Teaching is one of the most fundamental professions in our society and it always has been. However, while a teacher is responsible for their students, school leaders are responsible for keeping the school system running smoothly.
As a school leader, you have to make important decisions, address the concerns of the staff, and handle any problems that arise. Though your staff is undoubtedly made up of responsible adults, they look to you when they need help.
As such, you need to become a leader capable of rising to the challenge. You’ve been put into this position for a reason, you have the skills necessary to lead. But how can you become a more effective school leader?
Keep reading for our top suggestions.
Set Clear, Attainable Goals
A good school leader knows how to set goals, both for themselves and for their staff. You need to give your team clear, concise goals to aim for each week, month, quarter, and year. Just as importantly, you need to provide them with the necessary strategies to attain these goals.
Make Open Communication a Top Priority
Effective school leadership thrives on a high standard of communication. Be approachable, your staff must feel comfortable coming to you with questions, ideas, problems, etc.
When you have staff meetings, open the floor for discussion and invite every member of your team to speak up.
Lead by Example
Any good leader knows the importance of leading by example. You need to set the standard of what you expect of your staff. They need to be able to look at your work ethic, performance, and demeanor as a reference.
As a school leader, if your staff is performing better than you are, they’re not going to respect your authority or your leadership.
Further Your Education
One of the best ways to become a better school leader is by putting effort and energy into your leadership skills. While some of the fundamentals of leadership probably come naturally to you, you can always benefit from furthering your education. For example, take a look at the International School Leadership Certification Program.
Be a Good Listener
As we noted above, being a good school leader means being approachable. However, when your staff is talking to you, you must be actively and genuinely listening to what they have to say.
If they walk away from a meeting or conversation with you feeling like they weren’t heard, they’ll start to lose respect for your leadership. They’ll also be less likely to bring things up in the future.
Be Open to Suggestions
Finally, being an effective school leader means understanding that you don’t have all the answers. Yes, you’re in your position because you’re capable of leading and making good decisions. However, you can always benefit from other perspectives.
Be open to other people’s opinions and suggestions. When you hold staff meetings, you should have a section of time designated for brainstorming new ideas. You can even incorporate a suggestion box.
Do You Want to Be a Better School Leader?
If you want to improve your school leadership abilities, it’s going to take a concentrated effort. Being a school leader requires a steadfast desire to improve yourself and those around you.
For more guides and advice on self-improvement, check out some of our other articles before you go. Our blog covers everything from business and education to relationships and finance.
