Every time I have walked into a new school, in a new country, there has been a version of the same moment. A board member or a parent asks what I am going to prioritize, and they expect an answer with dates attached. Over time, I have come to appreciate the importance of understanding a school's particular circumstances before setting out a detailed plan.
The challenge is balancing the desire to establish a clear direction with the need to understand the school community. New leaders feel pressure to show movement fast, so they may naturally focus on the most visible aspects of school operations, from schedules and reporting structures to established traditions. But these elements often reflect a school's history and the needs of the community it serves.
Why the Instinct Is so Strong
A new head of school is expected to provide direction and demonstrate leadership. Staff, parents and board members naturally want to understand the priorities of a new administration. Yet effective leadership also requires taking the time to understand the people, relationships and traditions that define a school community.
My experience across different countries and school systems has reinforced the importance of that balance. A school is not a set of processes you can evaluate from an org chart. It is a set of relationships and histories that took years to form, and the reasons behind established practices are not always immediately apparent. Moving across different countries and school systems taught me this faster than staying in one place would have. What looks inefficient in one context may serve an important purpose in another.
What I Do Instead
I spend the first stretch of any new role asking questions about the school's established practices and the experiences of the people who make up its community. Why does this exist? Who does it serve? What happened the last time someone tried to change it? The answers help provide context for understanding how the school operates and where opportunities for improvement may exist.
I also recognize that different situations call for different approaches. Some decisions require immediate attention, while others benefit from broader consultation and a more gradual process. The key is understanding the circumstances and making informed decisions that reflect the needs of the school community.
Trust is an important part of this process. When staff understand the reasoning behind a decision and have opportunities to contribute their perspectives, they are better positioned to support its implementation. Building those relationships helps create a shared sense of purpose around a school's direction.
The Value of Perspective
One of the lessons I have taken from working in different educational systems is that leadership requires both confidence and openness to new perspectives. Experience provides a valuable foundation, but every school has its own culture, priorities and expectations. Understanding those differences is an important part of leading effectively.
If I had one piece of advice for someone stepping into a school leadership role for the first time, it would be this: take the time to understand the community you are joining. Learn about its traditions, its strengths and the perspectives of the people who contribute to its success. That understanding can provide a stronger foundation for the decisions and priorities that follow.
