Leadership isn’t effective unless there are people that want to follow. In education, the principal and administration must lead many different types of people. Staff, students, parents and anyone else vested in student success must feel confident in the direction in which the leaders of the campus are headed. Leaders must have clearly communicated direct, key outcomes and strategies that all agree will reach the desired outcome. Not all people lead the same way and at times there is push back if there is not clear communication. Teachers must be enabled and empowered as well as trusted to do their part in accomplishing their specific objectives. This framework will allow dissenters to feel they have a part in reaching the campus’ goals.
Leaders that people follow hold others accountable and are trustworthy. They continue to work toward the goals and if practices in place are not headed in the appropriate way, then leaders take responsibility and analyze what is not working. As much as the leader must be trustworthy, they must also trust those they work with, and people can have confidence that their leader won’t punish them for their efforts if they take reasonable and responsible risks that are well thought out and well-founded. If people are not following, it is most likely they are not understanding the why behind a specific process. Leaders must communicate, not just the overall direction, but any information their followers need to successfully and skillfully carry out their responsibilities. Most of all, it is vital that a campus principal or any campus leader assure the staff and other stakeholders that they have the skills and confidence to perform and produce student achievement and success.
