It’s been a while since I’ve written in this space.  I have spent more time with video blogs lately on Facebook and Periscope where Troy Mooney and I share leadership tips.  I wrote on Twitter earlier that leadership is a blessing and a burden, and it cannot be taken lightly.  The responsibility is great!

My sister always lets me know that leadership is not for everyone.  Sometimes I don’t know if this is true or not, but I do know that those who are leaders or managers that do not want to take on the tremendous responsibility of leadership should find something else to do.

Great leadership requires patience, empathy, courage, strength, compassion, a steady hand, and many other things.  I can remember when I got my first principal job.  I felt totally unprepared for all the things that were immediately thrown at me.    One thing I learned real quick was to treat people right and to mean what you say.

The amazing thing about being a school leader (principal) is that you get to impact so many people.  You are able to impact students, staff, and the community you serve.  These people expect you to do a few things.

• Be positive! Folks want a leader that sets a standard of positivity.  It’s certainly tough juggling so many things.  It’s easy to think about all of the bad things and the tough times, but as the leader you have to work to be positive with most interactions.
• Work hard! Yes I said it.  The principalship is tough!  And honesty everyone isn’t cut out for it.  But if you accept the challenge you have to work hard to make sure that your school is a high achieving well-oiled machine.
• Inspire excellence! As a principal you are a motivator.  You have to inspire excellence in your people.  When they get tired and down, you have to work to pump them up.  When people forget the vision, you have to remind them of where the ship is headed.  They count on you.
• Destroy Negativity! You have to be positive as a school leader, but you are also expected to destroy negativity. I encourage you to set an expectation early on of no negativity and hold people to the fire on that.  Sure, people will have tough days and will need to vent.  But a spirit of negativity shouldn’t be allowed to manifest itself in your building.  Walk around, encourage people and have mechanisms in place to find out what’s troubling people and help them fix it.
• Celebrate Success! People love to be recognized.  There are so many wonderful things happening on your campus by your staff and students!  Celebrate them.  Some celebrations are good privately, but sometimes you have to recognize folks publicly.  Never forget this
• Say yes as much as possible! When people want to do innovative things on your campus find ways to say yes.  Sure, make sure there is a plan to ensure success but make sure you have a culture of yes.  People like yes!
• Stand on your no! If you have to tell someone know be upfront with them.  Let them know the answer is no, and why your answer is no…and move on!  There will be plenty of opportunities to say yes in the future.
• Have fun! If you are a principal and are not having fun I certainly feel for you.  The job is to awesome to not enjoy it.  Find fun things to do with your staff and students.  They love to see you engaging in the activities that they do.

As we see different examples of leadership all over the place it is important as the Superintendent of Waller ISD would always say.  Keep the Main Thing the Main Thing!