One of the best lessons I ever learned from a member of senior leadership was the two minute rule. The idea is simple. If you know the job will only take two minutes, you complete it straight away. In education, small tasks have a sneaky way of becoming bigger tasks when they're left unchecked. So getting a task done there and then while your focused on it is more efficient. Plus it helps you feel like you've completed a goal, which gives you fuel for the bigger jobs. Whether you're picking up paper for the printer, or answering a quick email, it works brilliantly for sorting through admin tasks which are everywhere in teaching. It's also helped kept me from overlooking details that sneak up on me later.
One crucial leadership lesson I've learned from my time in education is the power of vulnerability. As educators, we're often seen as the all-knowing figures in the room, but showing your human side can create a profound connection with your students and colleagues. I remember a time when I admitted to my class that I didn't have all the answers to a particularly tricky question. Instead of losing respect, I gained it. My honesty opened up a dialogue and created an environment where everyone felt safe to express their uncertainties and curiosities. This vulnerability fosters trust and encourages a culture of continuous learning and growth, which is essential for any successful leadership.