“We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us; prophecy, in proportion to faith; ministry, in ministering; the teacher, in teaching; the exhorter, in exhortation; the giver, in generosity; the leader, in diligence; the compassionate, in cheerfulness.”
— Romans 12:6-8
Leadership
Being a school principal is not about power, but responsibility. A principal is responsible for the well being of his or her school community. Getting to know the names of teachers, staff, and students can be a challenge in a large Catholic school. Participating in opportunities for welcoming members of your school community will help in recognizing faces as well as helping people feel recognized. Hospitality is an essential part of leadership, as it is the responsibility of the leader to make others feel welcome and able to appreciate their own worth.
To be an authentic Catholic school leader, a principal must continue to grow spiritually. This requires setting aside time for personal learning, experiencing, and relating to others. These needs can be overshadowed by administrative responsibilities.
It is important to find time for retreats, formal and informal, to open oneself to a spiritual, emotional mindset to balance the rigors of leadership. Time spent with a good book, a motivating video, or peaceful music is time well spent.
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