Today, I'd like us to have a close look into a topic that's at the heart of what we do every day: leadership. As a school administrator, understanding the nuances of leadership in the school environment is very important. So, let's chat about what you need to know to lead your school effectively.
The Heart of Leadership: Building Relationships
At its core, leadership is about people. You can have the best strategic plan in the world, but if you don't connect with your staff, students, and community, it's not just going to work. I must say that I learnt this the hard way as a newbie school administrator. I will share the following few key points on building strong relationships:
Be approachable: Make sure your team feels comfortable coming to you with their concerns and ideas. An open-door policy can go a long way. if there are always afraid to come to you, then something is certainly not right
Show empathy: Understand that everyone has their own struggles and challenges. Showing genuine concern for their well-being builds trust and loyalty. Look, your staff or subordinates are hman beings. And they want to see the human part of you, too.
Communicate clearly: Keep everyone in the loop. Regular updates, transparent decision-making, and active listening are essential. I often say that you cannot be an administrator is you lack communication skills. What is administration wothout comunication bikonu? Excuse my Nigerian Ibo parlance! Bikonu means please.
Vision: The Guiding Star
Every great leader has a vision. This vision isn't just a fancy statement on your school's website; it's a clear picture of where you want your school to go. It should inspire and guide every decision you make. Sadly, as a consultant, I have visited schols where the administrator did not know the school's vision and mission. How do you lead people to where you do not know, please?
Here's how to create and share your vision:
Involve your team: Get input from teachers, staff, and even students. When everyone feels they have a stake in the vision, they're more likely to support it.
Be clear and concise: Your vision should be easy to understand and remember. Avoid jargon and keep it simple.
Live your vision: Lead by example. Show your commitment to the vision through your actions and decisions.
Decision-Making: Balancing Logic and Intuition
As a school leader, you'll face countless decisions every day. Some are straightforward, while others are complex and challenging. Balancing logic and intuition is key to effective decision-making. So, how can you navigate this? Let me share tips with you on how to do this.
Gather information: Make informed decisions by collecting relevant data and insights from your team.
Trust your gut: Sometimes, your instincts can guide you when the data isn't clear-cut. Don't ignore your intuition. On several occasions that I can recall, I have used intuition in taking decsions even in recruitments.
Be decisive: Once you've weighed your options, make a decision and stick to it. Indecision can be paralyzing for your team. The best leaders take decsions instead of dillydallying
Empowering Your Team: Trust and Support
Your teachers and support staff are your greatest assets. Empowering them means giving them the tools, trust, and support they need to succeed. Here's how you can do that:
Provide professional development: Invest in your team's growth by offering opportunities for learning and development.
Delegate effectively: Trust your team with responsibilities. This not only lightens your load but also helps them grow.
Recognize and celebrate: Acknowledge the hard work and achievements of your staff. A simple thank-you can go a long way.
Handling Challenges: Resilience and Adaptability
Let's face it, leading a school is not without its challenges. Sometimes, things just happen unexpectedly that affect or impact on the school neatiely. These may be issues that stem from economic decsions of your country's government, or internal issues.
Stay positive: Your attitude sets the tone for the entire school. Try to stay optimistic, even in tough times.
Be flexible: Adapt to changing circumstances. What worked last year might not work this year, and that's okay.
Seek support: Don’t be afraid to ask for help from your colleagues, mentors, or even professional counselors.
Creating a Positive School Culture
A positive school culture is the foundation of a successful school. It influences everything from student achievement to staff retention. Here's how to build and maintain a positive culture:
Foster inclusivity: Ensure everyone feels welcome and valued. Celebrate diversity and promote equity. There's no room for religious, ethic or racial discrimination in a leadership that works for the best of all.
Promote collaboration: Encourage teamwork among staff and students. Collaborative environments are more innovative and supportive. Dissuafe people from working in silos.
Celebrate successes: Take time to recognize and celebrate achievements, both big and small. It boosts morale and fosters a sense of community.
Leading Through Change: Embracing Innovation
Change is inevitable, especially in education. Leading through change means embracing innovation and guiding your school through transitions smoothly.
Here’s how to do this:
Stay informed: Keep up with the latest trends and research in education. Continuous learning is key to staying ahead.
Involve your team in change: When implementing new initiatives, involve your team in the planning and execution. Their buy-in is crucial.
Be patient: Change takes time. Be patient with your team and yourself as you navigate through new processes and systems.
Self-Care: Taking Care of the Leader
Lastly, let’s talk about you. Leading a school can be demanding (do I even need to tell you that?), and it's easy to burn out if you're not careful. Self-care is not a luxury; it's a necessity. Here are some tips to help you achieve self care:
Set boundaries: Learn to say no when needed and set limits to protect your personal time.
Take breaks: Regular breaks can rejuvenate your mind and body. Don't skip your vacation days! I recall a time I didn't have a break for two years in a row and how it took its toll on me at work.
Seek balance: Find a healthy work-life balance that allows you to recharge and stay energized.
As I wrap up, I would say that being a school leader is a journey filled with challenges and rewards.
Thank you for taking the time to read this blog. I hope you found these insights helpful and that they inspire you to reflect on your own leadership journey. Remember, you're not alone in this. Reach out to your peers, seek advice, and continue to grow as a leader. Your dedication makes a difference in the lives of so many, and for that, you are truly appreciated.
If you need a paid one-on-one coaching session with me, please schedule one at www.calendly.com/nancyekpezu.
Additional Resources
To further support you in your school administration journey, I have recommended some books.
1. The School Administrator's Companion by Nancy Ekpezu. I dedicated an entire chapter to talk about leadership. You can get this in the read-only ebook format from my Selar shop at https://selar.co/theschooladministratorscompanionreadonlyversion.
It is also available on Kindle Amazon at schooladministratoronamazon
2. The Principal: Three Keys to Maximizing Impact" by Michael Fullan
It is a great read on the key aspects of effective school leadership.
3. Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action by Simon Sinek
It will help you in understanding the importance of a clear vision and purpose. I have read his book, and I highly recommend it.
Seek out resources and opportunities for growth, so that you can stay inspired and effective in your role as a school leader. Keep pushing forward, and remember, the impact you have on your school community is profound. Your leadership matters and I celebrate you for the reat work you do already.
Watch this video I have made for you.
You should consider getting the ebook Dear Educator by Nancy Ekpezu on Amazon KIndle. Get it here.