BLOOM WHERE YOU ARE PLANTED

School principals are given the authority to manage a school for a maximum of five years. With that duration of time, they have the power to make a difference in a certain school assigned to them. Tough and wise ones enjoy their stay and victoriously celebrate their success in accomplishing their goal. Sadly, there are some who gives up and bent over the challenges they face and ask for a transfer, which is the easiest way out.

Hats off to those leaders who really works hard to excel in the school where they are installed. The characters of a great leader are well practiced. It would take good working relationship to stakeholders, like the students, teachers especially the parents who become a support system of a public school. It would take appropriate decision making skills to employ innovations and creativity. To inspire subordinates to work with gladness and to empower them to bring out the best in them is another quality to emulate among these successful leaders. There are a lot more traits which can be added to the list such as being a good communicator, being a visionary leader, being a optimistic and the list goes on.

On the other hand, a great push is needed by those leaders whose instant solution to a complicated problem is to escape or to move to another station with different people to work with, in a different setting. Though in reality, public school setting will always be the same. It’s just how we look at the different perspectives of the setting and how we turn negative scenarios into positive ones.

Bloom where you are planted. Take a look at the opportunities available at hand and start working on developing these. Sometimes we may be focusing only on the flaws of the teachers without looking at their strengths that are waiting to be cultivated. As a school head, one would have to know the people he/she is working with, their strong points, skills, talents and even their personal life. Knowing all these will help in tapping them and help them give their best. Assign tasks which will bring out the best in them, thus giving them the chance to shine.

Recognizing them by giving awards will also boost their morale, hence helping them build confidence. Learn to be generous in giving praises publicly but reprimand privately, this way the teacher will feel respected. Commendations and compliments must be given with all honesty and truthfully.

It’s not always easy starting to lead a school with an existing culture, where people have their own ways in doing things and stuck to those ways for a long period of time. However, if sincerity in serving is seen in their leader, if the passion in work is shown, if commitment is visible in his/her actions and if character is displayed, then there is no reason why a leader will not bloom in the place where he/she is planted.

— oOo—

I Sto. Tomas National High School

Principal