23 Jun 2016
Leaders who are prepared to go out on the edge, leaders who are prepared to test the theory and the practice, leaders who argue the proposition and lead change in a sustainable way. It's not about the answers, it's about the powerful questions needed to design these new learning communities. Given that there is no one size fits all we need leaders who can live with diversity and continual change, because to change is to grow.
Next generation leading requires an entrepreneurial approach – it requires looking beyond the next five years; seeing the infinite possibilities and making it happen. Being able to lead by example, to lead by doing, to lead by learning, to lead by teaching are just some of the hallmarks of 21st leaders. As Wayne Gretzky, Canada's most famous ice hockey player, observed when asked about his success, he responded that he never sought to go to where the puck is but to where it will be.
Recently, Australia's oldest independent school, The King's School, appointed a new principal with an MBA and just a few years experience as a classroom teacher. To some this may seem like a radical departure for the career teacher working their way up through the ranks of coordinator, AP and Principal. The nature of education is changing and so too must the role of teachers and school leaders. Looking to school leaders who also have private sector management experience and other relevant expertise makes sense.
Today's school and community leaders need a different skillset to the managerial or administrative skillset that defined their role in the past. A contemporary skillset includes creativity, collaboration, curiosity, adaptability and problem-solving. A ‘new school' leader must be an outstanding communicator, make connections and manage relationships, be an entrepreneur and willing transform, not just improve, his or her community.
Nobody knows what the future will look like. What we need to do is build the school for today that understands that the future will be different and is therefore open to adapt and change. Ultimately as a profession, we need to learn the future - and that's the exciting part of the work we do.