The world of education is rapidly changing and will continue to change.  Great educational leaders can spot these shifts and steer the school or district in the right direction. However, it is amazing how many leaders resist modifying even the most basic components of their schools or districts because they believe in the “if it isn’t broke, don’t fix it” philosophy.

Open Your Mind, and Imagine the Possibilities

While this may work shortly, school districts and their leaders that resist developing, learning, and adapting will be left behind as the time passes. To be an effective educational leader, you must be willing to learn and try new things.

So, how can an educational leader who is closed-minded become more open-minded? Education officials frequently need decades to become open-minded. Consider how you felt when you first began teaching. Consider all of the emerging innovations, tactics, and technologies being developed at the time. As were most young teachers, you were open to new ideas and interested in learning about these new technologies and trends.

If your principal was considerably older than you, it was likely difficult for them to adjust to the new system. I am sure they were quite narrow-minded and adamant about doing things conservatively. They were presumably kept in that posture before they were no longer useful, at which point they were probably discarded.  Isn’t it interesting how history keeps repeating itself? You have lost enthusiasm for new ideas and have morphed into the principal with whom you started your career. Sigh. You vowed to yourself that this would never happen to you.

Concluding Thoughts

Do you truly want to be in that situation? Then bounce out of it and begin to accept the present, using all the innovations and advancements available to you. You will be more effective if you are inventive since combining old school expertise with new school competence. Everyone wins ultimately.