When you apply for a job, you know that it’s important to know enough to be capable of doing the work in the case you get it. The knowledge and skills needed to be effective in school leadership roles is something that you can prepare for but will continue to learn as long as you are engaged in the work. That’s why our work, as is the case with other professionals, is a practice. There are things you don’t need to know until they present themselves to you (how to cut off water going to the gym but not the entire building). There are skills you consistently improve upon over time and reflection (how to have conversations that motivate others without being off-putting.
But don’t get the idea you have to know everything, especially just when you’re beginning. It’s not a quiz; you already have the job. No one expects anyone to know everything. I’ve been doing this since, we’ll let’s not get math into it, but I’ve been in the school leadership game for as long as many of my people have been alive and I REGULARLY (every day I work) call others to learn from them. I learned long ago (but not at the start!) that being good at school leaderships isn’t about being the one who knows the most, but being the one who can connect the dots and get people what they need. It’s also a job where a curious mind of wanting to really know things you don’t know will serve you well.
And you really don’t have to front like you know things you don’t… because people catch on really quickly what the real situation is. I’ve found that people respect a leader who doesn’t act like the only smart person, or even the smartest person in the room. Come to your job like a REAL learner… a kindergartner… with humility and curiosity and people will want to work with you.
The graphic above is a quote from Chapter One of What They Didn’t Teach You In Fancy Leadership School. Head to the Book Store Tab to get a copy of the book and read the whole chapter!
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