Like professional athletes, great education leaders follow rigorous routines to keep their skills sharp and their delivery constant. Education leaders know that that practice makes perfect and the more consistent you can be, the more success your school or district will have.

The marathon never ends

You have to remember that steady wins the race, and this is certainly the case in education. To be a successful education leader, every time you step on the field or court, you have to bring you’re “A” game with you and deliver a great performance each time. If you don’t, your organization will not operate at an optimal level and will experience ups and downs.

To deliver a great performance every time, you have to be prepared for the rigors of leadership. You have to practice giving an optimal performance, even in less than ideal conditions. You have to practice your skills until they become second nature and automatic. Then and only then will you be able to make the right play.

This doesn’t mean that you won’t make a poor decision from time to time. However, even in those situations, failure helps you learn from your mistakes, and the next time you are in the same or a similar scenario, you will know what move to make. The key is to ensure that failure does not happen in succession, which can lead to a leadership slump. Just stick to your guns, and use your skills and experiences to lead the way. That way, you will be sure to be voted MYP (Most Valuable Principal) every year.

Concluding thoughts

I can’t stress the importance of giving a steady performance. Inconsistent leadership is the reason that most schools fail their students. When a leader is inconsistent, they experience periods of being locked into their duties and periods of being totally aloof. To avoid this predicament, focus on giving a consistent performance every day. It won’t be easy, but it won’t be hard either. Remember, steady wins the race.