BE AGILE!
GET YOUR AGILE LEADERSHIP ON
Stand-Up Meetings: Because Nagging Isn't a Leadership Style
Do you hear people use the phrase, “People need to be reminded time and time again on what is expected of them to do”? As a school leader, principal, you get times when you have to constantly tell your staff what to do and how to do it—it’s basically micromanaging. However, when there is constantly a huge gap between what is expected and what has been done, you, as a principal, will always be at your wit’s end. These scenarios can span from issues of school culture, classroom teaching, ways of doing things, and many more. To avoid constantly reminding your teachers and workers on what to do and effectively getting it done, I recommend the art of stand-up meetings. Just as the name implies, a stand-up meeting. This isn’t your regular roundtable meeting but a 15-minute meeting where instructors gather in accordance with departments or even purpose to discuss at a higher level their work for the day. 3 Important Things: 1. What did you do yesterday as an instructor? 2. What are you doing today? 3. Is there any challenge you are facing or going to face today? As instructors answer these questions, they hold themselves accountable, they think with precision on how to carry on with their work effectively, and even envisage possible challenges that may come up during the day. Remember that as a principal or school owner, you don’t have to be in that meeting. It allows for a lot of openness and makes you see the work at hand. It also allows for accountability. It makes everyone be on the same page in your school and eliminates ambiguity. So, the next time you ever want to get things done in your school without daily reminders to your staff, introduce the Agile method of daily stand-ups.
Putting Learners First: A Fresh Perspective for Educators
Let’s be honest—it’s easy for educators to focus on students passing their final exams rather than embracing the full journey of teaching and learning. But is that really the best approach? When education is reduced to just passing exams, we risk missing out on the real magic: shaping young minds and positively influencing their futures. Instead of merely helping students pass, shouldn’t we be ensuring that learning is meaningful, impactful, and long-lasting? It’s also tempting for schools to prioritize flashy infrastructure—state-of-the-art buildings, modern classrooms, and aesthetically pleasing environments. While these are important, the real question is: How do these decisions benefit the learners? Learners at the Heart of Every Decision Imagine if every policy, decision, and investment in education revolved around learners first. What if we focused on making learning experiences exciting, engaging, and transformative? When educators put learners at the center, incredible things happen: ✅ Students get that “wow” feeling—they are excited to learn! ✅ Teachers instruct better—because they understand the deeper purpose behind their methods. ✅ Schools innovate meaningfully—not just following trends but implementing real, learner-driven change. The Balancing Act: Parents vs. Learners Here’s a tough question for educators: Are our decisions benefiting parents more than the learners? It’s easy to get caught up in what parents want—whether it’s skipping grades, advanced placements, or certain teaching styles. But as educators, we must carefully strike a balance between keeping parents happy and doing what’s best for students. One school principal I worked with shared a major challenge: parents constantly requesting their children to skip grades. Some parents, worried about age or height differences, insisted that their kids move ahead faster. They even threatened to transfer their children to other schools if their requests weren’t granted. At first, the principal gave in. But soon, the requests spiraled out of control. More and more parents demanded the same, and the school faced a tough dilemma. The Big Question: Is It Really Beneficial? In situations like this, educators must pause and ask: ❓ Is this decision truly helpful for the learner? ❓ Is it in the best interest of the school? ❓ Are we prioritizing long-term learning over short-term satisfaction? The truth is, skipping grades without proper preparation can be detrimental to a child’s development—socially, emotionally, and academically. Education is not a race; it’s a journey. Final Thought: What’s Your WHY? As an educator, take a moment to reflect: ✔️ What is the end goal of your decisions? ✔️ Are you creating policies that truly support learning? ✔️ Are you following trends or making informed, learner-focused choices? When the spotlight is on learners, every decision becomes meaningful, impactful, and innovative. And that’s what real education should be about! So, next time you’re making an important decision in your school, ask yourself: Is this what’s best for the learner? If the answer is yes, you’re on the right track!