Australian Principals Federation

Leadership in Crisis: A Playbook for Leaders

In today's uncertain landscape, marked by rapid change and external pressures, school leaders must adapt their approach. While core leadership principles endure, the current climate demands an amplified focus on specific behaviours. Here’s your essential playbook for navigating complexity and leading with impact:

 

7 Essential Leadership Behaviours for Triage Mode:

  1. Display Fierce Resolve: Your staff is looking to you for unwavering belief that challenges can be overcome. Project confidence and a commitment to navigate through difficulties, embodying a protective, hands-on approach.

     

  2. Be Brutally Honest (but resolved): Communicate directly and transparently, even with tough news. Admit when you don't have all the answers and actively seek input. Your honesty must reinforce, not undermine, your resolve.

     

  3. Trust Faster: Empower your team by extending trust readily. This accelerates performance and encourages ownership, even if occasional adjustments are needed.

     

  4. Accelerate Decision-Making: Prioritize rapid learning and iterative action over exhaustive analysis. Frame issues quickly, test ideas, and refine on the go. Don't wait for perfection when time is critical.

     

  5. Say "No" Faster: Focus is paramount. Ruthlessly evaluate initiatives against your core goals. Be prepared to discard or postpone non-essential tasks to maintain momentum on what truly matters.

     

  6. Invoke "Commander's Intent": Clearly define the desired end state of any strategy or initiative. Then, empower your team to determine the best path to achieve it, fostering autonomy and clear direction.

     

  7. Maximize Empathy: Understand and acknowledge the fears and perspectives of your staff. Connect deeply, share your own concerns, and work collaboratively to build confidence and drive out fear.

 

By consciously amplifying these seven behaviours, school leaders can effectively guide their teams through challenging times, fostering resilience and high performance.

 

Art Petty: “It’s the right time to refresh your leadership playbook” in SmartBrief, March 2025