Academic leaders act as an essential bridge within a school. On one hand, you work with (and are sometimes part of) the Leadership Team, providing input for strategic decisions that guide your school.
On the other hand, you also work directly with teachers and students. You provide coaching and act as a disciplinarian for the school.
Here are four tips to grow your personal and professional leadership skills so you can continue to support your direct reports, students, and school.
Set goals. Growth doesn’t happen on its own. You must set out to achieve certain objectives that make sense for your position now and where you want to go in the future. We’ve all heard of SMART goals—setting goals that are specific, measurable, achievable, results-focused, and time-bound. Your goals must also motivate you—setting goals that don’t align with your educational philosophies or make sense for your schedule probably won’t last long-term. Goal-setting is one of the most important things you can do as a school leader.
Create a plan. What are you going to do each week to work toward your goals? Set smaller, incremental milestones that eventually help you reach your larger goals. Write down what you’ll do each week to help you achieve what you want to accomplish, and check in to make sure you’re moving in the right direction.
Use resources. Chances are you won’t be able to achieve your goals entirely on your own. Ask a veteran school administrator for help, or look to online resources for advice and insight. You might even choose to bring in a third-party to assess where you stand today and where you can go from here. Be sure to gain new perspectives and lean on others’ experiences to better yourself and your school.
Assess and adjust as needed. Your career and school are always evolving. Don’t be afraid to change your goals as growth and change occur. Take a look at where you stand each quarter and make any needed adjustments. It’s often a worthwhile exercise to ensure that your goals still align with where you eventually want to land.
Follow these tips to ensure your goals best serve you, your professional growth, and your school.
Additional ISM Resources:
The Source for Private School News Vol. 18 No. 4 New Year, New Goals for Yourself and Your School
The Source for Academic Leadership Vol. 16 No. 3 Three Leadership Missteps to Avoid
Additional ISM resources for members:
I&P Vol. 42 No. 14 Executive Leadership: The Relationships Between Predictability and Support, the School Head's Well-Being, and Faculty Culture
