10 Things I Think a New School Leader Needs to Hear

1.  Everyone will assume you’re ready—even if you’re not.

There’s no on-ramp. You get the keys, the school, and the pressure. This will hit you but you won’t talk to anyone about it. 

2.  You’ll carry emotional weight no one sees.

You’ll absorb fear, anger, and doubt from everyone—then go home and pretend everything’s fine.

3.  You’re expected to have answers for systems no one trained you to run.

Instruction, discipline, morale, community—all at once. And fast.

4.  Support won’t come unless you ask for it.

Superintendents assume silence means “I’m good.” Ask early. Ask often.

5.  Your APs are watching you more than your teachers.

You’re not just leading staff. You’re modeling leadership. From the way you dress to your arrival time. People are watching you the whole time.

6.  A school year is won in the first 30 days.

If you don’t set the tone and systems early, the rest of the year becomes an uphill climb you just never conquer. You can do it with a focus and energy.

7.  Trust is built in your follow-up.

Staff won’t believe what you say. They’ll believe what you come back to. Take notes and reflect often.

8.  Culture shows up in the hallway, not the handbook.

Listen to the transitions. You’ll hear exactly what your school is becoming. Be a human microphone as you walk the hallways.

9.  Feedback is leadership—not evaluation.

Every coaching moment is a trust-building or trust-breaking moment. Have those meetings. Talk to your teachers in their classrooms during instruction. That’s what instructional coaching is all about.

10.  You’re not supposed to do this alone.

Find a coach. A guide. A mentor. A sounding board. Because the job is heavy—and too important to figure out while faking it.