Everyone remembers their favourite teacher. But what actually made them a good teacher?
Was it…
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- Great communication skills
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- Always listened to your ideas
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- Empathetic approach
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- Patience in all situations
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- Ability to adapt to all situations
The traits developed as a teacher (or another educational role) can translate directly to the skills needed for those leadership roles. As a natural pathway from teaching, these key skills and traits are completely transferable to those educational leadership positions…
Whether the role is:
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- Course leader
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- Assistant headteacher
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- Headteacher
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- Department lead
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- Principal
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- Deputy head
For aspiring senior leaders in education, and those already on that educational pathway… This blog will outline the key skills of leadership talent and why having incredible leaders in your workplace can impact the general culture and environment massively.
We’ve got all the tips to help you excel in your career and plan your next steps when looking at the senior leadership opportunities on the market.
The 5 key skills of a great education senior leader
Here are the tips you need to be the best leader you can in your school
- See the bigger picture
- The ability to lead authentically
- A commitment to working hard
- Recognition of the importance of work/life balance
- The courage to give honest feedback
1. See the bigger picture
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- “A leader is one who sees more than others see, who sees farther than others see and who sees before others see.”
Having your school’s ‘big picture’, mission and values at the forefront of your mind at all times is crucial as a senior leader. Every decision should align with your greater vision – ask yourself: does this align with the vision I see for this school? Are our teams driven by our mission and values?
Get clear on the vision and goals for your school – this will help to direct…
2. The ability to lead authentically
Every leader is different – and difference is what is going to make you successful! Striving to be the best version of yourself whilst ensuring you stay true to your values and trusting yourself with decisions. Being your most authentic self in turn will develop trust within your teams and prove you to be an impactful leader.
3. A commitment to working hard
As a pillar of the school culture – leaders should be committed to their role, and the goals that they have for themselves and their teams. To get the best out of your teams – you have to show that you are willing and determined to get the projects done, and work as hard as they work. Show that you are committed to success and pave the way for your teams.
4. Recognition of the importance of work/life balance
Creating a sustainable working model is crucial to not only looking after and maintaining your health – but also setting a good example for your colleagues and teams. Ensuring you adhere to an achievable work/life balance and encourage your team members to do the same is so important for employee wellbeing and satisfaction.
5. The courage to give honest feedback
“Honesty is always the best policy” – we hear this a lot, but in terms of feedback as a senior leader… it really is!
Communication is key when in a leadership position, but mainly having the courage to give honest (and at times harsh) feedback is really important to develop good relationships with your teams and create an open and honest environment. Honest feedback, whether positive or negative, if coming from a place of respect and understanding, will have the most positive outcome.
These are just some of the key skills needed for senior leadership positions. For full details on the skills to work on, find our details at the end of the blog!
Why having the right leader for a school is so important
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- “Leaders don’t create followers, they create more leaders.”
As a leader, you have the power, and opportunity, to inspire your teams and future leaders. A successful leader will naturally create other leaders along their journey.
A great leader will:
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- Bring out the best abilities in your team/colleagues
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- Motivate and inspire the rest of the school
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- Create a positive work environment
Having inspirational and impactful senior leaders in school affects the whole environment and can be the difference between an attractive place of work – and somewhere that candidates avoid.
Be the reason someone would want to apply to your school!
How can senior leaders prepare themselves?
If you’re looking to step up to that senior leadership position, here’s some tips to prepare yourself and get ahead of the game, no matter what stage you’re at:
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- Shadow senior leaders in your school
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- Emulate the role that you want
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- Be visible to the leadership team and the general staff
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- Look at the job description and note what you need to upskill in
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- Get involved with school improvement/extra projects
These are great ideas to get the ball rolling when thinking of the leadership career roadmap. Discussing your career goals with someone in the role already, or your current manager, is also a positive move towards that future leadership role.
Why register with an executive search firm to find a leadership position?
At M/LK search, we can help you on your journey to senior leadership and support you with getting your ideal educational role when the time comes. Or, if you’re currently a senior leader but are interested in hearing about new opportunities – get in touch!
Work with us for an easy, speedy and stress-free application process! Read about the benefits of working with an executive search firm here.
Call us on 0113 418 0500 or info@mlk-search.co.uk to register with us, or if you would like more info on what a partnership with us could look like.
