THE HEALTHY HEAD OF SCHOOL
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health counselor is an important recognition that we all need support . The best research in social-emotional development clearly indicates that those who try to go it alone , regardless of the issue , age , or gender , fair less well than those who reach out for assistance .
Heads need to dismiss the notion that acknowledging their social-emotional needs in advance contributes to their own fears about imposter syndrome , or indicates to a Board they are not really ready for the job . Rather than see this contract request as a deficiency , well-informed Board chairs instead can recognize this particular request as a clear sign of a healthy Head of School who understands the demands of the job and knows they need help in the complicated tasks of school leadership in our turbulent times .
Conflict Management
To maintain a healthy and balanced lifestyle , Heads need to rely on a variety of strategies to resolve ever-present conflicts . Barry Johnson ’ s Polarity Management : Identifying and Managing Unsolvable Problems ( 2014 ) is an effective tool .
Adam Grant ’ s most recent book , Think Again : The Power of Knowing What You Don ’ t Know ( 2021 ) argues that high performing leaders and groups focus on task conflict rather than relationship conflict to find solutions to intractable problems .
“ The best research in social-emotional development clearly indicates that those who try to go it alone , regardless of the issue , age , or gender , fair less well than those who reach out for assistance .”
Other articles in this issue may explore more deeply the specific characteristics of Johnson ’ s and Grant ’ s approach . I offer these citations as a mental health support so that Heads do not become so embroiled in the conflicts that they lose the healthy perspective needed to do the job well .
Your Relationship with the Board Chair
There is always a noticeable reaction in governance workshops when it is noted that after the Head ’ s relationship with a spouse , partner , children , and other loved ones , no relationship is more important than that between the Head and Board Chair ! Unlike other direct reporting models , especially in the for-profit world , the Board-Head of School relationship is a partnership . This framework can create confusion for those who simply believe that
Page 12 Spring 2023 CSEE Connections