1. I’M THE HEAD OF SCHOOL… NOW WHAT?
WOMEN OF INFLUENCE CONFERENCE
HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
0CTOBER 13-15, 2017

2. WOMEN AND POWER POWER OVER OTHERS VS POWER WITH OR THROUGH
MORE ABOUT PURPOSE THAN STATUS
CULTURE: MANIPULATE OR INFLUENCE QUIETLY?
SMALL STEPS LEAD TO BIG STEPS
WHEN SOMEONE OFFERS YOU AN OPPORTUNITY…
BE A ROLE MODEL

3. LEADERSHIP LEADERS ARE MADE NOT BORN
THE OPPORTUNITY TO USE ALL YOUR GIFTS
THE CAPACITY TO TRANSLATE VISION INTO REALITY
inspiring, delegating, communicating, collaborating, influencing, knowing, learning, challenging
LIMITATIONS
lack of confidence, impatience, intolerance, defensiveness

4. THE CHALLENGES OF LEADERSHIP
Changing relationships with colleagues
No end to the job—24/7--12 months
Balancing the good of the whole with the good of the one
Loss of privacy and voicing thoughts
Being a change agent
Managing crises (internal and external)
Grief counseling
Making difficult personnel decisions
Loneliness

5. FIVE PILLARS OF HEADSHIP WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW The Gospel according to Bambi Betts
1. EDUCATION 2. FINANCE 3. HUMAN RESOURCES 4. FACILITIES 5. MARKETING/ADVANCEMENT

6. TWO PILLARS OF HEADSHIP The Gospel according to Ellen
1. FINANCES
2. BOARD/ HEAD RELATIONSHIP
The Myth according to Ellen Stern
“SMALL SCHOOLS ARE EASIER TO RUN.”

7. FIVE PILLARS OF HEADSHIP
1. EDUCATION: You know that. Keep learning.
2. FINANCE: A new challenge? We can make it simple
3. HUMAN RESOURCES:
You know the soft stuff, but learn school culture
Have someone who knows the laws of the country
4. FACILITIES: Hire expertise, be watchful, use common sense
5. MARKETING/ADVANCEMENT:
Always the chief cheerleader
Time constraints require finding volunteer or hiring expertise

8. FINANCES (courtesy of Linda Duevel and Jane Thompson
THING ONE AND THING TWO (+a method for collecting overdue finances)
KEEP IT SIMPLE
GET IT RIGHT
PRACTICE YOUR ESTIMATING SKILLS
BE ABLE TO EXPLAIN THE BUDGET
Zero profit, target profit, deficit budget
RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR CFO/BM (+checks and balances)

9. RESOURCES for advice on finances
Board members’ expertise
External auditors
Internet searches
Your predecesssor
Other schools
Headnet/AISHnet

10. BOARD/HEAD RELATIONSHIP
WHY CAN IT BE CHALLENGING?
WHT HAPPENS WHEN THEY ARE NOT ALIGNED?
WHAT ARE THE TENSION POINTS?
Admissions
Class size,
Tuition and fees,
Hiring,
Discipline
Staff/student/education issues

11. WHAT DO THE BOARD AND HEAD NEED TO KNOW TO WORK TOGETHER?
BUILD TRUST
DO WHAT YOU SAY YOU WILL DO
DISTINGUISH POLICY FROM PRACTICE
BOARD NEED-TO-KNOWS
Information re fiduciary, strategic, political, press
HEAD NEED-TO-KNOWS
Board priorities, decision-making, level of detail, student matters, curriculum, discipline

12. HOW TO BUILD A TRUSTING RELATIONSHIP THE HONEYMOON IS OVER, NOW WHAT
Keep an open mind
Avoid stereotypes
Don’t make assumptions
Always assume positive intentions
Learn to distinguish between micro-managing and rubber-stamping
Get involved in community events

13. HEAD AND CHAIR MUST DO’S
Absolute confidentiality
Meet face-to-face
Respect each other’s time and preferred style
(call? ? Skype? Breakfast?)
Do what you say you will do
Serve each other’s best interests
Admit mistakes and acknowledge weaknesses
Coach each other
Support each other in private and public
Get to know each other personally as well as professionally

14. WHEN DIFFERENCES STILL ARISE?
ADDRESS THE ISSUES DIRECTLY
STAY IN THE DISCUSSION
NURTURE THE RELATIONSHIP
REMIND YOURSELF OF THE BASICS
(the war not the battle!)
DO NOT BE SHY IN SEEKING OUTSIDE HELP

15. REMEMBER KEEP COMMUNICATING THE VISION KEEP THE EVERYDAY UNDER CONTROL
SET AN EXAMPLE
AVOID BURNOUT
FIND SUPPORT
Peer group (EARCOS, NESA, ECIS, AISH, etc.)
Coaches

16. “Leadership is about making others better as a result of your presence and making sure the impact lasts in your absence.”