By Jamie Bricker
This is the latest article in a monthly series on the impact of Affective Leadership in the school system. Effective leadership focuses on working with people—not around them or through them. When staff, students, and families feel genuinely valued, respected, and heard, they invest more deeply in the school. The pandemic has only amplified the need for strong connection and compassionate leadership.
The role of the school principal grows more complex each year, and recent global events have added new variables that demand a principal’s attention. Affective school leadership emphasizes consistent respect, clear communication, and visible support so that all stakeholders feel included and understood.
Below is a practical checklist of ten essential leadership practices that align relationship-building with the daily realities of running a school. Each key centers on positivity and intentional behavior; principals who model encouragement and steady reassurance strengthen their school’s culture, particularly during challenging times.
#1 – BE ACCOUNTABLE
The principal is the public face of the school. While many people contribute to daily operations, the principal is ultimately responsible for what happens on campus. Support your staff, be forthright with families, and avoid blaming others. You don’t need every answer immediately, but stakeholders must trust that you will seek solutions promptly and follow through on commitments.
#2 – BE ADAPTABLE
This school year has highlighted the importance of adaptive leadership. There is no fixed script for principals, and situations often require creative problem-solving. Be open to new approaches and fresh perspectives while remaining anchored to your school’s mission and priorities. Encourage thoughtful change without creating unnecessary upheaval.
#3 – BE AUTHENTIC
Authenticity builds trust. Principals should get to know staff members as whole people who face both professional and personal challenges. Regular, sincere conversations create mutual trust and strengthen relationships across the entire staff. Showing up as a real person—approachable, empathetic, and consistent—deepens connection and support.
#4 – BE CLEAR
Clarity is essential. Decisions about instruction, student behavior, and safety should be communicated with clear rationale and expectations. While surprises sometimes occur in a school day, keeping stakeholders informed about likely changes and potential impacts reduces confusion and increases buy-in. People are more willing to support initiatives when they understand the purpose behind them.
#5 – BE COLLABORATIVE
Most meaningful decisions are stronger when developed collaboratively. Affective principals work with their teams rather than imposing decisions unilaterally. Frequent collaboration builds ownership and preserves credibility. Avoid drawing rigid lines that lead to conflict; instead, invite input so the best ideas can emerge and be refined together.
#6 – BE COMPASSIONATE
Much of school leadership centers on the heart. Whether responding to an upset student, a stressed colleague, or an anxious parent, compassion matters. Problem-solving often requires practical steps, but empathy and genuine concern are equally critical to achieving lasting resolution and maintaining morale.
#7 – BE CONSISTENT
Principals set the emotional climate of the school. Act as a proactive thermostat rather than a reactive thermometer: deliberately shape the tone through calm, logical decision-making rather than responding impulsively. Consistency in demeanor and practice builds confidence and steadiness across the school community.
#8 – BE OPEN-MINDED
A culture that values diverse opinions encourages creativity and growth. Principals should welcome differing viewpoints and foster respectful debate. As the world and education system evolve rapidly, leaders must model curiosity and be willing to lead thoughtful change.
#9 – BE TRANSPARENT
Living and working in a public role means actions are visible and often scrutinized. Transparency prevents misunderstandings and builds trust. Maintain professional boundaries while being approachable; ensure decisions are fair, explained, and based on clear criteria so staff and families feel confident in leadership choices.
#10 – BE VISIBLE
Regular, meaningful presence throughout the school strengthens accessibility and accountability. Even when administrative workloads are heavy, prioritize being seen in hallways, on the school yard, and in common areas. Visibility fosters informal check-ins, builds relationships, and demonstrates that leadership is present and engaged.
These ten practices provide a practical framework for affective leadership that supports both daily operations and long-term culture. They are designed to be adaptable to each school’s context while emphasizing respect, communication, and intentional positivity. In subsequent monthly articles, each key will be explored in greater depth with examples and strategies principals can apply immediately.
About the author
Jamie Bricker is a published author and international speaker. A retired school principal, he has long championed affective leadership and witnessed its beneficial effects firsthand. He co-hosts podcasts, including Affective Leadership – Positivity Promotes Productivity, and writes weekly blogs on leadership topics available on LinkedIn. Jamie can be reached by email at [email protected] or through his website www.jamiebricker.com.
This article was originally published by The Learning Counsel, a research institute and news media hub focused on the shift in education toward digital curriculum.