When I started this course, I didn't have a good idea of what made an effective leader. I just knew I had been working under an ineffective leadership team for years. And although I could tell you specific behaviors that I found damaging to our school that would be all I could tell you, I was unable to articulate well why it was damaging.
It's taken until the end of week 3, but I think I am finally over connecting everything to what it is not and am now more focused on what effective leadership is.
Effective leadership is leadership that can motivate individuals to work as hard as they can not for their own success but for the common good. It begins with a leader who is willing to share their vision and share in the best sense of the word, meaning, "Here is my vision - what do you think of it? what can you add to it? what parts are we ready to bring to fruition now and what are we maybe not ready for?" Sharing in this way helps to ensure that the vision truly becomes a shared vision.
Being a truly shared vision is most important because I've learned an effective leader doesn't lead in a vacuum. She can only lead with followers who are willing to move forward, and that willingness comes easiest when all are moving in a direction they believe in. There are methods of leading that don't require this "buy in" but I don't believe those methods are the most effective for bringing about the change or transformation so necessary in schools right now.
Communication is key for a leader to be effective. There is the communication of the vision but then also communication of procedures, expectations, recognitions, and reflections. The manner in which all of this is communicated greatly affects the perception of the leader and the understanding and commitment of those being led. This perception and understanding is necessary because trust in a leader is an important aspect of his/her success.
I've learned that an effective leader is part manager: making sure all of the details are in place and taken care of so they don't interfere with the movement forward. So much of being an effective leader comes down to allowing the shared vision to permeate every decision made even down to the smallest detail.
I've also learned that an effective leader has to be willing to share power and create a leadership team, as there is no way one person could possible take care of all the details, know all the answers,and have a complete understanding of all the problems. Knowing your weaknesses and creating a complimentary team that will compensate for them is a good part of being an effective leader.(Murphy, 1988)
Most importantly, I think being an effective leader involves staying true to yourself. It is important to have a bank of strategies to pull from when dealing with school leadership. However, a leader must have integrity. Her beliefs, values, and actions must align.(Evans, 1996) This authentic leadership is to me the most effective.
I believe there are several characteristics a successful principal must possess, and it is hard to come up with what you might call the short list. To narrow it to the top five, I would list:
1. focus-I think focus is important as there are so many needs in a school. Focus helps a principal to stay in tune to the school's goals and vision and lets those be the driving force behind every decision. There are so many details big and small that make up a principal's day, the ability to stay focused and not drop any of these details or how they should be handled is key.
2. communication skills-Communication skills are so important in dealing with staff, students, and parents. What to say, how to say it, when to say it, and when not to say anything all work to building relationships and establishing the school climate.
3. organization-Organization is necessary to keep all the details together and not waste any time or the time of others.
4. open mindedness-Open mindedness is the trait that will keep the principal listening. The willingness to see other points of view, try new methods, and reflect on actions begins with open mindedness.
5. empathy-The ability to identify and understand another person's feelings is important in any job that involves managing people. The need to understand where staff and students are and what they are feeling is very important in resolving issues of conflict or concern.
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