When we created SSL seven years ago, our first commitment was to work with new Heads of School as coaches or thought partners. All of us at SSL remember those early years as heads: unsure what lay ahead, what steps we needed to take, how to work most effectively with each of the constituencies a head answers to – the leadership team, the board, faculty and staff, parents and families. Some of us had smooth transitions, eased by experienced board chairs and generous departing heads. But even in the best of circumstances, this quickly showed itself to be at times a daunting, if exciting, job.
To support new heads, and to guide our own thinking, over these seven years we have developed a “curriculum” of sorts for new heads. It is not prescriptive, but it lays out a set of dimensions of the head’s job where we try to help a new head navigate a good path. Those include:
- Leadership identity and values
- Governance – work with the Board
- Finances, Advancement and Operations
- Setting goals and managing the first year
- Communications
- Protecting yourself/making the job sustainable
Whether working with a new or experienced head, we also follow a set of key principles:
- Strict confidentiality
- A Socratic approach – asking more questions than giving answers – though glad to offer our experience and expertise when sought
- A head-driven agenda
- Keeping core values central
Having now worked over the years with more than 50 school heads, we hope we bring experience and support that can help a new – or veteran – head thrive. If this sounds appealing, please get in touch – we would be glad to talk with you.