As principal you lead a village

He aha te mea nui o te ao. He tāngata, he tāngata, he tāngata. “What is the most important thing in the world? It is people, it is people, it is people." This whakatoki encapsulates the idea of the principal's role in valuing, connecting with, and caring for the people in their community.

As you may or may not know, I have been given the gift of time and reflection at present. It is a gift that initially I wanted to return. Long COVID has a no returns policy so I am learning to be patient. This week my gift got me thinking about being a Principal.?

Initially as a principal, I was relatively unaware of the criticality of community leadership in my role. As principal you lead a village.?

The necessity of managing relationships and balancing stakeholder interests proved to be a significant component of my responsibilities. As a principal, I found that my energy and resources were frequently allocated towards fostering positive and productive connections with every group within my school.

Much like a community leader in a rural town or village, my role extended beyond regular working hours to include school events and functions during weekends, along with cultivating social relationships. Parents regularly viewed me as an authority figure, seeking advice on various topics such as parenting techniques, managing screen time, and facilitating connections between teenagers and family life.

Principals wield significant influence within their school communities. For instance, there were instances when I was called upon to mediate family disputes. In one case, a seventeen-year-old student had left his family to live with a friend's family, and I was brought in to persuade the student to return to his home. I am also aware of instances where principals have presided over funeral ceremonies for community members.

My primary role as a principal was to ensure the community felt valued, informed, and focused. I recognised that damaging relationships with any stakeholder would be detrimental. This required the development of skills, judgment, and expertise, all of which I honed on the job.

Being a community leader involves appreciating all community members, connecting with all segments of the community, and a myriad of external groups. As a principal, it is crucial to instill confidence in oneself and the school within these relationships.

Relationships with parents were critical. Ensuring their collective well-being and fostering their connection with the school was a paramount component of my role. I have found this perspective to be universally shared among my peers.?

Overseeing the welfare of students and managing their relationships was challenging, yet necessary. I have observed that students in today's era have significantly more complex relationships within and outside of school than they did in the early 2000s.

The focus of schools has always been to cater to the multifaceted needs of students, including their learning, emotional, physical, psychological, and spiritual needs. However, the role of a principal has expanded to encompass caring for the student's family – their parents, grandparents, extended family, or caregivers. Principals may be required to mediate family disputes, oversee family court matters and handover arrangements, fulfill access and residency requirements, and navigate other complex situations.

Despite the role's numerous demands, I firmly believe that the essence of principalship in our schools lies in demonstrating human leadership. We strive to provide support and care for our community members, build relationships, and closely engage with all, leading with compassion and understanding.?

I love the job. I can't wait to get back. It is a privilege and pleasure. I do think this gift is going to make me better at it. More thoughtful. Perhaps more mature. Above all else it has given me a story to tell. More on this story when the time is right as I know I am not there yet.

How do you feel? What do you think? Do you see yourself as a community leader? How do you fill your bucket as a community leader? How do you sharpen the saw in those human leadership skills??