New School Year…..New Opportunities

The school year is here for educators and with that comes different emotions and thoughts. For some, the new school year will bring excitement – excitement to lead in a new role or building. For others, it provides opportunities to build upon the work from the previous year. We also need to recognize that the new school year may also bring anxiety and feelings of being overwhelmed.  For everyone, the new school year brings the unknown. However, I try to think of it as opportunities. These opportunities include how one may lead yourself in professional growth, how you lead others and how you lead your school community.

This blog post shares some strategies on what leaders can do to ensure they are forward thinking, collaborative and creating an environment where educators want to be and give their best for each other and the students.  

1. It starts with supporting others 

The most influential thing leaders can do is spend time with their staff, students and families. It is impossible to spend all your time with your school community, but when you have those moments make the most of the opportunity to listen-connect and build trust.  Some strategies to use include:

• Interact with staff – It is a true challenge to find the time to get around to every staff member daily. I have learned that it is not the quantity of interactions with staff members that create the relationship but rather the quality of those interactions. Leaders must be present in each conversation (ex. do not look at the clock) and keep your eyes and attention on that person. It’s important to be a great listener and see the topic from their perspective. 
• Be Visible at school events, carlines, lunches and get into classrooms.  Staff value leaders who they see in action.
• Show and tell staff how you value them – Send handwritten notes or postcards to staff. In addition, have students make videos about staff impact and share back with staff.  
• Involve Staff – Consider how you can maximize the strengths of your staff and “what skills they do have” to help your building. When people feel like they are being given a chance to contribute, they will be more confident. We must find ways to develop confidence in our staff as “Confidence” is the most powerful thing a principal can give a teacher and a teacher can give a student. This could include things like Staff led PD sessions, Staff led parent events, Feedback loops with staff , School developed goals  and Staff Personal Growth Plan.
• Inspire a shared Vision – It is essential for leaders to keep the focus simple and “laser like” for their staff so there is a clear understanding of the purpose of the work. We must communicate our vision through stories, emotions and create engagement around the priorities. 

2. Lead exceptionally well 

Before you can help develop others and lead an organization you must demonstrate that you lead yourself at a high level.  People will follow the leader first and then the vision or message.  Here are some strategies you can use to demonstrate that you are leading at a high level:

• Be consistent with your efforts and lead with character that places decisions on what is best for others.
• Go the extra mile as that is the difference between good vs. great. That means at times you may need to take the tough job or be willing to do what others will not.  
• Always develop and share a solution when you mention a problem – be solution focused.
• Be a team player for the organization as that makes you a part of something bigger and helps others connect with you.
• Be action oriented and “walk the walk” by living your core values through your actions and how you treat others.
• Lead with humility as the position is not about you but rather how you can make the position one of influence upon others.

3. Lead with Vulnerability

Leaders can connect with their staff by being honest, authentic and displaying vulnerability. No one single person can create and carry the momentum throughout the entire school year – it is a shared responsibility. Sharing with staff that you will need them to help and likewise, that you need to be there to help them, places a high value on collective efficacy. Leaders must admit that they don’t have all the answers, but “the smartest person in the room is the room”. In other words, leaders that involve others in their decision making process empowers everyone to be rowing the boat in the same direction. When leaders share this type of message with staff, it helps everyone to know that we will not only get through this but actually develop a stronger sense of culture as a result.

4. The Little things matter most

A leader has many tasks and responsibilities leading a school district or school. While the job may vary from one level to another, the overall work remains the same for leaders. It is how well does someone do the little things daily that truly add up over time to make a significant impact and difference for others. Consider these items:

• Extra Effort – I believe all educators work hard, care and do their best. Over time  I have learned the extra effort must be spent in the right way.  I must have a daily goal of “not focusing so much on doing things right as much as focusing on doing the right things.”  Focus on people – not programs or numbers as people make the difference.
• Extra Time – Great leadership is developed over time as you take risks, reflect and learn along the way.  
• Extra Help – Leaders must ask others for help and seek their guidance as often as needed. That is hard for me, it’s hard for most leaders.  I remind myself that asking for help is actually a sign of strength, not weakness, as it models the importance of collective efficacy.  I must be ok with being vulnerable and admitting at times that I need support, help or just plain encouragement too.
• Extra Care – People have many emotions as we start another school year. Leaders must provide the care and empathy that our teachers and students need. 
• Communication – This may be the most important asset to a leader – how we communicate and what we communicate matters.  Be clear, positive and focused on your district’s/school vision. 

Educators must remember that creating positive change requires that we must be intentional with our efforts.  A new school year brings new opportunities for leaders.  Opportunities to make a difference in the lives of so many people. Leaders must recognize how important the start of the school year is and what can be done to help everyone find success and joy.  It is never too late to change or adapt to create something better. We owe that to our students and staff that we serve. I encourage you to reflect and better understand “New Year…..New Opportunities” as a leader and how the new year provides great opportunity for growth.  Comment below or reach out to me at leadlearnerperspectives@gmail.com

Learn

Engage

Adapt

Delegate

Empower

Reflect

Serve