Editor’s Note: This new monthly column, Matters of Principal, will address key issues that school leaders will confront over the next ten months. The focus of these monthly columns will follow the school year, highlighting timely and practical topics. September’s column focuses on laying a strong foundation for a productive school year.
Effective school leadership begins with clear priorities in the first weeks of the school year. Strong principals work collaboratively with staff and families to create a safe, supportive learning environment. Before new initiatives can take hold, several foundational pillars must be put in place. Use the start of the year to strengthen your presence, build trust, and set a tone that supports student learning and staff wellbeing.
Pillar #1 – Establish Presence
A principal’s reputation is formed quickly through daily interactions with students, staff, and the wider community. Be intentional about the presence you create: aim to be approachable, fair, compassionate, and reliable. The most important visibility is physical—be regularly seen in classrooms, hallways, playgrounds, and at school arrival and dismissal so you understand the school’s rhythm and culture firsthand.
Pillar #2 – Be Visible and Accessible
Visibility and accessibility are essential for authentic school leadership. Administrative tasks can and should be scheduled outside peak school hours when possible, so you can spend time where learning and interactions happen. Regular circulation around the building helps you sense the daily functioning of classrooms, spot emerging issues early, and connect informally with a wide range of stakeholders.
These informal encounters create opportunities for feedback and allow you to make small “social deposits” that build goodwill. Over time these interactions cultivate trust—an invaluable resource when challenges or conflicts arise.
Pillar #3 – Build and Nurture Relationships
Visibility enables accessibility, and accessibility supports accountability. Adopt a servant-leadership mindset: reach out intentionally to staff, students, and families. Relationship-building is central to the principalship and has taken on heightened importance after recent years of disruption. Helping everyone feel welcome and valued supports a return to educational stability and stronger community connections.
Pillar #4 – Initiate Interactions
Relationships rarely form by chance. During the first few weeks, schedule brief, voluntary one-on-one conversations with each staff member—about 15–20 minutes—focused on personal background, family, and interests rather than program details. These informal chats let you learn what motivates each colleague, give staff a chance to be heard, and create a foundation of mutual respect.
Be mindful that private conversations may become public over time. As you get to know the adults in your building, you’ll learn who maintains confidentiality and who tends to share. Understanding informal staff networks—often called the staffroom “grapevine”—helps you communicate effectively. The same social dynamics exist in the parent community and should be considered when building partnerships.
Pillar #5 – Be Reliable
Consistency is a cornerstone of trust. Staff, students, and families need to know what to expect from their school leader each day. Avoid mood-driven leadership; unpredictable behavior creates anxiety and undermines morale. Model calm, consistent, and compassionate leadership even when situations are stressful.
The main office sets the tone for the entire school. Maintain a professional and respectful environment there—no yelling or public confrontations. Demonstrate fair but firm decision-making and handle difficult conversations with dignity.
Pillar #6 – Be Inclusive
A healthy school community has one circle of inclusion, not multiple cliques. While natural affinities exist, it’s essential that all staff and families feel equally valued and involved. Inclusion supports collaboration, innovation, and a stronger sense of belonging for everyone.
Maintain appropriate professional boundaries: treat staff as respected colleagues rather than personal friends. Social events that include staff should be open to all—exclusive gatherings with select staff can damage trust and should be avoided.
Pillar #7 – Convey Positivity
Principals set the school’s emotional tone. Convey genuine enthusiasm for your work and gratitude for the contributions of staff, students, and families. Frame the school as “our” school, not “my” school, to reinforce shared ownership and collective responsibility.
Be an optimistic realist: hopefulness grounded in clear-eyed awareness of challenges. Address problems deliberately, using reasoned judgment rather than reacting emotionally. This balanced approach supports effective problem-solving and models professional behavior for the whole school community.
About the authors
Jamie Bricker and Jack Barclay are retired school principals who live just outside Toronto, Ontario. They are co-hosts of the Matters of Principal podcast and draw on decades of school leadership experience to offer practical advice for principals and school leaders.