Books to read as a senior leader

If you could give one piece of advice to someone who wanted to become a headteacher, what would it be?

Here are some of the responses:

Build relationships and let people take risks.
— Sarah Carrington (@sarah_loulou79) February 4, 2021

Take the time to build relationships. Who you are is more important than what you are. Be humble. And develop the thickest of skins because it hurts when the criticism comes (which it will!) Never forget the privilege it is to serve. Laugh. Cry.
— Maria Soulsby FCCT (@StJamesHead) February 4, 2021

Do it! Best job there is. Invest in yourself. Run, read, meditate, whatever works for you. It’s tough and you need the personal resources to deal with the inevitable challenges.
— Ben Levinson (@mrlev) February 4, 2021

Be visible - get to know staff well, children and families too. Listen to start with. Dont panic if your vision is not secure in your mind, it can change as you and your school grows. But it is always do whats best for the children.
— Mrs Head (@HeadteacherPrim) September 24, 2020

Build a network - twitter, locally, nationally. Learn from peoples experience and expertise
— Gemma Patterson (@gpatterson83) September 24, 2020

Choose the right school for you. It’s not just a badge.
— Andy Walsh (@awateach) September 24, 2020

Maintain your integrity & courage
— Lynne Stabler (@skyhighthinker) September 24, 2020

Wait out this year. Then develop a network of other HTs. I’d be lost without mine 👍
— Northern Head (@head_northern) September 24, 2020

You are enough.
— Dr Philip Purvis (@CroydonHighDHA) September 24, 2020

Humility, honesty and trust.

Have them, build them and demonstrate them - you won’t go far wrong.
— Lee Hill (@ljhill85) September 24, 2020

Ask yourself, 'why?'
Seriously - take a step back & think carefully about why you want to do this job.
I don't mean this in a negative way - I think it is the best job in the world.
But you need to think carefully about why you want to take this step & who you are doing it for.
— Primary Head (@PrimaryHead2020) September 24, 2020

I'm not a head, but I'd suggest a few things:
Lead with your heart, never your ego
Remember that children are children, not statistics
Overcommunicate your values
Listen, care, support
Look after yourself
— Christopher Harrison #TVTTagTeam ✋ (@MrHtheteacher) September 24, 2020

My one piece of advice that helped me most was never react to a situation straight away. Always give yourselves and others ‘thinking time’
— Marie Wallace (@MarieWallace7) September 25, 2020

Listen more than you speak.
— Ciaran FCCT (@ciarancw75) September 25, 2020

Be kind , be ready for whatever it throws at you and be sure it is what you want . It will be a battle but if you are sure it is what you want you will find a way to make it work xx
— Caroline Aplin (@carolineaplin) September 24, 2020

Don’t take it all too seriously. One day you’ll look back and wonder what all the worry was about.
— Life Learner (@MrsPrimary) September 24, 2020

Don’t think you need to know everything ........ build the right team of experts around you
— Claire Pritchard (@ATT_COO) September 24, 2020

Mind your Ps and Cs: Be positive and compassionate in outlook; be persistent and consistent with your values; and show perseverance and courage through adversity.
— Peter Bain (@PeterBa1n) September 25, 2020

Be clear about the values you hold dear and wait for the right school
— TheTattooedHeadteacher #TVTTagTeam🌈☀️#kindness (@KyrstieStubbs) September 24, 2020

Ensure you have a great network before taking the plunge, the role can be very lonely and you will need others around you for support.
— Bretta Townend-Jowitt #Ubuntu (@Headspiration) September 24, 2020

Remember, right choice vs. easy choice.
It will be hard, but always make the right choice. Always x
— @Tea4HeadTEAcher (@Tea4HeadTEAche1) September 24, 2020

Know what you value most. Share what you value with others . Act on what you value everyday.
— Julia Waites (@Julia_Waites) September 24, 2020

Most of the stuff that you think will destroy you in the moment is forgotten about within a week...
— Old Primary Head (@Oldprimaryhead1) September 25, 2020

Perhaps let the pandemic pass before you start?
— Martha Hughes (@MarthaH28) September 24, 2020

Teamwork is critical....and it may not always be you flying at the front...that's great teamwork!
— Angela Williams (@AngelaW2904) September 25, 2020

A wise head once said to me- “Only do what only you can do” Doesn’t work all the time, but it’s a strong stance to ensure you embrace your delegated leadership teams. Most importantly, be kind to yourself... somethings may not work. That’s ok!
— Mr S Farmer (@Mr_S_Farmer) September 24, 2020

Wait for the right school and context.
— Nick Hart (@MrNickHart) September 24, 2020

Be yourself and be kind. Invest in, be supportive of and compassionate to your staff. Stick to your moral compass and use it to make the best decisions for those in your care.
— MrD (@MrD_Uplands) September 24, 2020

If you are going to be head of a village school, embrace the village
— Mr Brown (@MisterGBrown) September 24, 2020

https://t.co/7poe0eYb9s
— Secret Headteacher (@secretHT1) September 24, 2020

Best quote I was told by an inspirational leader, ‘we need leadership that is tough enough to demand a great deal from others but tender enough to encourage the heart.’ Never forget you need both.
— lyndsay mcroberts (@lyndsaymcr) September 24, 2020

Follow your heart, not your ego, children are children, not a statistic. Listen to your staff, children, governors and local community. Be kind to yourself and others.
— Wendy (@wendywoo1979) September 24, 2020

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Advice for someone who wants to become a headteacher

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