Across Denver’s metro area, school districts are once again experiencing the superintendent search cycle. One leader leaves in frustration, and another arrives with optimism and hope for stability and growth. The problem is, before long, hope fades and division leads to yet another transition.
After more than three decades as a local leader in education, I have developed the understanding that strategic or academic failures rarely cause this cycle. The cause is something much deeper: the loss of trust.
When trust is gone between superintendents and those they serve, progress falters, strategy fails and communities divide. Typically, the response is to hire a search firm and hope for better. Hope needs to be replaced by a determined search for the key leadership attributes that represent a new commitment for superintendent leadership — one that results in healing, engagement, organizational strength and success for our children. These attributes frame what I call “the promise of leadership.”
The promise of leadership is defined by three commitments that are responsive to specific human needs: purpose, predictability, and empowerment. The combination of these commitments is not a management technique one can stage as a tactic. It is a devoted effort applied by a high integrity superintendent who sees great value in the people they serve…