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As young and inquisitive students, many of us have aspired to become school leaders or school captains at some point during our school life. The prestige of being the most recognised face in the institution and the power it holds over the rest is a heady cocktail that many students long for. You lead the students everywhere you go and they listen to whatever you have to say with rapt attention. You are admired, feared and even become the subject of interest to many. This, my friends, is the first experience for many as a local celebrity on the way to becoming a household name across the country.

That being said, becoming a school leader is not merely about appearances and the power vested in it. It is also about the responsibility that comes with it and how well we condition ourselves to be worthy of the position. As many of us know, one of the primary purposes of a school leader is to lead the students so we can collectively work towards creating an institution that’s cohesive, conducive, and encourages well-rounded education for all. A school leader acts as a bridge between the staff and the students where concerns and suggestions from both ends can be passed back and forth without any deviation and confusion. Its upto the school leader to gain the trust of both the students and the staff to ensure we work collectively towards the common goal; to build a learning environment that works for all!

Here are some points to consider as a successful school leader

Leadership Practices : A true leader's job is not just to take charge and give commands but to follow sound leadership principles that bring everyone under their fold and move ahead together.

Be Humble : The best way to get people at your side is to be respectful and convey your points in simple and plain words. There is always room for negotiation and compromise if you remain humble and give everyone the space to convey their message.

Listen to everyone : The biggest trait of a good school leader is to listen to every side of the discussion. Do not take sides and remain unbiased at all times. A leader's actions are determined based on the information he gathers and how it applies to the situation

Have a plan : Always make sure you have a plan in motion once the discussion is completed and a decision has been made. After all, the true purpose of any leader is to put things into action after all things are considered.

To sum it up, there are no definitive means to measure the success of a good school leader besides considering the tangible results presented to us. And yet, how a good school leader gets there is also of equal importance that exhibiting one's moral and ethical values. The onus is upto the stakeholders to decide which way they wish to head.