The principal made a decision and therefore is the one to refer to when there are questions or concerns about the decision.

We are professionals and we are human beings with convictions. These two concepts are sometimes contradictory and you can support your employer only to some point.

There can be some positions that you do not adhere to, not enough contradictory for you to quit but then you professionally defer the requestor to the proper authority in the school.

Answer 6

Just tell the truth. The other answers seem to suggest that the Administrator has made an embarrassing error and that you should try and protect him from any publicity.

On the contrary! He has clearly made a decision that might have been difficult but accords strongly with his belief in the notion of 'equity'. No doubt he is expecting praise for his courageous moral stance. In this case, you should make it plain to anyone who asks that it was his decision alone and that any further discussions should be undertaken with him.

Answer 7

You are the music teacher. Presumably you picked the songs to sing. I'm guessing you picked songs that have a connection to you and your culture, since you refer to them as part of a "beloved tradition."

One of the most beloved traditions in America is the separation of church and state. This kind of decision seems to be above the pay grade of a music teacher, unless this school is in a truly cosmopolitain and enlightened district, the likes of which I sadly have not heard of in recent memory.

I've linked some guidelines I found that apply to government schools selectively endorsing religious services.

Perhaps these might inform your decision to subvert the decision of your principal. I say "subvert" because you are free to openly protest, but apparently do not wish to face censure, unlike the family who did protest, who is facing censure from... well from you.

I would reconsider this stance, but if you were determined, a constitutional challenge is the correct remedy, instead of quietly expressing your potential acquiescence to some of the not so beloved traditions used to compel compliance to the desires of the mob. Having been subjected to these methods, I personally found them ethically dubious. Not the sort of thing I would want associated with me professionally. At all, in fact. When you express these opinions, and then the kids start showing up with black eyes and split lips, what then? Hmm?

So, in summary, to avoid defending this decision simply make yourself available outside of school hours, rent yourself the basement of a church or synagogue, I see you won't need to do the same for Ramadan, I guess that's not such a beloved tradition, and those who wish to congregate in this fashion can do so. I'm sure this won't be a problem for anybody. The traditions are "beloved," right?

Or, is it the imposition of such traditions that are beloved? Maybe that's why ... anyway that is your solution. Quote separation of church and state, to those who disagree, and sing religious songs at the tax-free locations provided. Everybody wins!

Answer 8

Is there a School Board of Directors? If so, this decision should be made by them, not the principal. In that case, bring it to their attention, and let them run with the problem. If the decision is to ban holiday songs, then you can say that it was a decision from the Board of Directors; you're not dropping any one person into it.