Originally published on medium.com
Educational leaders are cornerstones on which schools, universities, communities, and even businesses function and grow. Effective leaders in educational situations become active incubators of learning.
An effective educational leader is someone who does everything in his or her power to create an educational environment where all contributing factors such as staff, students, and educators, can prosper.
Kevin Dalby is a professor at The University of Texas at Austin. As an employee of a place where students are not only educated but challenged, nurtured, and encouraged, Dr. Dalby, shares four key factors he finds that contribute to creating effective educational leadership.
1. Positivity and high standards
Successful education programs have leaders who hold positive beliefs and high expectations. Effective leadership embodies an institutional culture with a positive mindset that clearly shows how obstacles can be beatable, and goals can be achievable. Even if there is a lack of parent or community involvement, leaders do not diminish their students’ standards due to outside environmental factors. Instead, they build up students with encouragement to be a positive influence on the community. Effective leaders make sure to instill in each student that they are high achievers regardless of the world around them, and holding themselves to these high standards will lead to the ultimate success that they envision.
2. Keep scheduling a priority
Effective educational leaders identify scheduling as a critical factor in their success. A quality, thought-out schedule creates a foundation for a smooth-flowing educational environment as well as prepared educators. Effective leaders hold strong scheduling skills to be ready to make any necessary immediate or long-term adjustments to achieve optimal outcomes. Setting a schedule ahead of time allows other educators to prepare for what is required of them mentally and to work successfully as a team. With a shared vision of operation, an educational environment can continue to maximize effectiveness during education instruction time for students regardless of any issues or inevitable emergencies that might occur.
3. Quality problem-solving skills
Any leadership position runs into problematic situations daily. An effective leader stands out because they attempt to be an efficient problem solver. Educational leaders will run into many unique problems, and often ones they are not prepared for or have seen in the past. Effective educational leadership reflects positively through the exercise of quality problem-solving skills by practicing patience, proactive and transparent communication and listening expertise, and thinking outside the box.
4. Practice selflessness
To be an effective leader in an educational environment, an individual has to practice selflessness. It is a humbling experience for a leader to realize to lead others, his or her best interest must be second compared to those he or she is leading. An effective leader is present whenever they are needed, regardless of the personal time they might have to sacrifice. Being present also requires a leader to be a reliable resource for others by staying visible and accessible. By being a positive presence that is ready to offer a helping hand in any situation helps an educational setting thrive.