4 Leadership Qualities Teachers want in a Principal

Teachers need their leaders to have strong leadership skills.  What specific skills do they actually need from a principal to be successful? I did a quick survey with my Facebook Leadership Group and one other teacher Facebook group. I had tons of responses.  Let’s take a look below.

Here are some of the items teachers requested in my survey.

Here are my 4 leadership qualities teachers need from us to be successful.

 A STRATEGIC THINKER

A campus leader needs to be able to strategize and problem solve.  Think differently and out of the box some times.  There’s always a way to accomplish every situation.  Some times you need to step back and see it from a different angle.  Test out new ways of handling situations.  Forge ahead.  Be a problem solver…a go-getter…challenge yourself.  Teachers need principals who think strategically. 

 AN ORGANIZED AND PREPPED-READY PRINCIPAL

 We can get more accomplished when we have our thoughts together.  Same thing goes for all of our “stuff.”  If you are OCD (self-diagnosed) like me, I have files for everything.  My files have files.  Laughing out loud.  Color-coded of course. 
Binders and folders store all my important documents.  When the school throws a curve ball in your day, you are armed with all the items at your fingertips.  Teachers need principals to have it together.  We need to be able to run an efficient and effect campus.  Free of chaos.  Being organized helps you attend meetings on time.  It sets an example for your teachers. 


 STUDENTS ALWAYS COME FIRST

Principals must always put students first.  It’s that simple.  It’s not what’s best for me.  It’s not what’s best for you.  It is what is best for the kids.  It’s not always easy.  No one said it would be.  Be a principal who isn’t afraid to take a stand and do what’s best for our students.  We, as principals, have tough decisions to make.  There are days when we will get yelled at by a parent.  A day when a teacher dislikes your decision.  Do whatever it takes.  Stand firm.  Stand tall.  Promise to put students first.  Our teachers need that.  They need us to lead and deliver.  Make a lasting impact.  Teachers need principals who put students first.

 BUILD RELATIONSHIPS

Relationships matter.  How you treat people matters.  Good leaders ensure everyone has a voice.  Keep an open mind.  When teachers have ideas, don’t shoot them down.  Don’t hold teachers back.  Give them the support they need will  help them be success.  When teachers are successful, students are successful.    Build a strong team where everyone works as partners.  When relationships are built on trust, the campus is stronger.  Great teams build each other up and the team becomes stronger.  Building relationships is one of the strongest skills related to leadership effectiveness.  If your campus is divided, chaos and tension-filled, take time to build true lasting relationships.  Teachers need principals who can build a strong unified campus.