It is simple…being a leader is tough! What ever your level of leadership, it is a difficult job. Dont get me wrong, I ABSOLUTELY love being a leader, in fact, my ambition is to become an assistant head within the next 3/4 years.
It is only from being a leader (Head of Faculty in my case) that I have learnt how difficult the job is. Being responsible for the subject, and the subjects in your faculty. For dealing with the incidents with students and interacting with parents; supporting your staff and also not accepting below par performance. But the hardest part of the job is the fine balancing act that all leaders must face. I really enjoy it, and I have learnt so much from being a leader at my current school. They really expect a lot of the middle leaders, and I thrive on this. Yes, I have made mistakes (and still do), but I do learn from them and adapt my practice. I really value my team, and try to praise as often and appropriately as possible – something that I still need to develop.
By far, managing people in an education environment is tough, but amazingly rewarding. Developing the different relationships with different people in the work environment has been a real challenge, but I love every minute. You have to lead from the front, ‘walk the walk’ as they say. You have to develop your team, challenge all staff toward top performance and raise aspirations and standards. This is always tough, and a great element of the job.
It would be safe to say, that I have a real interest in leadership and staff management – both The Schools Network course and my MEd qualifications are both in leadership.
I sought advice from senior staff and other leaders whom I have a relationship with. The advice I recieved was varied, but all was extremely beneficial to me developing my own style. This is key. You can model yourself on anyone you wish, copy as much good practice as you can, but you will always develop your own style – certianly in my experience. My personality and my values and ethics entwine with the leaderships skills and staff management and a new, personlaised leadership style develops – one that is my own.
I do hope that staff know that leaders are people at the end of the day – any leader worth their salt, just wants the best for the students, their staff and the school, in terms of experience and results. Tough decisions have to be made, that not all staff like, and leaders need rhino skin sometimes to get through these times. All staff have feelings, leaders too!
@RPUffendell 