Just like January starts the beginning of a new calendar year, in public education, July starts the beginning of the fiscal year for districts. There are probably new faces in your district and new people in leadership roles. Now is a time to reset and refresh your goals and vision for your district. To attain your district goals, you must have an effective Board of Education, which starts with effective leadership.
At KASB, our leadership team combines decades of experience as board members, superintendents, principals, and leadership coaches to provide members with services focused on maximizing the efficiency and effectiveness of district leaders and leadership teams. You can learn more about our services by visiting the KASB website.
Leadership is often equated with being in a position of authority or simply being "in charge." However, genuine leadership extends beyond holding a title; it is the ability to influence the behavior of others, inspire a shared vision, and effect positive change. In public education, school leaders are pivotal in rallying the community to support the district's vision, shaping the future, and, most importantly, ensuring student success.
A true leader not only operates in the public eye but also works diligently behind the scenes. They can paint a brighter picture of the future and demonstrate how that future is attainable. Embracing change can be daunting as the known is often comfortable. However, leaders recognize the significance of stepping into the unknown, encouraging others to do the same. Enacting change requires pushing people out of their comfort zones and into new territories of growth and development.
Effective leaders can employ specific strategies to ensure that people embrace their vision and it is integrated successfully:
- Show Relative Advantage: Leaders articulate compelling reasons for embracing change. They demonstrate observability, allowing individuals to see and experience the benefits of the proposed change. Leaders instill confidence and understanding by visualizing the steps and desired outcomes, making the transition more manageable.
- Reduce Complexity: Simplicity is key. Leaders break down complex concepts and ideas, making them accessible to everyone involved. By eliminating unnecessary intricacies, the path toward change becomes clearer, fostering a sense of unity and purpose.
- Create Opportunities to Try: Leaders introduce pilot programs or trials to let people experience the proposed change firsthand. This hands-on approach helps address apprehensions and encourages buy-in, transforming "maybes" into enthusiastic advocates for change.
A leader recognizes that not everyone will respond the same way to their vision. The 20-60-20 rule serves as a guide: 20% will be ready to embrace change immediately, 20% will resist it adamantly, while the majority, 60%, can be swayed through future interactions. For an effective leader, individualization is key. Recognizing that each person has unique needs, concerns, and motivations, leaders tailor their approach accordingly.
This past week at the KASB Summer Leadership Institute, we visited with School Board Leaders about the changes that will happen with their board due to the upcoming election. These same principles of leading apply in helping build an effective school board as new board members take their seats. Establishing a relationship with the newly elected board members is critical to the overall success of the board. Through this relationship, trust develops, which can assist the board leaders in sharing a common vision. As the new board members see and understand the shared vision, they will understand how they can contribute to the overall success of the school district. At Summer Leadership, we discussed how the leadership of the board president and vice president dictates the culture and focus of the board. Granted, these are positions of authority, but the individual's ability to lead makes for a high-functioning board focused on student success.
Authentic leadership is not about authority but rather the ability to inspire change. Embracing the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead, school leaders should remain focused on one constant – creating an environment that nurtures and empowers students to reach their full potential.
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