I wrote the following Leadership Philosophy while completing the IB Leadership Workshop Series. As I see it, this is a working and adaptable philosophy. I have already made so many changes since its first draft. I aim to capture my beliefs about school leadership and who I would strive to be as a leader.
International schools are communities and communities are about people. I know that international school leaders need to hold people (students first) at the centre of their guidance in their role. And, because school leaders have a meaningful impact on students’ day-to-day learning experience and on the wider school community, I believe that a school leader’s role is to strive to align, inspire and influence their school community towards a shared vision in trusting, considerate, optimistic and solution-oriented ways. I believe that school leaders must strive to know how to adapt each step and use the right foot that fits best to achieve outcomes.
When I think of leaders and what leadership means to me, I think of people who make decisions and take actions that are known to have been made or done with the best possible intentions considering the circumstances. They’re trusted. I trust people (and school leaders) whose words and actions give good reason to believe IN them and the values they represent. When school leaders’ values are in alignment with putting people and learning first, trust is built. Because trust is at the centre of all human relationships, it is at the fulcrum of the role for international school leadership. School leaders must be actively mindful of the context of their interactions with others and when making decisions so they can be informed guides who are trusted to lead the way.
When I think of leaders and what leadership means to me, I think of people who make decisions and take actions that are known to have been made or done with the best possible intentions considering the circumstances. They’re trusted. I trust people (and school leaders) whose words and actions give good reason to believe IN them and the values they represent. When school leaders’ values are in alignment with putting people and learning first, trust is built. Because trust is at the centre of all human relationships, it is at the fulcrum of the role for international school leadership. School leaders must be actively mindful of the context of their interactions with others and when making decisions so they can be informed guides who are trusted to lead the way.