The problem school administrators face isn’t with leadership. It’s the inability to properly implement distribution of leadership.
Do you ever get to the end of your day and wonder where did the time go? Do you often find your workload is exclusive to the supervision and leadership of others with little time left to focus on your personal responsibilities?
While other HR personnel normally supervise 5-15 people, the average school principal oversees the performance and development of 37 teachers, not including non-instructional staff. With such a big responsibility, no wonder school leaders are concerned with making sure they hire the right people the first time.
With the right people in place, school leaders can share responsibilities and empower their team at the same time.
Distributing responsibilities, both physically and psychologically, relieves a load of administrative duties, while providing constant leadership development for educators.
Empowering all teachers–not just a select few– leads to strengthened leadership capacity and fosters a school community of support and appreciation.
5 Ways to Implement Distributive Leadership
1. Rotate leadership responsibilities
Make sure every person gets a chance to set agendas and take responsibility for a conversation they are leading. Whether facilitating a school-wide meeting or setting up budgets for departments, taking ownership is an essential leadership skill to master.
2. Hire well
You are responsible for creating a team-based environment so do not shortcut the hiring process. Make sure to get everyone involved during this time to ensure that the new hire has the same level of commitment and goals you are trying to encompass.
3. Don’t micromanage!
Teachers are entrusted with the lives of children every day by their parents so why is it so challenging to trust them with other decision-making responsibilities? As a strong leader, you should be able to let go of some control and let others take the lead.
4. Allow opportunities for assessment
Focus teachers on improving their teaching and leadership techniques by providing them hands-on, day-to-day coaching and support. Giving feedback will help teachers develop their skills while creating a cohesive vision. We already do this with students but often forget that adults can use feedback as well.
5. Make success—big and small—visible and irresistible
Who doesn’t want to be recognized for their work? By celebrating the little victories, you are keeping up a positive morale and making everyone feel appreciated.
