Leadership in schools is often overlooked, yet it is one of the most critical factors in shaping the educational experience. When we compare how leadership is approached in various industries, it becomes clear that education lags—particularly when we look at the military, where leadership is ingrained, constantly evolving, and practiced at every level.
In education, however, leadership training is often absent or inconsistent, leaving administrators and teachers ill-prepared to meet the complex challenges of modern schooling. Simon Sinek says this leadership gap hinders schools’ effectiveness and directly impacts students’ academic and emotional growth. In this article, we explore the vital leadership lessons our schools need to learn from industries like the military and how prioritizing leadership can improve the educational system.
The Military’s Approach to Leadership: A Benchmark for Schools
The military’s approach to leadership offers a powerful model for how organizations—especially educational institutions—should think about and implement leadership practices. In the military, leadership is woven into the fabric of everyday operations. Every level of rank has its tailored leadership curriculum designed to develop the leadership skills needed at that stage. The focus is not only on technical proficiency but also on the ability to inspire, motivate, and manage people. Military leadership is adaptable and practical, whether it’s leading troops in combat, managing complex logistics, or navigating international diplomacy. Leaders are expected to make decisions in high-pressure environments, where the stakes are often life and death.
This training philosophy ensures that military leaders are consistently prepared for challenges at every rank, offering an evolving skill set that matches the complexity of their roles. The military also continuously updates its leadership strategies, regularly evaluating what works and what needs to be improved. This adaptability allows them to stay ahead of emerging challenges and cultivate current and forward-thinking leadership.
In comparison, the education system lacks continuous, structured leadership training. Teachers and administrators are often promoted based on experience or tenure rather than their leadership abilities. While some schools might provide professional development workshops, they rarely focus on leadership as the military emphasizes it. Furthermore, leadership training tends to be inconsistent across educational institutions, meaning some schools may thrive under strong leadership while others struggle due to a lack of effective guidance. This gap in leadership preparation is a critical flaw in the educational system and leads to inefficiencies, stagnation, and frustration, directly impacting student outcomes.
The military does well by creating a system where leadership is not an afterthought—it is a priority from the very beginning and evolves throughout one’s career. Education would benefit immensely from this same approach. School leaders should undergo rigorous, ongoing leadership development programs tailored to the specific needs and complexities of educational environments. This ensures that school leaders can adapt, motivate, and inspire educators and students to reach their highest potential.
The Disconnect Between Administrators and Teachers
There is a significant gap between administrators and teachers in educational institutions regarding understanding each other’s roles and challenges. Administrators, who typically have backgrounds in educational policy, management, or a different branch of education, are tasked with overseeing the school’s or district’s overall functioning. However, many have never worked as teachers, and thus, they lack an intimate understanding of the day-to-day challenges teachers face in the classroom. This gap creates a disconnect between the leadership and those on the ground, leading to a lack of empathy and ineffective policies.
Many school administrators may prioritize external measures of success, such as standardized test scores, attendance rates, or other performance metrics. While these are important, they miss the broader picture of fostering a supportive, effective learning environment. Teachers are often left to independently navigate classroom challenges, student needs, and emotional labor, with little to no guidance or understanding from those at the top.
Moreover, administrators, due to their limited experience in the classroom, can sometimes fail to provide adequate support for teachers. They may push for higher student performance without offering the necessary resources or training to help teachers meet these expectations. Without this support, teachers may feel unsupported, overwhelmed, and undervalued. This, in turn, leads to burnout and disengagement, which negatively affects student outcomes. Teachers need leadership that not only understands their struggles but actively works to address them through resource allocation, emotional support, and a culture of collaboration.
Effective leadership requires administrators to take the time to understand what teachers need to succeed. They must actively engage with teachers, listen to their concerns, and foster a culture of openness. When administrators and teachers work together with mutual respect and understanding, they create a cohesive team that is far more likely to succeed in nurturing and educating students.
The Ripple Effect of Bad Leadership
BLousyleadership in schools has far-reaching consequences that extend well beyond the administrative offices. The impact of poor leadership isn’t confined to the individuals directly involved in decision-making; it seeps into the very culture of the school. One of the most noticeable effects is teacher morale. Teachers feel disengaged and unappreciated when administrators fail to lead with clarity, empathy, and support. Over time, this leads to a toxic work environment where teachers are preoccupied with survival rather than excellence. Instead of being focused on creating an enriching educational experience for students, teachers spend their energy managing conflicts, navigating the politics of the school system, or even protecting themselves from punitive actions.
This sense of insecurity among teachers directly affects the students they teach. Teachers who feel unsupported or stressed are less likely to deliver their best work. The classroom environment becomes one of tension rather than collaboration, and students are less likely to engage in meaningful learning. Teachers may struggle to build strong relationships with students or be overwhelmed by their responsibilities, which can lead to burnout. This, in turn, affects the students’ emotional and academic development, creating a cycle of disengagement that perpetuates itself.
Additionally, when poor leadership trickles down, it often creates a sense of disillusionment among students. Students pick up on the emotions of their teachers. If teachers are frustrated, stressed, or emotionally exhausted, students will likely feel disconnected and disengaged. It becomes difficult for them to focus on learning when the environment feels unstable or unsafe. A poor school culture stemming from ineffective leadership, results in underachievement, frustration, and a lack of enthusiasm for education. The long-term consequences are profound: a generation of students who lack the motivation, emotional resilience, and leadership skills they need to succeed in their futures.
On a larger scale, this ripple effect can damage the reputation of the entire educational system. Parents and communities lose trust in schools that fail to foster supportive, positive environments for teachers and students. As public confidence declines, the challenges schools face only intensify, creating an ongoing cycle of difficulty that can be hard to break.
The Importance of Prioritizing Teachers
For the education system to improve, the leadership structure must recognize the importance of prioritizing teachers. Teachers are the foundation of the educational experience, and their well-being should be the administrators’ primary concern. When teachers are professionally and emotionally supported, they can create a positive learning environment that directly impacts student success. A well-supported teacher is more likely to be motivated, innovative, and committed to helping students succeed.
Administrators must shift their focus from managing metrics to managing people. Rather than obsessing over test scores and statistics, school leaders should focus on creating conditions that allow teachers to thrive. This involves providing teachers with ongoing professional development, offering emotional support, and creating a work environment that fosters collaboration and innovation. When teachers feel valued, they are more likely to invest themselves fully in their work. They will go above and beyond to create engaging lesson plans, build meaningful relationships with students, and collaborate with their colleagues to improve the educational experience.
Administrators must also provide teachers with the resources they need to succeed. This means ensuring that classrooms are adequately equipped with materials and technology, that teachers have manageable class sizes, and that they are given the time and space to plan, collaborate, and reflect. Administrative support should make teachers’ jobs easier, not harder. Only then can teachers focus their energy on what matters most: the students.
Furthermore, when teachers are supported, they are better equipped to handle the challenges that arise in the classroom. They are more resilient and better able to respond to their students’ diverse needs. A school that prioritizes its teachers will create a learning environment where both educators and students feel safe, supported, and motivated to achieve their best.
Leadership Training for Administrators: A Necessity, Not an Option
Leadership training for administrators is not just a luxury; it’s a necessity. Administrators are tasked with overseeing the smooth functioning of an entire school or district, and their ability to lead effectively is critical to the success of the entire system. Without proper training, administrators are left to rely on instinct or outdated methods, which may not be effective in the modern educational environment.
Just like military leaders trained to handle complex, high-pressure situations, school leaders need ongoing training that equips them to navigate the ever-changing landscape of education. This training should go beyond basic administrative skills like budgeting or scheduling. Instead, it should focus on leadership principles—how to inspire, motivate, and manage people, navigate conflict, and build a culture of trust and respect.
Training should be continuous, not just during a one-time seminar or retreat. School administrators should have access to regular professional development that helps them stay current with new leadership techniques and emerging trends in education. The world of education is constantly evolving, and so should the leadership strategies that drive it. Administrators’ Leadership training should focus on fostering collaboration, encouraging innovation, and managing change in a way that aligns with the needs of teachers and students.
When administrators receive high-quality leadership training, they can create a supportive, effective work environment that benefits everyone involved. Strong leaders inspire their teams to work together toward common goals, create a positive school culture, and ensure all students receive the best education possible. This kind of leadership development is an investment in the future of both educators and students.
Conclusion: A Call to Action for Educational Leadership
The imperative for leadership education within our schools cannot be overstated. As the guardians of our nation’s future, educators and educational leaders have a moral and ethical responsibility to prioritize leadership development and create environments where all school community members can thrive.
Superintendents, principals, and teachers alike must recognize the pivotal role of leadership in shaping the educational landscape. Embracing a proactive approach to leadership development and prioritizing cultivating effective leadership skills can propel our education system forward, ensuring better outcomes for educators and students.
By learning from successful models in other sectors and adopting best practices in leadership education, we can build a more equitable, inclusive, and effective education system that prepares all students for success in school, career, and life. Together, let us rise to the challenge of leadership and create a brighter future for generations to come.