School leaders often do their job by relying on pre-defined rules and procedures. A school leader often has a road-map to follow. The leader often has no choice but to adhere to the rules set forth by an external entity. Such rules often determine the way the school must function.
The leader must effort to pursue already established goals. The leader must do so whether he or she agrees with those goals. There are important expectations.
The leader must do everything possible to accomplish certain tasks. The leader must do so whether he or she supports the strategy put in place to reach those goals. However, implementing agreed-upon goals may not be easy.
A school setting is not immune from the administrative scuffles and political squabbles. These realities are habitual occurrences in most organizations? It is often up to the leader to convince others to help him/her implement goals, which he or she might not support.
This reality often creates difficult situations for school leaders. Finding a common ground in a public school setting is not always easy. A school administrator may feel frustrated.
Schools as hybrid entities
Public schools are hybrid organizational entities. In terms of their operations, they are neither public nor private. While a public school is “public” at its core, it may function as a private entity. A public school setting may have a structure, which is comparable to most organizations.
A school setting might operate by relying on a unique set of standards. Despite the characteristics of public schools, they may experience the same realities, which pervade in private entities. Public schools are not exempt from the issues that characterize private organizations. However, an important delineation is worthy of note.
A public school leader must lead. He or she must do so regardless of the obstacles that might characterize the organization. This is the nature of school leadership.
A means to an end
School entities ordinarily function differently from most organizational settings. But like most business entities, a school must achieve a particular goal. School leaders must effort to accomplish it. Occasionally, doing so can be impossible.
In similar situations, school leaders must be creative. They must be proactive. They may use any means available to reach their goal.
No matter what, school leaders must succeed. They must yield tangible results. There is no way around that.
School leaders could not falter in their effort to accomplish their task. They must meet expectations. They must find the way to navigate their realities. This is the nature of being a leader in education. This is the nature of public school operations.
