by Kathleen Lambe
Principal, May/June 2012

Schools face challenges that require leaders who are wise in the ways of people, schools, and the universe at large. The constant pressure of high-stakes testing along with the responsibilities of educating students from inadequate social, emotional, and physical environments make the leadership role more challenging than ever.

Therefore, being a good money manager is not enough. Having a wealth of curriculum management knowledge is not enough. Universities prepare future administrators through classes on curriculum, management, and budget preparation, but miss a crucial piece: a spiritual dimension of leadership. However, through an enlightened form of leadership, principals can meet ever-growing demands for school improvement. Enlightened leaders incorporate a spiritual dimension into their everyday practices.

Spirituality refers to the way a person thinks and acts that comes from the core of his or her being and belief system. Spirituality is not organized religion. Incorporating spiritual or enlightened qualities in no way violates the laws of separation of church and state. The idea of spirituality is universal and implies connectedness between people through our own self-reflection and inquiry.

Principals as Samurai

Enlightened leaders wisely recognize that they are part of a much larger context. Enlightened leadership encompasses not only management of the organization, but also requires strength in relationship building and self-examination. Paul Houston compared the qualities needed by today’s leaders to that of the ancient Japanese samurai: “A key weapon for samurai was the ‘stillness of mind’ that would allow them to be centered and present. In the midst of battle, they could still their minds and go to the inner source to find their truth and find their way.” This same mindfulness helps administrators stay calm and focused during trying times.

Self-reflection, particularly on daily practices, is one of the best means to add a spiritual dimension in order to become a more enlightened leader. Depth in leadership style emerges through regular reflection and inquiry. Paul Houston and Stephen Sokolow identified several principles of a spiritual dimension of leadership, one of which is the Principle of Attention. Focused attention, which can be accessed through mindfulness practices, allows leaders to address the right things at the right time. Leaders become less judgmental because they take time to reflect before formulating opinions.

The Larger Context

Enlightened leaders are aware that they are part of a much larger context. Our relationships and interactions connect us to everyone involved in a school community: students, parents, teachers, and support staff. When I reflect on my own building, I realize that my knowledge and problem-solving skills are greatly enhanced by involving the whole staff. The wealth of experience, expertise, and wisdom of employees at my elementary school is outstanding, and only a fool would fail to harness the energy of this group. Since becoming Baresville’s principal, we’ve raised test scores; created a mentoring program for at-risk students; and implemented a daily period for remediation, acceleration, or enrichment. Our teachers’ collective creativity in implementing this process is far beyond the ability level of any single person. Creativity thrives when we’re focused on the right thing at the right time and when we are surrounded by people whose professional judgment we trust.

Mindful Practices

As an elementary principal, I can make 100 decisions during the course of the day, from simple things such as, “Is the temperature too low to allow the kids outside at recess?” to more potentially life-altering decisions such as “Do I cut time in the schedule from content classes to focus more on reading at the primary grades?” All these decisions, no matter how big or small, influence the lives of the 500 children under my care and the lives of those who teach them. I take the weight of this decision-making very seriously, but I also need to take care of myself by not allowing the stress of that responsibility to wear me down.

Principals can engage in several mindful practices to alleviate stress and enhance their leadership style. It is important to find one that works for you and allows you to get to a place of focused attention and clarity. One way is by journaling, which is an expressive written form of self-examination. When administrators take the time to reflect inwardly, they also acknowledge how they affect everything and everyone around them. This can result in an increased sense of passion for the profession and improved, enlightened leadership qualities.

Meditation is also a mindful practice that might help transform a leader. Deep breathing exercises, a form of meditation, help me to be a more enlightened leader. The breath is always with you so no one is ever in a place without the ability to practice mindfulness. Sometimes, it’s a matter of sitting at my desk and taking a few deep breaths, and repeating the phrase “I’m OK” or “I can do this” or simply “I am.” This quick exercise brings me back to the present moment by focusing my attention inwardly rather than on the extraneous details that happen in an elementary school on a daily basis.

Meditation, though often associated with religion, is actually a practice of self-awareness and self-regulation in many cultures and societies. It helps reduce stress. The brain responds to stress by inhibiting the fl ow of information to the pre-frontal cortex, the place in our brains that help us to learn and reason. Focusing on breathing helps me make decisions that are thoughtful but not overly emotional. I’ve learned to pause, allowing information to move to the prefrontal cortex of the brain and helping me to respond with reason and thought. In this way, decisions become rational rather than rash.

Reflection has influenced my leadership during crisis situations. Fellow administrators, teachers, and even parents have commented that during times of crisis or confusion, I maintain composure. When I am calm, my staff remains composed and as a result the kids are calm. The emergency is addressed with clarity of thought and wise decision-making.

As demands of educating children in this chaotic society become greater, principals will need to reach to the depths of their being to maintain clarity and be effective decision-makers. Incorporating a spiritual dimension of leadership will allow principals to be more enlightened, and therefore become the type of leaders that are so desperately needed in our schools today.

Kathleen Lambe is principal of Baresville Elementary School in Hanover, Pennsylvania.

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