Superintendency 101: Top Tips to Lead By
What are the top tips that current superintendents have for new superintendents who are taking on a daunting job leading their districts?
We posted that question to 18 superintendents who have participated in the CoSN/edWeb Empowering Superintendents Webinar Series. Series host and Project Director, Ann McMullan, asks each superintendent, “If you were teaching a course in Superintendency 101, what is the #1 piece of advice you would give a new superintendent?” The answers provide a great list for superintendents to keep posted in their office, and reflect the wide ranging responsibilities and communities that superintendents need to communicate with to lead effectively.
Superintendency 101: Top Tips to Lead By
- Everything rises and falls on leadership.
- Remember, students come first. Everything you do is for the students.
- Engage your PLN; build and maintain those relationships.
- Get involved in your PLN at the highest level you can.
- Develop your network so they can help you make better decisions and have a positive impact on your students.
- Network and maintain relationships as best you can.
- Build and maintain connections with multiple mentors, and continuously ask their advice.
- Be firmly grounded in your beliefs and philosophies. This is the foundation that you need to build upon.
- Be as transparent as you possibly can. Be who you say you are and do what you say you are going to do.
- Over communicate. Educate students, teachers, administrators, parents and the community on everything you do.
- Focus on the larger vision for your district and inspire people around you to contribute and become a part of that vision.
- Empower your team and make learning the core of all that you do.
- Hire people who share your values and work ethic.
- Create ownership in your team to prepare students for a world that does not yet exist.
- Be sure your technology department is accessible in your district.
- Only delegate when you have a complete understanding of what it is you are giving to a colleague.
- Take care of yourself first.
- Give permission to your district to dream. Support them in their ability to make those dreams happen.
The CoSN/edWeb webinar series helps current and aspiring superintendents and district leadership teams build on their knowledge, skills, and confidence in leading digital transformations.
Learn more at cosn.org/superintendents
The program is sponsored by ClassLink.
Register for upcoming webinars in the series:
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