Quality leadership is instrumental for a school. It paves the way for success and ensures sustainability in the long run. In a school setting, a leader must be versatile because they have to constantly deal with teachers, support staff, parents, and, most of all, students. Indeed, it is a tough job. But many administrators have mastered the art of effectively leading various subgroups.
So the burning question is what makes a good school leader? Well, the answer to this question could vary from person to person. However, there are several attributes that all school leaders share. If you aspire to take a leadership role in your school, make sure you stick to the following strategies:
1. Accept Responsibility
School leaders are bound to undergo highs and lows. When things do not go quite as planned, good leaders know how to deal with them. It suggests that they are adaptable and open to trying other approaches if their initial strategies do not work. Furthermore, because school leaders are at the top of the pyramid, they must accept responsibility when things go wrong.
2. Make Quick Decisions
It is not uncommon for a school, college, or other educational institution to get caught up in an emergency scenario. Thus, school administrators should make solid decisions in the shortest possible time. When the weather is bad, for example, you will have to determine on the spot whether or not to close the school.
While not everyone is born with this unique ability, you can consciously develop it by strengthening your academic background. For that, consider enrolling in an online Educational Administration Master of Science degree program from a well-reputed institution. Its program will enable you to engage in various activities that will enhance your decision-making.
3. Develop The Habit Of Listening
Regardless of their position, successful school leaders listen to everyone. They pay attention to their staff, colleagues, students, etc., as a way to effectively serve their department. Being a great listener creates a perception that you are genuinely interested in helping others. Also, it will assist you in making the best decision.
Do not worry if you have lackluster listening skills. We are listing a few tried-and-true tactics that will make up optimal listening:
Do not interrupt: Everyone thinks and speaks at a different pace. When you are in a leadership position, it is your responsibility to slow down for someone who has trouble expressing themselves. Avoid offering solutions when you listen to someone talk about an issue. Before presenting any suggestion, you should seek the speaker’s permission if you have genuinely come up with a wonderful idea.
Maintain positive body language: Smile, nod, or use other gestures to demonstrate that you are involved in the conversation. Do not fold your arms, as this may imply defensiveness, irritation, or a refusal to accept the statement. Additionally, avoid looking at your phone during the talk.
Listen with an open mind: Do not pass judgment or become critical during the conversation. This may make it harder for you to understand what is being said. Being judgmental reduces your effectiveness as a listener. Do not be a sentence-grabber; let the speaker finish what they are saying before drawing conclusions.
4. Empower Others
Successful school leaders know that there is no such thing as a one-man show; only teamwork does the dream work. As a result, they surround themselves with outstanding teachers and colleagues and take measures to empower them. For instance, as a VCE coordinator, it is your role to ensure your teachers have all understood how the ATAR works, VCE scaling as well as the ins and outs of subject selection. Only then can they effectively inform students and parents about career pathways and their options for future tertiary education.
People are more productive and give their best shot when they are satisfied and given opportunities for career advancement. But this is clearly not the case in most educational institutions. According to a credible study, only 33 percent of American teachers are actively engaged in their work. Great administrators carefully choose the best teachers and support their efforts and ambitions.
One way to empower teachers is to look into their strengths. Once you figure out their passions, you should assign projects to them that are a good fit for them.
5. Allocate Tasks To Suitable Individuals
There is a widespread misperception that a successful leader is always self-sufficient. Well, it cannot get any further from reality. Best school leaders understand when to outsource a task to another. In other words, they can precisely assess that other staff members are better prepared to accomplish particular tasks.
One of the best ways teachers can grow and develop in any leading international school is to empower students with a sense of responsibility. When you guide children like adults, they mature better and are able to learn more. This is why international schools are considered great not only for the students, but also for the teachers. Please visit website if you wish to become a part of a leading international school located in Singapore.
6. Promote Accountability
Encouraging everyone to focus on performance goals requires holding everyone accountable for those goals. As a leader, you have to set goals for your employees and teachers and assess how effectively they are met. Make sure you allocate appropriate incentives based on the outcomes. Here are some of the best ways you can reward your teachers and school staff:
Use social media: Never downplay the significance of shares, likes, and comments! Seeing those statistics climb and receiving positive feedback can make your team feel like a star.
Give them a handwritten note: It is a bit of old school but works like anything. Write a handwritten note to your teachers expressing your gratitude for their efforts. A true acknowledgment note may be hung on their wall for years.
Give them some time off: Many teachers work all day long without taking a break. So giving them a break for a few days will not only make them feel appreciated but also ensure they return to the professional setting with more energy.
7. Involve Your Teachers In Purchase Decisions
Teachers who have a say in selecting new tools have a greater sense of ownership over those things and are more likely to use them effectively. Before committing grant funds to equipment, find out what instructors want most for their classrooms. Allow teachers to share their ideas on how to spend the budget rather than simply buying the same tools for everyone regardless of necessity. For example, if your PE teachers are asking for new sports hall flooring, you should get some flooring installation quotes from local businesses to determine how much it would cost. Obviously, a good floor is vital in a sports hall, so you should listen to your teachers if they say it needs replacing!
Final Words
Educational leaders significantly impact their schools’ environment, culture, and reputation. They serve as the foundation for learning networks to function and grow. With strong leadership, schools can become efficient incubators of learning, places where children are instructed and challenged. If you want to become a school leader but do not know where to start, you should walk the tight line of the above-listed qualities.