A good friend, who had a successful career as head of two schools, was once asked by a group of independent school trustees, “What does a head of school actually do?” His immediate response? “She is a manager of emotions.”
Of course, the job description for a head of school is broader than that. Still, amidst the challenges of increasingly anxious parents – and their understandably anxious children – boards that too often are inclined to be more operational than strategic, culture wars, AI, and social media, the description of the head of school as a manager of emotions seems more apt than ever.
But who helps the head of school manage her or his emotions?
A spouse or partner, members of the leadership team, a board chair or trustee or another head of school are all good answers. And there are complications with each.
The best answer is a coach, mentor, thought partner who is a successful former head of school. That person is the only one who truly understands the work…the life. That person can listen with understanding, can question with awareness, and can provide guidance based on experience. That is why Rick Melvoin and Vance Wilson created Strategic School Leadership. That is what attracted Drew Casertano, Carolyn Chandler, Margarita Curtis, Brad Gioia, and Marjo Talbott to join them. That is the work that we as a team are deeply committed to doing today.