3 Effective Strategies to Launch Your Career as a School Leader

When embarking on our leadership roles in schools, we often focus on our own abilities and performance, pondering questions such as: How can I enhance my skill set? What does it take to become an effective leader? How can I deliver outstanding outcomes?

Prior to assuming a leadership position in a school, my background comprised a decade of teaching English. As an assistant principal, I couldn’t help but draw comparisons to my initial year of teaching, which blended excitement, adrenaline, apprehension, joy, and overwhelm. Two years into this role, reflecting on challenges and growth areas, I have three key takeaways to share with new and emerging school leaders.

1. Engage in Inquisitive Dialogue with All Stakeholders

There’s a misconception that leaders must possess all the answers. Initially, I felt uneasy if I couldn’t provide an immediate solution to a query. However, I’ve realized that effective leadership revolves around asking the right questions. Effective leaders listen attentively and pose questions that shape individuals’ perspectives, guiding the organization towards its goals.

For instance, imagine a group of teachers expressing dissatisfaction with the current approach to addressing student failures or missed assignments. Instead of offering a quick fix, consider probing deeper: What existing systems are in place within the grade team? Has this issue arisen in the department team? How could a peer support system benefit the classroom? Have alternative assessment methods been explored? How could the guidance team offer assistance? What additional strategies for parental involvement can be pursued?

Such shifts cultivate a culture of empowerment. Embrace the vulnerability of not having all the answers but encouraging brainstorming sessions, fostering staff ownership, and nurturing collaboration.

2. Understand and Utilize Employee Motivations

Jean Piaget and Lev Vygotsky espoused differing views on motivation. While Piaget emphasized intrinsic motivations, Vygotsky highlighted extrinsic factors. Just as students require motivation, so do staff members. It’s crucial for leaders to comprehend individual staff strengths, passions, growth areas, and motivators. Tailor incentives based on what motivates each person, whether it’s overtime pay, recognition, esteem, or personalized coaching.

According to Dale Carnegie, unlocking human potential involves recognizing and fulfilling the universal desire for importance. Identify what makes each staff member feel valued, as motivation propels an organization towards continuous growth.

3. Establish Effective Follow-Up Processes

A system’s success hinges not only on its setup but also on consistent follow-up actions. School leadership demands meticulous examination of logistics—how, what, where, when, and why. Regular and strategic assessments of implemented systems are essential to ensure their efficacy. Whether tracking teacher development, intervention schedules, or guidance measures’ impact, dedicated follow-up time in your calendar is a must.

Prioritize devising an action plan that includes personnel, timeline, resources, and success benchmarks, followed by routine assessments. Regular meetings with key team members ensure accountability and enable structured progress tracking.

Diligently document discussions and actions during meetings to establish a tangible trail of progress. Adopting systematic note-taking and documentation practices allows for continuous assessment and improvement.

Fostering Personal and Organizational Growth

Navigating leadership roles presents ongoing challenges, prompting a reevaluation of skills and principles. Reflect on the questions you ask, understand employee motivations, and commit to thorough follow-up practices. Cultivating these competencies lays a solid foundation for your success and that of your team.