In case you didn’t know, education is essential to human development…

The other day, I was having a conversation with a graduate student, and we were discussing their future classes, their future, and such. While wrapping up our discussion, I asked them, “What is your end goal?” They said, “To graduate the program.” To which I said, “Good idea.”

As I reflected on that conversation, I started thinking about what are the “end goals” of leadership, especially educational leadership…

At its central core, the end goals of educational leadership revolve around fostering an environment where learning isn’t a mere transaction but a transformational empowerment of others. I think of it as using compound interest formulas… We can lead with compounding interest based on periods, or we can lead with compounding continuously. When educational leaders lead continuously and cultivate the culture, improvement becomes a natural progression.

A perpetual cycle of growth is what we are going after. Where all stakeholders, from the students to the community, are engaged. It’s more than just academic achievement but extends to personal and professional development.

Another core concept for educational leadership is equity. All educational leaders should strive to build an educational system that ensures every student, regardless of background or circumstance, has equal access to a quality education. Leaders who break down barriers for the right reasons foster an environment where strength is recognized and enables a commitment to enrich education for all.

I have often said that education is that one last stronghold society has that can help it be better. Education goes beyond just academic knowledge of a certain topic. It helps with understanding cultural diversity and helping a person understand the complexities of the world we live in. Educational leaders who provide this learning for academics and culture create an enduring impact on the future.

The “end goal” – what is it for you as an educational leader?

When we enhance students’ learning and provide a dynamic atmosphere where students want to come, not because it is easy or laid back, but because they can feel and see future success with high standards that mark excellence, society’s future is shaped for the better. Educational leadership and leaders are the hinges that open or close those doors.

Go be a great educator and leader today… Our future needs it…