Leadership Insights - Leadership in Every Role

When we hear the words school leadership, we immediately think about individuals in positions of authority – the head teacher, deputy head, senior leaders, governors.

However, true leadership extends far beyond job titles and hierarchical structures. It is a mindset of qualities that anyone can exhibit, regardless of their position.

Leadership is not about the position or power someone holds; it’s about the ability to inspire and influence others positively. It’s about taking ownership, being proactive and making a difference in whatever capacity or role you are in.

Yet, some head teachers perceive themselves as having to lead everything within a school – perhaps because as the designated leader of the school, they feel a strong sense of responsibility for the school’s success and want to make sure that things are done properly. Perhaps because they feel that it’s quicker and easier to do something themselves and to the standard they expect.

But school leadership is too big a responsibility for one person to do alone. No individual has the expertise in every single role or aspect of running a school or the capacity to even try!

Taking on too many responsibilities results in an overwhelming workload and missed opportunities for collaboration, input and growth. It delivers a message that you don’t trust others to do a good enough job and doesn’t make effective use of the range of resources you have available. It can also demotivate others and lead to ‘coasting.’

Leading by Example - Expecting the Best from Everyone

One of the key aspects of leadership in every role is leading by example – embodying the values and behaviours you want to see in others. This requires integrity, authenticity and consistency in your actions and words as head teacher.

When you consistently demonstrate qualities like honesty, accountability and respect, you inspire those around you to do the same.

Your actions speak louder than words and can motivate others to follow your lead and set the tone for the entire school community.

School leadership is not therefore limited to the head teacher or deputy / assistant head teacher. It extends to every individual who has a role in educating the children.

When leadership is embraced by all members of staff, a culture of collaboration, growth and excellence becomes the norm.

Teachers – can demonstrate leadership by setting a positive environment and high expectations for pupils and provide guidance and mentorship for their colleagues. They can take the initiative to share innovative practices and engage in professional development. Providing opportunities for subject / phase leadership and undertaking qualifications are other ways to develop leadership potential.

Support Staff - contribute to the smooth running of the school. They can demonstrate leadership by actively participating in the school community and supporting the implementation of policies e.g. behaviour policy. They can provide a welcoming and inclusive, supportive environment for pupils and encouragement when needed.

Pupils - have the potential to be leaders within the school by actively taking part in school councils, residential trips, clubs, sport and representing the school in events and roles such as being a prefect, monitor, or taking part in enterprise activities or voluntary work. By taking part in such roles, pupils can develop leadership skills, teamwork and initiative. They can also demonstrate respect, empathy and a commitment to learning. Encouraging pupil voice, involvement and ownership empowers pupils to develop their leadership potential.

Parents - demonstrate leadership by actively engaging in their children’s education, attending parent's evenings and volunteering in school activities. By contributing their skills to support school initiatives such as fund raising and collaborating with school staff creates a strong partnership.

When leadership in every role is embraced it creates an energy that can help a school achieve excellence. It ensures that the entire school community works together to achieve its vision and overall goals.

Benefits of Leadership in Every Role

When individuals in various positions across the school demonstrate leadership qualities and actively contribute to the leadership of the school, it creates a positive and productive environment.

Shared Vision - As head teacher, having individuals in various roles embrace and contribute to the school’s vision, strengthens its implementation and impact. Collaboration becomes more effective as everyone is invested in the school’s mission and journey.

Distributed Leadership - Leadership in every role means that head teachers are not solely responsible for all decision making and problem solving. When individuals contribute their ideas, perspectives and expertise, a school improves. This lightens the load for the head teacher allowing them to focus on strategic planning and other important aspects of their role.

Enhanced School Culture - Leadership in every role contributes to a positive and inclusive school culture. It creates an environment where everyone feels valued, respected and motivated. This in turn leads to positive staff morale, improved engagement and better overall performance.

Professional Growth and Development - When individuals in various roles demonstrate leadership, it fosters a culture of continuous learning and professional growth. Teachers who exhibit leadership qualities actively seek opportunities for further professional development, share best practice and contribute to overall school improvement. This creates a team of motivated and skilled teachers and leaders who are invested in the success of the school.

Strong Network: Leadership in every role creates a strong network within the school. As individuals demonstrate leadership qualities, they become reliable members of the team that the head teacher can rely on when making important decisions or problem solving. This fosters a sense of teamwork and strengthens leadership capacity.

?“Leadership is the art of giving people a platform for spreading ideas that work." (Seth Godin)

Leadership is not confined to formal positions of authority. It is a mindset of qualities that can be demonstrated by anyone regardless of role.

Delegating responsibilities, fostering distributed leadership and leveraging the expertise of other staff members not only alleviates the burden on a head teacher, it also enables the growth of others.

By empowering others and promoting collaboration, a head teacher can create a more sustainable and effective leadership approach that benefits both themselves and the entire school community.

NEED MORE SUPPORT?

My HEADSpace programme is a one-to-one coaching programme for school leaders designed to help you become the best school leader you can be - WITHOUT sacrificing or losing yourself in the process.

If you’d like, we can hop on a quick Zoom call to see if HEADSpace is right for you.

Just book a time to chat that works for you here – https://calendly.com/janewoods96

During that call, we’ll explore how you can explore your goals and some of the obstacles that may be holding you back or keeping you awake at night!