The Key Roles of Leadership
- These apply as much to a class teacher as to the Principal and B.O.T. Chairperson
The Principal is the 'head learner'! He/she models the way.
- Leadership is not an issue of personality but one of providing direction, a sense of future!
- Some one once said: 'There are three important requirements for a Quality School: Leadership! Leadership! and Leadership!'
- Leaders have 'attitude' - they have 'a point of view' - they challenge current expectations. They adapt never adopt - every thing is judged according to the school shared beliefs (the Vision) . They say no - they control their change agenda!
- Leadership is all about purpose. Purpose creates consensus, commitment and collegiality.
Management is about maintenance.
Both are required - but Leadership is the key to developing a shared Vision
- Leaders focus on what is important - makes it explicit what the school is to achieve. They limit and focus innovations - believing in doing a few things well - Quality not quantity
Leaders provide clarity and a sense of shared destiny - and in turn a sense of security and hope.
Clarity reduces overload complexity and in turn develops empowerment and decision making.
- They spread optimism - they manage the 'heart' - and they say thanks (and often get little in return). They model the way - set the example - by living their values.
- Leaders communicate! Communicate! and communicate! what is important
- Leaders always expect the best - they believe and expect everyone to continually improve. They are optimists. They enable others to act by clarifying expectations and by building trust
- They treat people with empathy - apply the 'Golden Rule' at all times
- By providing clear agreed expectations they provide paradoxically a safe environment to take risks. All learners, to be trusted, need to Know: Why? What? How? and When?
- Leaders ensure that all understand what criteria they have to live up to - how success is to be judged
- They hold people accountable to agreed commitments - even when it would be easier to ignore. Leaders have to show moral toughness. They must see conflict as an opportunity to focus on what is important.
- Leaders give recognition to those who show initiative or appropriate behaviour - they build on the strengths the school has. They continually provide feedback and encourage sharing.
- They must support those who need help the most - and provide whatever help is required.
- They must be seen as trustworthy - must live up to their own beliefs; practice what they preach!
If you are in a Leadership role how do you rate?
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