I just finished a great book that I think will shape my leadership in the coming school year. Radical Candor by Kim Scott was a quick read, full of great insight and lots of engaging stories. Here’s the line I’m holding onto:
“Your job is not to have all the answers. Your job is to build a team that finds the answers together.”
Leadership often rewards the person who appears certain. The one who speaks first. The one who solves the problem quickly. But Scott makes it clear that the real work of leadership is not about always being right. It’s about helping others think clearly, solve problems, and grow stronger.
As a principal, I have noticed how easy it is to fall into the habit of answer-giving. Someone brings a concern, and I want to help. So I step in. I direct. I solve. Sometimes that is useful. But other times, it closes the door on collaboration. It sends the message that leadership means having it figured out, when what we really need is a space where people feel safe enough to think together.
Scott’s vision of leadership falls into the realm of coaching. Not the loudest voice in the room, but the one who makes space for other voices. It means listening more than speaking. It means asking questions instead of jumping to conclusions. And most significantly, it means being honest about what you know and what you do not.
Authentic leadership is not about control. It is about clarity. When we help people understand their purpose, remove roadblocks, and invite honest feedback, the entire team improves. To make that happen, we have to shift from directing to guiding.
Scott points out that one of the best questions a leader can ask is a simple one. “What is something I could either do or stop doing that would help you to do your best work?” I plan to frame conversations with my staff around this question in the coming year. I will work to listen intently and then remove roadblocks and add support in any way that I can.
Mr. Zerwas Teaches Here 