Developing a Strong School Leadership Vision

“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose.”
— Dr. Seuss, Oh, the Places You’ll Go!

A school leadership vision is the foundation of a successful school. As a principal, my school community must understand what I stand for. A vision is more than a strategy—it’s a guiding force that shapes decision-making, school culture, and student success.

Why a School Leadership Vision Matters

Great school leaders visualise and articulate a clear future for their schools. A well-defined school leadership vision:
✔ Aligns staff, students, and parents around a shared purpose
✔ Provides direction for all decisions and actions
✔ Motivates the school community during challenges

Without a school leadership vision, schools risk drifting aimlessly—jumping from one initiative to another without a clear sense of purpose.

How to Develop a School Leadership Vision

A strong school leadership vision should:
📌 Be specific—outlining what the school will and won’t do
📌 Be future-focused—guiding progress over 3 to 5 years
📌 Be inspiring—helping staff and students stay motivated

The Danger of Leadership Without Vision

When I take on a new leadership role, I always think of Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland:

“Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?”
“That depends a good deal on where you want to get to.”
“I don’t much care where –”
“Then it doesn’t matter which way you go.”

Without a school leadership vision, any path seems acceptable—but none lead to real improvement.

Vision Comes Before Strategy—Always

“If you have a clear vision, you will eventually attract the right strategy. If you don’t have a clear vision, no strategy will save you.”

Many schools focus on strategy first, leading to fragmented efforts. But a principal must first define a vision, then align strategies to achieve it.

The Leadership Challenge: What Do You Stand For?

As a school leader, defining your school leadership vision is essential. A clear vision attracts the right people, strategies, and decisions—ensuring every action supports long-term success.

What is your school leadership vision?

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Dr Jake Madden

I’m Jake Madden (Dip Teach; B.Ed; Grad Dip: Leadership; M. Ed: Leadership; EdD; FACEL; MACE), and I’ve had the privilege of working in education for over thirty years as a teacher and principal. Throughout my career, I’ve focused on supporting teachers to build their capacity, developing learning approaches that respond to the needs of today’s world, creating flexible learning spaces for 21st-century learners, and designing curriculum that encourages global mindedness. I’m particularly passionate about the concept of teacher-as-researcher, and I’ve been fortunate to contribute to this area by sharing my experiences through books and journal articles. My work reflects what I’ve learned from leading and navigating educational change, and I’m always eager to continue learning from others in the field.

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Author: Dr Jake Madden

I’m Jake Madden (Dip Teach; B.Ed; Grad Dip: Leadership; M. Ed: Leadership; EdD; FACEL; MACE), and I’ve had the privilege of working in education for over thirty years as a teacher and principal. Throughout my career, I’ve focused on supporting teachers to build their capacity, developing learning approaches that respond to the needs of today’s world, creating flexible learning spaces for 21st-century learners, and designing curriculum that encourages global mindedness. I’m particularly passionate about the concept of teacher-as-researcher, and I’ve been fortunate to contribute to this area by sharing my experiences through books and journal articles. My work reflects what I’ve learned from leading and navigating educational change, and I’m always eager to continue learning from others in the field. View all posts by Dr Jake Madden