This is by far the most important post I’ve ever written.
I have read a lot of leadership books in the last 6 months. They have all been inspiring. I have a list of some the books I’ve read on my resource page.
Most of the books have been about leaders in business. They are written, for the most part, for people who want to start a business or want to be more successful in business. Most of these business leaders are millionaires. Their leadership has brought them financial rewards. When they retire, they are given large retirement packages that allow them to live in luxury for the rest of their lives.
As school administrators, we are not running a for-profit business where we get paid based on the sale of a product or service. Making more money for our “company” is not our focus.
Yet, I have come to realize that school administrators are among the most important people in society. Our efforts will have a direct impact on what kind of world our kids and grandkids will live in.
“Really, Sam?”
Yes. When I began to understand this statement, it further convinced me that I not only have to keep learning and growing as a school administrator, but I also need to continue to share what I’m learning on this blog. The more I thought about it, the more I realized that our work has a far greater impact on the success of our society than some of the companies run by millionaire CEOs.
That is why I’m writing this post – to articulate why school administrators are so essential to our society – our world.
I know that sounds really out there, but if you’re a school administrator, you’re probably going to want a raise after you read this.
As school administrators, we are responsible for the students enrolled on our campus. We are more than just managers of an organization of workers. Our job is to ensure that students on our campus receive the highest quality education available. That is a gargantuan responsibility if you think about it.
Students on our campus need to be prepared for success not only while they are enrolled in our school, but after they leave us as well.
If our students are not successful, I believe, we have not done our job as school administrators.
That is a bold statement, I know, but just like we are apt to blame the teacher if a student is not getting good grades in his/her class, we need to accept the blame for the failure of a student on our campus. That’s why we get paid the big bucks. Right?
But, think about what happens if we really do our job well. What if we become like one of the millionaire leaders that we read about in books? What if we become one of those leaders who use their position of influence to inspire our team members (teachers) to go above and beyond what’s required to produce an amazing and valuable product (students)?
What effect on society would a highly qualified and motivated graduating class of students have?
We all know the statistics. We know how full our prisons are. We hear about how the homeless population is growing. We run into former students all the time who are just not being as successful as we hoped they would be when they were in our classes.
What went wrong?
Is it possible to consider that the problems with our society are due in part to the failure of our schools and educational system?
That’s why what we do is so crucial.
The future of our society depends on the quality of people who are coming out of our educational system – the students graduating from our schools.
That is why I can never stop learning and growing as a school administrator. That is why I have to keep sharing what I’m learning on my blog. The future of society depends on it.
I know what you’re thinking: “You’re getting carried away, Sam.”
Maybe, but when you think about it, we have a greater role in what happens to our society than we may think.
What if we don’t do a good job as school administrators?
What if we don’t inspire our teachers to provide a quality education to our students?
What if we don’t hold poor-performing teachers accountable?
What if we don’t create an environment where students are successful?
What if we don’t keep learning and growing as leaders?
Like in business, if we don’t do a good job as leaders, then the product we produce will be mediocre or worse.
Do you see the correlation?
I don’t know how many current or future school administrators are reading this post. I don’t know if you’re reading this a day after I’ve posted it or years after I’ve posted it. I only hope that I can help to inspire you to recognize the importance of your role in the grand scheme of things. School administrators do so much more than keep a school up and running. Your efforts are having an impact on the future of our society. You should definitely get paid more. Can I get an “Amen?”
So how do we, as school administrators, ensure that our society will be better for our kids and grandkids long after we’re gone?
Here are some suggestions:
- Keep learning. Every great leader that I read about is always learning. They read voraciously. Make time to read books about leadership. I know you have limited time, but even thirty minutes a day will be time well-invested.
- Ensure quality instruction is taking place at your school. This means you have to investigate to make sure this is happening. Visit classrooms. Have crucial conversations with teachers. Reward excellence.
- Share the vision. Great companies have more than product sales as their motivation. They have a world-improving purpose, and they promote that purpose every chance they get to inspire their employees and to create a loyal following.
- Gather feedback. You can’t improve if you don’t know what’s wrong. Ask your parents, teachers, students about weaknesses. Then take action.
- Remind yourself daily of why you do what you do. It’s easy to get caught up in all the school drama, the reports, the meetings, etc. We need to remember that we do work that matters. Our work matters not only to our staff or community or district. Our work matters to our world. How many CEOs can say that about their company?
- Follow this blog. I’m committed to learn as much as I can about leadership. I’m committed to share what I’m learning on this blog and soon, on a podcast. Again, our role as school administrators is so important to our future. This blog is my way of making a contribution to its success.
No, we’ll probably never get to purchase our own island or put a down payment on a 30-room mansion, but we don’t do it for the money. This is our calling. This is our mission in life. I hope you’re nodding your head.
Just let me remind you again. We are doing work that matters. We are creating the future of our society every day. Let’s do it to the best of our abilities.
I am proud to call myself a school administrator.
Thank you for all you do to make our world a better place. .
I would love to hear what you think.
What leadership book would you recommend I read? What else can I do on this blog to help you be more successful?
If you know of a colleague who needs to be reminded of the impact he/she is making in the world, please share this post.
Until next time, here’s to your journey toward School Administration Mastery!
Thank you,
Sam