Leadership can often be a lonely experience if you let it be. As a school leader, you have a unique position in that you likely have knowledge of many student, staff and family concerns that the wider school may not be privy to. In addition, you are largely responsible for the school and the decisions that get made within it, and this can be a heavy burden at times. 

There are some who believe that administrators should stay out of the spaces of their teachers, while others (myself included) feel that it is important to be part of that team, to have lunch with them and work alongside them where possible.This includes participating in staff activities whether it is a sports pool, a staff social party, etc. It is a time to connect with others in a different sort of role and build trust that is essential for a strong team to be effective. 

While you cannot share everything with your staff, I would recommend being open, honest and transparent with them as much as you are able to. This can help to give them insight into your work in the same way that you strive to have insight into theirs. Knowledge of each other’s work is a component of teacher collective efficacy, and while you are likely to have knowledge of the work of your teachers, it is equally important they have knowledge of your work as well. 

Though this can offset the isolation, and despite best attempts for transparency, it can still be difficult in that others can’t always appreciate the weight and feelings that come with the role. However, there is one group of people who you ought to be connecting with….other administrators!

Other administrators are in much the same position as you, and face similar challenges. By connecting and collaborating with them, you can share the success and the struggles to make your own work smoother. Having someone to bounce ideas off of or to ask a question when you don’t officially want to ask the question can be an invaluable thing to have when you may be trying to navigate a particularly difficult situation. 

Research has shown that a strong collegial network with other administrators can be a huge factor in offsetting leader burnout. Having a strong supportive group of colleagues who can empathize with your struggles can be affirming in that you know that you aren’t alone in your struggles and feelings. 

It is also fine to have different people for different things. You may have someone who is a technical genius, but thinks differently in terms of how to approach a difficult parent. Similarly, you may have some who are excellent with developing their teachers but struggle with engaging families. And some, you may simply want to listen when you are frustrated. Having a wide cross-section of people that you curate can make your experience as a school leader much more enjoyable.

This being said, not every other school leader will be a good fit for you in terms of your network. There are some who have philosophical differences that may be tricky to bridge. Not that you have to be on the same page as everyone, but it’s good to be at least reading from the same book. Trust is also a core component of these networks so if you have reason not to trust someone, they also are unlikely to be a good fit for you.

So how do you find your ‘peeps’? Leverage every opportunity! Chances are, there will always be work functions like administrator meetings that gather school leaders together. Start conversations with people and find out what they are all about and if they are a good fit for your network. There may be social events or special interest groups that are full of school leaders. Don’t be afraid to reach out and continue a conversation that you started at one of these events. Most school leaders are only too happy to connect, and if not, well they probably aren’t someone you want in your network anyhow!

Finally, I do feel strongly that it is the responsibility of experienced school leaders to seek out new school leaders and help them grow their network as it can be intimidating. We can all use mentors, and many of us have benefitted from them at some point in our lives. Paying it forward helps to strengthen our profession. This leads to a final thought of what do you offer to the people in your network?