Summary for Educators: “What School Leaders Would Say to Themselves If They Could Go Back in Time”

By Alex Shultz, Edutopia — August 21, 2025 Original article: Edutopia

Reflecting on the Journey

In the Edutopia article, principal contributors from across the United States offer one retrospective insight they’d share with their younger selves upon becoming school leaders. Rather than urging new leaders to “hit the ground running,” the most recurring counsel centers on slowing down—emphasizing patience, intentionality, and reflection over immediate action.

Key Reflections from Veteran Principals

1. “Be patient.” While energy and momentum matter, seasoned leaders advise against rushing into decisions. Leadership is a marathon, not a sprint. Building trust with staff, understanding school culture, and establishing meaningful routines takes time. Rushing often undermines long-term gains.

2. Build Relationships First Establishing authentic connections with teachers, families, and community members sets the stage for both instructional change and morale. New leaders often find success when they spend time listening, learning, and demonstrating empathy rather than immediately implementing top-down mandates.

3. Prioritize Purposeful Listening Many principals wish they had leaned into intentional listening habits—from structured “listening tours” to daily informal check-ins. Listening cultivates trust, grounds decision-making in reality, and signals care for both staff and students.

4. Focus on the Big Picture Avoid getting bogged down in tasks that fail to align with the school’s core mission. Veteran leaders often caution against overextending—even well-intentioned initiatives can distract from meaningful educational goals. Instead, anchor decisions in what truly moves the school forward.

5. Build Support Networks Many leaders reflected that they underestimated the power of peer networks and mentorship. Developing a community of support—whether through other principals, professional groups, or informal alliances—provides much-needed guidance, perspective, and encouragement, especially during stressful seasons.

Implications for Educators and Aspiring Leaders

• School Leadership Simulation: Encourage emerging leaders to role-play scenarios where “slowing down” leads to better stakeholder buy-in and sustainable change.

• Listening as Leadership: Make “listening tours” a staple in induction plans for new administrators. Provide frameworks for gathering insights from staff, students, and families.

• Mission-Minded Planning: Support leaders with tools to align plans and projects to their school’s vision, ensuring coherence amidst external demands.

• Peer Support Culture: Create structured mentorship and principal peer support systems to nurture well-being, resilience, and strategic clarity.

Why It Matters

This reflective wisdom underscores that leadership is not about momentum alone, but about sustainable impact. By modeling patience, prioritizing relationships, listening earnestly, keeping focus, and seeking support, school leaders cultivate environments where learning—not just initiatives—thrives.

Original Article

Citation: Shultz, A. (2025, August 21). What School Leaders Would Say to Themselves If They Could Go Back in Time. Edutopia. Retrieved from: https://www.edutopia.org/article/what-school-leaders-would-say-to-t...

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Prepared with the assistance of AI software

OpenAI. (2025). ChatGPT (4) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com