Are you an exceptional school leader? Do you know any? Exceptional school leaders are engaging, accountable, convincing and impressive. They’re the kind of person you like to be around. They listen carefully and connect with you. In short, they’re emotionally intelligent.
Teachers love working in their schools. Parents want to enroll their children. Students are happy and engaged learners. When you walk through the doorway, you know immediately that you are in a fabulous school.
The key to being an exceptional school leader is soft skills such as optimism, problem solving, empathy and emotional self-awareness. A sense of humor is most essential, too. Did I mention flexibility and assertiveness? Balancing the two is critical. These are just a few of the soft skills and characteristics of exceptional school leaders.
Think about it, nearly all that goes on in schools is beyond the direct control of school leaders. The only real influence of a school leader is gained through trust and implemented by those who trust him or her.
The interpersonal skills required for school leaders to build trust include the ability to view the world from others’ perspectives, which can be especially challenging in diverse school communities. Another essential skill is the ability to be a cooperative, contributing member of the many constituencies within a school community, such as the faculty and staff, board, parent community, student body and alumni. Yet, interpersonal relationship skills are perhaps the most important. Establishing and maintaining mutually satisfying relationships with people of all constituencies of a school community is essential.
Sometimes, regardless of the strength of a leader’s interpersonal skills, people attempt to sabotage the leader. During the period of sabotage, a leader’s emotional intelligence is put to the test. Soft skills such as the ability to solve problems, manage stress and remain optimistic become keys to the kingdom or a death sentence.
Why aren’t most leaders exceptional? First, many school leaders don’t know which soft skills are critical to school leadership. Second, they don’t know why they are important. Third, they don’t know how to develop soft skills.
You will have a very difficult time being an exceptional leader if you are missing any of these soft skills. The good news is that you can develop these skills and become an exceptional school leader. You can develop them on your own or you can get a school leader coach to help you.
That’s what I do and it’s my passion.