Inspiration from Past US Leaders
Jun 30, 2024
A leader’s word is a powerful force that can bring about change, move people and drive progress. From the earliest days of American independence, leaders' words have been crucial in shaping values, policies, and institutions.
As we approach the 4th of July this week, I'd like to draw inspiration from the leadership styles of US leaders. Here are some quotes and reflection questions on how to express those qualities in your school leadership role.
A school leader always listens.
“You have only one way to convince others, listen to them.” -George Washington
“To learn, you have to listen. To improve, you have to try.” -Thomas Jefferson
- How do you listen to your staff and student needs?
- How do you acknowledge teacher concerns and help them move forward when faced with challenges?
- Does your staff consider you to be a good listener and learner?
- How do you foster positive relationships?
A school leader communicates purpose.
“Efforts and courage are not enough without purpose and direction.” John F. Kennedy
- How do you communicate and direct your staff? (especially when times are tough and challenging)
- How do you create a culture of 2-way communication?
- How do you connect and engage with your staff?
A school leader has a vision and blueprint for success.
"The best way to predict your future is to create it." -Abraham Lincoln
- Do you have a clear vision for student achievement?
- Do you have goals for student growth and achievement? How do you share those goals and inspire your staff to reach them?
- Do you have a plan or blueprint to help you accomplish your goals?
A school leader aims to solve the root cause.
“It is common sense to take a method and try it. If it fails, admit it frankly and try another. But above all, try something.” -Franklin D. Roosevelt
- Have you identified positive and negative root causes in your end-of-year data?
- What are your primary root causes?
- What solution will you implement to address your primary root causes?
A school leader helps teachers embrace change and move forward toward long-term results.
“The greatest leader is not necessarily the one who does the greatest things. He is the one that gets the people to do the greatest things.” -Ronald Reagan
- How are you leading proactively and planning through change? (especially when you want to improve your results)
- How do you empower your teams to be problem solvers and embrace critical thinking?
- How do you guide your teachers to work collaboratively to achieve long-term results?
Being a school leader means being on a journey of continuous learning and growth. It's a role that demands resilience, compassion, and a deep commitment to the success of every member of our school community. Every decision we make, every policy we implement, and every interaction we have should be guided by the goal of creating a better school community.
If you’re interested in getting more assistance with helping your school achieve results, request a FREE consultation call with me. Fill in the Contact Form Link: https://debradurma.com/contact-us
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