SUCCESSFUL PRINCIPAL LEADERSHIP REQUIRES PEOPLE SKILL

JESUSA V. PUNZALAN

Great leadership is the key to success in any school. The schools should have an effective school leader. Leadership not only sets the stage for longterm achievement, but it ensures that there will be sustainability long after their gone. In a school setting, a leader, more likely the principal, must be multifaceted as they deal with other administrators, teachers, support staff, students, and parents. It is not an easy job, but the principal should have the expertise at leading the various subgroups. This will effectively work with and support every person at the school.

A school leader –principal- takes responsibility for everything that happens in the school. An effective principal should be keen to know and identify its cause if a problem arises as he sees and have the responsibility to fix it. As a school leader, he needs a realistic understanding of what is happening with the school and able to monitor and improve the various aspects of the educational process and school welfare.

Rather than just accepting the status quo, a good principal should find ways to implement good ideas. He should have the better if not best in making decisions and judgement in responding to certain situations in school. However, the success of every task in school is not solely credited to the school leader, he needs good people surrounding him to work with him. This is why he needs to have the good skills of his workforce – teachers and staff – to carry out their respective and collaborative duties and responsibilities in/ for the school. Though getting good skilled teachers is greatly the advantage for the school success, however, one point in consideration for the school workforce to be greatly effective for its advantage is the principal’s good management. The principal’s success, job satisfaction, and willingness to succeed to see his job as a school leader is by hinging his workforce to work in consonance to the school mission and vision.

Though the success of the Principal may vary in terms of strategy, temperament, and leadership style, but they all should have the common in terms of taking responsibility for the school success. This not only by hiring effective teacher but as well as leading and teaching or provide training for his school workforce for the learners’and school welfare. Another thing is having good connection or rapport with the school stakeholders in order to build a strong, good and reputable school community. Effective school leadership is not about more on giving orders. It is viewed about leading through social persuasion, personal connection and shared leadership.

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The author is Principal I at Talang High School