I’ve been in Dubai for eight weeks and have been struck by many things including the climate, the rapid growth, and the energy people bring to learning. It’s a place on the move, filled with ambition.
One of my first priorities was meeting my new leadership team. We began by getting to know one another, setting expectations for how we’ll work together, and sharing our hopes for the school. As a principal leading a school in a new country, building that mutual understanding was essential.
When stepping into a new system, context matters. Your team needs to know how you think not only on what drives your decisions and where you see the school heading, but also how you view your role. At the same time, you need to understand their aspirations and ideas. Leadership doesn’t work in isolation. Connection and clarity come first.
For me, that started with the bigger picture. I wanted to ensure that we had a shared sense of direction: where the school is heading, whether the right culture and capabilities are in place, and if the learning model supports long-term goals. It’s easy to get caught in the day-to-day, but strategy demands a broader view.
This is especially true in a young school. When the early phase of ‘setting up’ is done, the real work begins, building sustainability, deepening learning, and shaping identity. As the leader, your role is to keep the vision clear while building the capacity to get there.
The early days of a new appointment set the tone. With the right focus, they become the foundation for growth.
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