By Dr. Paul Teys
Aspiring and emerging leaders often picture leadership as a position, a title, or a grand moment of decision. But great leadership is built quietly—day by day, action by action, conversation by conversation. It’s not about having all the answers. It’s about showing up consistently, staying curious, and leading with both courage and humility.
1. The Daily Practice of Leadership
Leadership isn’t something you achieve—it’s something you practice. The leaders who thrive in schools today aren’t just administrators. They’re culture-builders, trust-weavers, and future-shapers. They reflect daily, stay grounded in their values, and adapt to changing demands.
Ask yourself daily – What did I do today to build trust, clarity, or momentum?
The most effective school leaders –
- Balance authority with vulnerability
- Build strong relationships through empathy and listening
- Embrace continuous growth and reflective practice
2. Avoiding Leadership Pitfalls
Many leaders unintentionally undermine their impact. Seven common leadership traps (adapted from “The Seven Sins of CEOs”) can derail even the most well-meaning leaders –
| The Trap | How It Shows Up | What to Do Instead |
| Micromanaging | Stifling initiative and creativity | Delegate with trust and set clear expectations |
| Lack of transparency | Confusion, gossip, misalignment | Communicate early, clearly, and consistently |
| Avoiding tough decisions | Paralysis and poor morale | Make timely, courageous choices |
| Neglecting toxic behaviour | Culture erosion, staff turnover | Address issues fairly and quickly |
| Resisting change | Stagnation and irrelevance | Promote curiosity, innovation, and learning |
| Doing too much | Burnout and poor decisions | Prioritise, empower others, and protect focus |
| Not developing people | Plateaued teams and high turnover | Coach, recognise, and invest in your people |
None of these mistakes define you if you learn from them. The best leaders reflect, course-correct, and keep growing.
3. Leadership is Built in Small Moments
Don’t underestimate the power of small actions. The best leaders –
- Say thank you, publicly and privately
- Share learning moments with their teams
- Pause to ask, “What do you think?” instead of always leading from the front
- Protect team time and priorities
- Communicate clearly, calmly, and with care
These micro-actions create the conditions for high performance, deep trust, and long-term culture shifts. As one paper noted – “The best leaders don’t need to shout to be heard.”
4. Your Challenge – Start Today
Ask yourself –
- What’s one small leadership habit I can begin today?
- What do I need to stop doing that may be holding my leadership back?
- How can I show up for my team with more presence, clarity, and care?
Leadership is not a destination—it’s a daily commitment to growth.
For Reflection –
Which small leadership habit will you implement this week?
How will you model the leadership your school community needs—today, not someday?
Let’s build the future of education one thoughtful leader at a time.
Dr Paul Teys
09.04.2025
