Starting a new role as a school leader marks an exciting new chapter filled with opportunities and challenges. The first week back with your staff is pivotal for setting the tone for the entire year. It’s a time when your leadership style, vision, and approach will begin to take shape. How you navigate this initial period can significantly impact the culture and success of your school. This blog post outlines five key strategies to help you make a strong start, build positive Relationships, and set clear expectations.

1. Build Relationships and Set Clear Goals

Your initial focus should be on building meaningful connections with your staff. Strong relationships are the bedrock of effective leadership. Schedule time for one-on-one meetings and informal interactions to understand your team’s strengths, concerns, and aspirations. Use these interactions to introduce your vision for the school year. Clearly articulate what success looks like and communicate your expectations with transparency. Brene Brown’s principle that “Clear is kind” underscores the importance of Clarity. By being explicit about your goals and modeling these expectations in your behavior, you create a foundation of trust and direction.

2. Communicate Your Vision and Expectations

Effective communication is essential in establishing your leadership. Start by presenting a clear, bold vision for the future of the school. Outline where you see the school heading in the next year and two years. It’s important to be specific about your expectations for staff roles and performance. Avoid being overly nitpicky, but ensure your expectations are well-defined and align with your vision. Demonstrate these expectations through your own actions—punctuality, consistency, and transparency should be evident in your day-to-day activities.

3. Assess and Adapt to the School Culture

To make informed decisions, you must first understand the existing culture and climate of your school. Approach this process with a mindset of listening and learning. Your staff members have valuable insights into the current dynamics and areas for improvement. Avoid making immediate changes without fully grasping the context. Lean on the feedback from your leadership team and key staff members to guide your actions and adapt your approach effectively.

4. Organize and Prioritize Your Time

Effective time management is crucial during your first week. Utilize tools like Clear for visual task management and create a structured schedule with blocked time for key activities. Keep meetings short and focused to maximize your availability for staff interactions. Daily check-ins with your secretary are important to stay organized and focused on your priorities. Additionally, adjust your Technology settings to minimize distractions and maintain your focus on essential tasks.

5. Lean into Positive School Culture

Creating a positive school climate begins with intentional practices and visible leadership. Recognize and reward behaviors that align with your vision, and make yourself available to support your staff. Your presence and approachability can significantly influence the school environment. Consider initiating a staff-wide book study on a relevant professional development book, such as “Road to Awesome: The Journey of a Leader.” This can foster a culture of continuous learning and provide a shared framework for growth.

Conclusion

Your first week as a school leader is a critical period that sets the stage for the rest of the year. By focusing on building relationships, communicating your vision, cultivating a positive culture, managing your time effectively, and understanding the existing school climate, you can lay a strong foundation for successful leadership. Embrace this opportunity to connect with your team, set clear expectations, and lead with purpose. Your proactive approach during this initial phase will help create a supportive environment where both staff and students can thrive throughout the school year.

Have a #RoadToAwesome week

Darrin

Tune in this Sunday to “Leaning into Leadership” where I will team up again with Joshua Stamper from the Aspire to Lead podcast. We are joining forces to share leadership insights running parallel with the topic of this post.

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Darrin Peppard Dr. Darrin Peppard

Dr. Darrin Peppard is an author, leadership coach, consultant, and speaker focused on organizational culture and climate, and growing emerging leaders. Darrin is the best-selling author of the book Road to Awesome, and is the host of the Leaning into Leadership podcast. As a ‘recovering high school principal’, Darrin shares strategies and lessons learned from 26 years in public education to help leaders gain clarity, find joy in their work, and walk in their purpose.