Every school needs a leader, whether the principal or a teacher, who takes charge. Leaders make things happen, and they need certain qualities to be effective in their roles. If you’re thinking of becoming a school leader or just curious about what it takes to be one, Read on! We have listed nine traits of influential school leaders that set them apart from the rest.
They Are Consistent
Leaders must be consistent with maintaining an effective school environment. You can’t expect people to follow you if you’re not always there – so make a schedule that fits you and your team and stick to it! It’s also essential to be dependable and follow through on what you say because that’s how trust is built. School leaders don’t take their roles lightly, and they stand by their words to create a strong reputation. If school administrators can do that, it is easier for everyone to work together as a team for the students’ benefit.
They Know Their Stuff
One of the most critical steps of becoming a good school leader is knowing what you’re doing. It means having a solid background in education and experience as a teacher or school administrator. You should also become familiar with state and federal laws that might influence or impact your job and receive ongoing training and education. Many universities offer online education programs that can help you enhance your skills as an educational leader. You can enroll in an Educational Leadership Online MSEd Program to continue your education and work simultaneously. Continuing your education will open more career opportunities and help you become the best leader possible. It will ensure growth in your role, which every effective leader knows they must do.
They Listen
Listening is a trait very few people have, but influential school leaders make it a priority. They listen to their students and colleagues, making sure they understand each other. Not only do leaders listen to those who are around them. They also consider those who are absent, like the parents, teachers, and the community. It is vital for maintaining effective relationships with everyone to work together and help students achieve success. A good leader listens to feedback from individuals and the team, uses it to improve their skills, and gives back by sharing knowledge.
They Communicate Effectively
When you are trying to lead people, whether it’s your staff, board members or students’ parents, you need to communicate clearly and politely so everyone knows what is expected of them. To create a culture where you can have open conversations, leaders need excellent communication skills. They must articulate their vision clearly to work towards the same goal. They must also get their point across clearly and concisely so that everyone understands it. It is vital when you’re making important decisions – if people don’t know how crucial it is to follow you, then they won’t. Finally, leaders need to express their thoughts and ideas without sounding demanding or hostile. If they can communicate positively, people will be more likely to pay attention and follow their lead.
They Care About Everyone
As leaders, school officials need to be concerned with the well-being of students, teachers, and other stakeholders to create positive environments in which everyone can feel comfortable and succeed. If you’re thinking of becoming a school leader, don’t go into it for your benefit. Instead, consider how you may positively influence others by being a part of their lives. A great leader values the professional success of their colleagues and encourages them to achieve their goals. They also care about everyone personally, which means they try to understand what is going on to help them when necessary.
They Take Responsibility
A leader can’t succeed without taking responsibility for their actions. If you make a mistake, don’t expect someone else to fix it for you – own up to your mistakes and take the necessary steps towards resolving them. You should also expect others to do the same because that’s how accountability works. School leaders need to hold themselves accountable not just for their actions but also for their team members. It is vital when it comes time for reviews and evaluations. It ensures that everyone is on the same page and working towards the same goals.
They Are Organized
A disorganized leader will struggle to be effective because it’s challenging to lead anything if you’re not organized. You’ll need to put in place procedures that aid everyone in operating efficiently – this might include creating agendas before meetings. Hence, everyone knows what they need to prepare in advance or ensure that you’ve got back-ups of all the information necessary for critical tasks to avoid anyone getting stuck. This way, you can ensure that everything is well under control and priorities will never get lost in the chaos. It may be tempting to go off on a tangent when people are talking at meetings but staying organized and focused is essential for an effective leader.
They’re Decisive
Leaders are constantly presented with issues that require quick judgment, and this judgment needs to be sound. Leaders know when they have all the necessary information to decide, and when the time comes, they act without hesitation. This decisiveness helps boost people’s confidence in them and reinforces the idea that they’re the right person for the job. A good school leader is always looking for ways to improve the school, which requires decisiveness.
They are empathetic
A good school leader is always supportive and empathetic towards their students, teachers, and staff. They listen to the problems of all stakeholders in the school and help them positively resolve issues. Their doors must always be open, and they should not follow a dictator leadership style. They keep in mind that children are their top priority and do everything they can to put them in a positive environment to feel safe and secure. A principal is one of the leading role models for students, which means school leaders must be the epitome of empathy if they intend to inspire compassion in their students.
Conclusion
If you wish to be an effective school leader, you must research and find the traits that work best for you. Some people may like working with children or teaching students, while others prefer handling budgets or managing staff members. Good leadership skills are crucial to becoming a successful educational leader! Once you identify where your strength lies, you can work towards becoming a great educational leader. In case of any questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us!