School Leadership - Making Difficult Decisions

It is a joy being a leader when your school is growing, board members are happy, parents and students are happy, and your employees are happy. Unfortunately - utopia is rarely the case for Principals or Heads of Schools. There are times when difficult decisions need to be made relating to an important school policy, employee’s performance, student discipline issue, or parent confrontation. Every leader handles these challenging encounters differently given their personalities and leadership styles but here are a few helpful hints surrounding the process of making tough decisions:

1. Maintain a positive attitude. It is too easy to become negative when addressing hard management decisions - so make a conscious effort to stay positive through the decision-making process.
   
2. Get feedback and confidential advisement from a trusted friend, colleague, or mentor.
   
3. Create optimal communication through the process of making your challenging decision. Provide context, ensure everyone involved is always aware of next steps, ensure that there are no surprises, and be honest and open in all communications.
   
4. Don’t wait too long - it is human nature to want to put off making a difficult decision. Often times, this only makes it worse and more painful for you - and those involved in the issue. Once you know what your decision is, carry it out in a timely matter so you may move on.
   
5. Always draw from your core values, ethos, and end goals. They will help you map out your direction when it comes to making and carrying out tough decisions.
   

I love the quote “knowing is not enough - you must take action.” This is so true and is why problems within schools can multiple, fester or cause immeasurable damage when not dealt with in a thoughtful and decisive manner. Leading is not easy at times but being able to make good, difficult decisions goes a long way toward creating a school culture of excellence.