To be successful, K-12 principals must be adaptable leaders in the world. An average day for these principals is packed with last-minute student emergencies, challenges to the faculty, and meetings with anxious parents. Although the job can be a thankless one, principals push through with one common goal; make it possible for the student they support to have the best education provided by the school. Below are the top skills every school principal must-have for running an efficient school.
The leadership of School Principals
Applying an old saying to the role of school principals, one can say that these leaders of academic institutions must “wear many hats.” Principals are often coaches in various areas for faculties and students alike, communicators and managers. They also serve and work with a team, offering direction and purpose. Fortunately, many school principals have come up through the ranks and been on various committees, so they are experienced. They have been teachers and assistant principals before attaining the job of leaders and directors’ positions. Above all, principals must be true leaders. They must be diplomatic and able to gain the support of the faculty and the community in which the school resides. They also must be capable of making quick decisions while calculating the costs and benefits.
Effective principals strive to ensure that they completely understand the many problems they face. They respond by taking robust and decisive action without over questioning themselves. They can achieve this skill by balancing a) impulses that come from being impatient (reacting without thinking) and b) overthinking and delaying action.
Objective and Active Listening
Influential leaders see and hear things beyond the point of view of those who speak to them. Successful principals can understand what is being said from the speaker’s point of view. With such understanding of another person’s perspective, principals can provide solutions to the speaker that will be appropriate.
Empowerment of Others and Delegation
Principals can provide solutions that others will accept if empowerment is given to those individuals. The faculty and the staff will feel more commitment and ownership of their decisions when they become involved in their actions’ development and outcomes.
Focusing on the Student’s Successes
Because the community depends upon their children’s school leaders, principals should remember to first be educators and then administrators. Taking an active interest in the successes of the students is paramount.