From the Acting Headmaster

This week, I have had the privilege to meet with our prospective Captains and Vice-Captains for 2023.  Again, I am reminded that as educators and adults in our young people's lives, we share the same hopes for what is to come.

As I spent almost 90 minutes with these young people, I shared the following ideas I have learned over my journey in leadership after many years of listening to leadership experts like John Maxwell, Danielle Strickland, Craig Groeschel and Andy Stanley. I summarised much of my thinking into the following points for our young people to consider as they look to become a leader that others love to follow.

1. Leadership is never about you. While being recognised as a leader is excellent, the end game is never about you. Good leaders know their role is to mobilise and enable their teams. However, Andy Stanley observes that the best leaders are more concerned with making a difference than with themselves.
2. Leaders must come to the table with a heart to care. Forget about talking about profits, benefits, outcomes and bonuses. The research indicates that what the majority of people want from their leaders is to be seen and heard and that they matter. Good leaders remind themselves of this constantly. 
3. Leaders need to 'Wow' things into existence rather than 'how' it to death. Perhaps leaders' biggest mistake is killing good ideas before they have a chance to breathe. Creating an invitation that understands that good ideas can come from anyone invites a more bold approach to improvement. 
4. Members of your team can outshine you. The leader does not have to be the team's smartest or most capable person. It is rarely the case. Allow others in your team to shine; when they do, get the spotlight out and shine it on them. 
5. Admit mistakes. The biggest cover-up is pretending that leaders do not make mistakes. My personal experience is this is a regular occurrence. Be honest, be humble and be willing to apologise. Leadership is about relationships, not about personal branding. People would rather follow someone real than someone who is always right.
6. Always look to learn. In my church, there is a 93-year-old gentleman who has been involved in significant humanitarian projects all his life. Most recently, he enrolled in another leadership course. Why? He said he wants to be a better leader next year than now. I love that story. If we genuinely want to lead, we will always learn as much as we can about leadership. Don't stop learning - you may be good right now, but you will be excellent as the years go by.  

I can assure you all that, like this year's student leaders, the 2023 student leadership team will significantly contribute to the life of our School and its reputation. We as a School are compelled to not simply give them a badge but also grow them in ways that see them flourish. And this is not just for those elected as our Captains, Vice Captains etc. It is true for every student who walks through the gates of Blue Mountains Grammar School. The world is crying out for courageous leaders - and as a School, we know where they are.

Mr Steven Coote 

Acting Headmaster  

P.S:  It would not be appropriate for me to write about our student leadership program without also posting a 'thank you to our Deputy Headmaster, Mr Laffin, along with his team. The process has involved over 60 interviews, the reading of applications, voting, calls to families and much more. The process is extensive and has been in operation for many months. It is another thing that happens in our School that, unless mentioned, will go unnoticed. 

So to everyone involved - THANK YOU!