Creating Your Leadership Philosophy
In their book, Great By Choice, Jim Collins and Morten Hansen embark on a nine-year research journey to answer a pivotal question: “Why do some companies thrive in uncertainty, even chaos, while others falter?”.
One of the core concepts from the book is the idea of 'Fanatic Discipline'. Collins and Hansen define discipline not as mere adherence to rules or hierarchical obedience, but as “consistency of action” (p. 23) —a leader or organisation that achieves extraordinary success in challenging times—discipline manifests as self-discipline. It’s about having the inner resolve to pursue long-term goals and uphold values, no matter the obstacles.
As a Principal, I find this concept profoundly relevant. I have a clear philosophy about what education should be (it sits at the top of my CV, I wrote in at 21years old, interesting it has stayed mostly the same!), but I realise I’ve rarely stopped to consider my personal leadership philosophy in depth.
I know the kind of leader I aspire to be: one who supports staff in reaching their goals, even if it sometimes means losing talented individuals to new opportunities; I surround myself with people who are smarter than I am, I make a conscious effort to listen (it took me a while to learn not to interrupt), and I always make it a point to speak last when the group is sharing ideas to ensure everyone has a chance to contribute. My goal is to create an environment where every member of our school community can thrive, learn from one another, and grow.
These values reflect my personal motto: Be Bold, Be Kind, Be True. For me, this motto represents:
My commitment to these values guides my decision-making and daily actions. Reflecting on my leadership journey, I see the importance of consistently applying these principles in all that I do.
Our school’s commitments also embodies core values that guide me:
My Personal Philosophy of Leadership
As I continue to grow and reflect on my role as a leader, and as I write this article, I am developing a more formalised personal leadership philosophy. I have played around with what I have written above about myself, this is what I got so far …
“Leadership, to me, means taking on challenges and making courageous strides toward innovation and progress. It involves questioning the status quo, creating a culture that values risk-taking and new ideas, and handling tough conversations and decisions with a clear vision for positive change.
Central to my leadership is a deep commitment to empathy, understanding, and respect for others.
I work to cultivate an environment where every individual feels valued and supported through active listening, embracing diverse perspectives, and encouraging mutual respect.
I am dedicated to staying true to my core values and principles, ensuring that my actions reflect my beliefs, my decisions are transparent, and my leadership is principled.
My aim is to inspire others, foster growth, and build a vibrant school community where everyone can thrive and achieve their full potential. This philosophy is not just a statement but a daily practice—one that challenges me to balance vision with empathy, boldness, with kindness, and innovation with authenticity.”
That’s my first draft—it’s a bit long, but it’s a start!
In essence, choosing your leadership style is about finding a balance between personal principles and professional practices. It’s about crafting a philosophy that reflects who you are and what you aspire to achieve, both for yourself and those you lead.
Some questions to ask yourself: What does your leadership philosophy look like? How do you maintain consistency in your values and actions amidst uncertainty?
Kalea Haran
#CourageStartsHere
Reference
Collins, J., & Hansen, M. T. (2011). Great by choice: Uncertainty, chaos, and luck—Why some thrive despite them all. HarperBusiness.
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