Webster’s College Dictionary, Tenth Edition defines leadership as 1) the office or position of a leader; 2) capacity to lead; and 3) the act or instance of leading. In a school, leadership comes from the principal. The principal needs to be an instructional leader, a change leader, and a devotee of his/her followership. A principal must be a person of integrity who time and again demonstrates dedication to the followership.
As a leader, the principal must set the highest example of dedication to school and community. Students must know they are important to the leader. Staff members must know they are important to the leader. Parents must know they are important to the leader. How does the leader assure that these stakeholders feel valued? By considering their concerns. By instituting clear policies and procedures, and consistently carrying them out. By making goal setting a collective process. By being approachable and available. By developing relationships with the members of the school and community.
Just as society is in a constant state of change, so are schools. Change is frightening. It requires that people change behaviors, traditions, and attitudes that make them who they are. A leader must make this process less frightening, less painful. By involving the followership in change and sharing the reasons for change, leaders can make the change process more comfortable. Leaders must also demonstrate that they are comfortable with change by allowing and encouraging followers to initiate change. Failure to do so will make the followership more resistant to the change, and create an antagonistic relationship in which no one can flourish.
Leadership requires vision. The principal has to have a vision for the school, and also must aid his/her staff in the creation and implementation of a collective vision. Included in the vision must be the resolve to teach and include all students, strategies for doing so, and continuing evaluation of these strategies. Without such a vision, a school cannot set and measure goals.
Leaders seek to cultivate the skills of their followers, often getting more from his/her followers than those followers thought possible. Only through continuous, committed staff development can a principal create a culture in which teachers and, therefore, students flourish. Good staff development is key in developing life long learning in teachers. Having teachers who are life long learners help create students who are life long learners.
A leader must also be a manager. Principals have to manage their budgets, infrastructure, physical plants, custodial services, and resources. It is not enough to prepare teachers and students. They must be provided a safe, clean environment in which they have the resources necessary for success.
What is a leader? A leader is a person of integrity. A leader is a representative of his/her organization and an active part of the organization’s community. A leader is someone who works with and for his/her stakeholders by creating a vision, setting (and measuring achievement of) goals, facilitating change, bringing about growth, and managing resources. By doing these things effectively, a leader can take a community beyond its perceived limits and into boundless success.