30 January 2025
In today’s rapidly changing educational landscape, school leaders are tasked with more than simply managing day-to-day operations. They are visionaries, change agents and community builders who must guide their schools through a complex array of challenges, from improving student outcomes to fostering equity and inclusion.
Increasingly, school leaders are being called upon to adopt the strategic mindset of a business CEO – balancing educational leadership with business acumen. For both established school leaders and those aspiring to lead, coaching has emerged as a powerful tool for personal growth and organisational transformation.
Coaching goes beyond traditional professional development by focusing on the unique, personal journey of each leader. It allows leaders to cultivate their authentic leadership style, maximise the potential of their teams and ultimately, drive positive outcomes for the entire school community.
Anderson Quigley is partnering with Martin Knights, CEO and Founder of Coaching4Schools, to provide school leaders with additional support. There are a number of coaching programmes available – whether you’re a seasoned leader, or just starting your leadership journey, coaching is a valuable investment in the future of education. It enables school leaders to rise to the challenge of modern educational leadership – creating schools where students, staff and the broader community can thrive.
Martin shares some of the positive outcomes of coaching for school leaders:
Leading with Authenticity
Authentic leadership is a concept that has gained much traction in recent years, particularly in the education sector. Authentic leaders remain true to their beliefs, values and purpose, even in the face of challenges. They build trust with their staff, students and the broader school community by being transparent, honest and open about their decision-making processes. Coaching plays a critical role in helping school leaders develop this authenticity.
In a coaching relationship, the leader is encouraged to reflect on their personal values and motivations. Through guided conversations, leaders explore the alignment between their internal beliefs and their outward actions. This self-awareness is key to becoming an authentic leader. When a school leader leads from a place of authenticity, it strengthens their credibility and fosters a culture of trust within the school. Staff members feel more connected to a leader who is genuine and this trust translates into higher levels of collaboration and engagement.
However, authenticity doesn’t mean ignoring the strategic, business-oriented side of leadership. Much like a CEO, a school leader must balance their personal values with the practical demands of running a complex organisation. This includes financial management, human resources and long-term planning to name a few. Coaching can help school leaders navigate this balancing act – allowing them to stay true to their mission while making the tough decisions that come with the role.
Thinking Like a CEO / Strategic Leadership in Education
Today’s school leaders are no longer just educators; they are CEOs of their schools. The business world has long embraced the importance of strategic leadership – aligning vision with execution, driving performance through metrics and building sustainable organisations. School leaders must increasingly adopt these same principles to navigate the complexities of modern education. Coaching encourages school leaders to think more strategically, sharpening their ability to make data-driven decisions, manage resources effectively and anticipate future challenges.
A key aspect of thinking like a CEO is understanding that leadership extends beyond the classroom and into every aspect of the organisation. This includes managing budgets, ensuring operational efficiency and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. School leaders must keep their eyes on the big picture, ensuring that every decision moves the organisation closer to its long-term goals. Coaching helps leaders develop these skills, providing a safe space to discuss strategic planning, resource allocation and stakeholder management.
For aspiring leaders, this mindset shift is critical. Coaching offers a framework for developing business-oriented leadership skills early in their careers. By learning to approach school leadership with the same strategic lens that a CEO would, aspiring leaders are better prepared to tackle the financial, operational and political challenges of leading a school.
Getting the Best from the Team
Effective school leadership is not about doing everything alone. It’s about empowering others to contribute their best work, collaborate effectively and share in the leadership of the school. Coaching prompts leaders to develop the skills needed to bring out the best in their teams by focusing on communication, collaboration and empowerment.
One of the key benefits of coaching is that it encourages school leaders to adopt a growth mindset not just for themselves but for their entire team. Leaders learn to view challenges as opportunities for collective problem-solving and professional development. Coaching often includes strategies for fostering a culture of professional growth within the school, such as providing regular feedback, supporting continuous learning and encouraging innovation – qualities that are essential for any organisation’s success.
In a business context, CEOs often focus on building high-performing teams that can operate autonomously and innovate. Similarly, school leaders must create an environment where teachers and staff feel empowered to take ownership of their roles. Coaching helps leaders hone their communication skills, which are essential for motivating and inspiring their teams. A coach can work with a leader to develop techniques for active listening, clear communication and constructive feedback. These skills ensure that team members feel heard, valued and supported in their roles, which in turn drives better outcomes for the entire school.
For aspiring leaders, developing these skills early on is essential. By approaching leadership with a CEO mindset, they will be able to create strong, cohesive teams that drive the success of the school.
Positive Outcomes for the School Community
The ultimate goal of effective school leadership is to create positive outcomes for the organisation and its many stakeholders. In the context of a school, this means improving student achievement, enhancing teacher performance and fostering a thriving school culture. Coaching plays a crucial role in helping leaders achieve this by enhancing their decision-making, fostering a positive school environment and driving continuous improvement.
Leaders who engage in coaching are better equipped to make thoughtful, informed decisions that align with the long-term goals of their school. Coaching provides a space for leaders to think critically about the decisions they face, considering the potential impact on various stakeholders and exploring different perspectives. This reflective process leads to more intentional, strategic decision-making that benefits the entire school community.
Moreover, coaching helps leaders cultivate a positive school culture, much like a CEO works to shape company culture. A school’s culture is shaped by the values, attitudes and behaviours of its leaders. When leaders are authentic, communicative and supportive, these qualities permeate the school environment. Staff members feel more motivated and engaged, students feel more connected to their learning environment and parents and community members are more likely to trust and support the school.
The ripple effect of strong leadership extends to student outcomes. Research consistently shows that strong school leadership is linked to improved student achievement. When leaders foster a collaborative, supportive environment for their staff, teachers are better equipped to provide high-quality instruction. In turn, students benefit from more effective teaching, greater engagement and a stronger sense of belonging within the school.
As the role of school leadership continues to evolve, coaching will remain an essential tool for helping leaders balance their educational mission with the business realities of running a successful organisation. Coaching offers a personalised, reflective space for leaders to reflect and develop the skills needed to excel in both areas. If you’d like to discuss your leadership challenges, and how coaching could support you, please contact Melanie Pye at melanie.pye@andersonquigley.com.
