Back-to-School Leadership Tips for Aspiring Principals

It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been in education: you know that the first few weeks of the new school year have a pulse all their own. The hallways buzzing, the energy of everyone adjusting to new rhythms after the summer, and that mix of optimism and urgency that comes with a fresh start. Beneath it all is the quiet work of setting the tone and creating momentum for the months ahead. 

For those looking to be in the school leadership seat someday, back-to-school season is more than the launch of a new year. It’s a practice ground. Every interaction, every small act, and every new connection you make is both a signal that you’re ready to lead and an opportunity to practice that leadership. 

So as the year begins, think about where you can step forward—to aid in the short-term and to build your own leadership resume: 

Own a Piece of the “Back-to-school” Puzzle

The first few weeks of school can feel like controlled chaos. Well, let’s be real: they are controlled chaos. Everyone is learning a new routine, and with that brings a lot of “firsts” for students, teachers, families, and leaders alike.

In the midst of all of the newness, look for a tangible action you can own, where you can offer support in a way that’s aligned to your leadership style. Maybe it’s organizing a hallway “welcome crew” for the first week, or curating a “who’s who” board to help families and students get to know staff and teachers. Perhaps it’s lending help to a new teacher or staff member through a buddy system for the first few weeks of the semester—or being in charge of a “first day of school contingency plan.” 

When you see a need and then step up to meet it, you’re showing that you’re able to identify priorities, rally other people to solve challenges, and generally make things better. Those are leadership actions, regardless of title. 

Why it matters: Principals don’t just handle what’s in their job description, they figure out solutions to problems that happen in real-time. Your willingness to take ownership now makes it a no-brainer for trusting in your leadership and influence later!

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‍Make communication easier for everyone

Back-to-school season also brings information overload. Teachers, families, and students are flooded with details about schedules, policies, and expectations, often from multiple sources! While you might not be able to direct the communication roll-out for your entire school, there are still ways that you can work to make communication as clear and accessible as possible.

That might mean creating a quick reference sheet for your grade level or department with key dates, procedures, and contacts. You could maintain a shared folder with important resources so nobody has to hunt for them. Or, you might take the lead on summarizing the takeaways from your staff meetings in a way that’s easy to skim and apply. 

Why it matters: Clear communication is one of a principal’s most important tools. By stepping in to streamline it, even on a small scale, you show that you understand how the right information at the right time to the right person is what truly keeps a school running smoothly.

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Commit to Connecting People and Resources

The ability to build strong relationships is a critical skill for everyone—especially a school principal. There are plenty of ways to do that by actively listening, earning trust, and finding common ground. One of the quickest ways to do it is simply by connecting people—staff to staff, staff to families, school to community partners—with what they need.

You don’t need authority to create these bridges, you just need awareness and a willingness to help. If you hear that a new teacher at school is a runner, offer to connect them with the teacher that’s organized a low-key running club for educators and staff. If you overhear that a parent has experience with event planning, make sure to introduce them to the admin who’s in charge of the school assemblies. Even the most everyday introductions can be impactful ones. 

Why it matters: Principals are rarely the sole solution to a problem. More often, they’re the person who knows who else to bring into the conversation. Your ability to connect people now offers a preview of how you’d lead later.

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Practice Active Listening From Day One

Yes, leadership is about what you say and do—but it’s also about how you notice and understand what’s happening around you. That starts with intentional, active listening.

The Co-Active Training Institute describes three levels of listening. At Level 1, “internal listening,” you’re focused on your own reactions and responses. Level 2, “focused listening,” means giving undivided attention to the speaker. Level 3, “global listening,” goes further—tuning into what’s not being said, such as body language, tone, or pauses.

When meeting new colleagues, students, or families, practice the third level. Ask questions like, “I noticed you hesitated. Are there details you’re still considering?” or “Your expression lit up just now, would you like to be involved in this?” Noticing both verbal and non-verbal cues shows people they’re heard and seen.

Why it matters: Principals build trust by making people feel valued and understood. Practicing active listening now will help you form stronger relationships and make better-informed decisions in the future.

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Seek Early Feedback Like a Leader

Strong leaders never stop learning. They treat every experience as a chance to grow—and they seek feedback on how to do it better. The hard part? Feedback can be hard to ask for, and even harder to obtain. It’s not the most comfortable place to be in, so make it easier on both you and the person you’ve come to for feedback by having a “go-to” question. 

A go-to question is one that can’t be answered with a simple “yes” or “no”—it’s a question that gets you a clear and actionable response. For example, asking “Do you have any feedback for me?” will rarely get you the specifics you’re looking for. On the other hand, a question like, “What’s one way I could support you?” or “Is there something that I should stop, start, or continue to do in our work together?” will yield the most direct results. After you ask your question, be ready to act on it. When you apply feedback and let people know that it’s made a difference, you’re reinforcing that you not only value their input, but that it’s safe to be candid with you. 

Why it matters: Feedback builds self-awareness, and self-awareness builds credibility. When people see you learning openly, they’re more likely to see you as someone ready for leadership.

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Show Up Ready to Lead

Back-to-school season moves fast, but it also leaves a lasting impression on students, families, and the colleagues you work alongside every day. The way you choose to show up now becomes part of your professional reputation.

By owning meaningful tasks, streamlining communication, making connections, listening with intention, and seeking actionable feedback, you’re not just helping the school run more smoothly in September. You’re building the habits, relationships, and credibility that principals rely on year-round.

When an opportunity for leadership opens, you won’t need to convince anyone you’re ready. They’ll have already seen you in action.

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