Great principals do a thousand things in a given week. They solve problems, support teachers, calm worried parents, guide students, analyze data, and keep a school moving forward.
It’s complex work. But when you step back and look closely, the most effective principals tend to get a few foundational things consistently right.
Here are ten of the habits that set great principals apart:
1. They recognize the value of every adult in the building. From teachers to custodians to office staff, great principals know that schools succeed because of people. They notice the work others do, and they make a point to say thank you often.
2. They support their teachers—especially when it matters most. Whether the challenge is a difficult student, a frustrated parent, or a tense situation with a colleague, great principals stand beside their teachers. They trust them. They believe in them. And their staff knows they have someone in their corner.
3. They lead from the halls, not just the office. Great principals understand that leadership happens where learning happens. You’ll find them in classrooms, hallways, the lunchroom, the bus line, and at carpool—engaging with students and connecting with staff.
4. They involve others in decisions. Great principals know they don’t have all the answers—and they don’t try to. They seek input, invite perspectives, and empower others to help shape the direction of the school.
5. They stay focused on learning. Student achievement is always on their radar. They spend time in classrooms, encourage strategic instruction, and ensure assessments are meaningful. Most importantly, they help teachers use data to better meet the needs of their students.
6. They cultivate collaboration. Great principals know that teaching can’t be a solo sport. They intentionally create structures and expectations that help teachers learn from one another and grow together.
7. They refuse to settle for the status quo. The best principals hold high expectations—for themselves and for everyone in the building. They articulate a compelling vision and challenge their school community to keep getting better.
8. They protect staff morale. Great principals know that culture matters. They work to create an environment where teachers feel respected, supported, and proud to work.
9. They bring positive energy every day. Schools are emotional places, and leadership energy is contagious. Great principals understand that positivity isn’t optional—it’s essential.
10. They always keep students at the center. Every decision, every conversation, every initiative ultimately comes back to one question: What’s best for kids? Great principals build relationships with students and make sure their well-being and success drive the work of the school.
None of these practices require perfection. But when principals commit to these habits day after day, they create schools where teachers feel supported, students feel valued, and learning thrives.
Cheers,
Danny
Welcome @OroMedonteFire Recruit Class 26-01, RFF’s LaPointe, Staples, Westenbrink, Nicolle, Marion, Marchand, Crichton, Walsh, Botterweg, Redden, Leach, Meade, Hawton & Finch (Kelly missing) today marks the start of your journey. Become the standard & put the end user first
ER doc here. Whenever there is a publicized poor outcome in ER, you can bet a minority will say Canada's publicly funded healthcare system is a failure. There are many problems with this nihilistic approach. 👇👇👇
Bad outcomes are real. There are no ER doctors in Canada disputing this fact. ER doctors like me are central to investigating and fixing the factors leading to bad outcomes - and we do it. However, you have to look at the whole picture. The whole picture means the denominator. The problem with naysayers is they have zero appreciation how many patients with chest pain (a salient example) get timely and correct care. The naysayers don't care about the vast majority of cases gone well.
Bad outcomes in ER mean we need more investment. We lag behind in hospital bed capacity in Canada. This has massive implications. The solution to this is more investments in hospitals - not less. Naysayers would scoff that why throw more good money at a bad system. Why not be "innovative" and try something "new".
In reality, if we had more hospital bed capacity we would have less ER overcapacity and patients with chest pain could be seen in the right place at the right time.
The naysayers will then go on and say let's privatize more of our healthcare system. This is the wrong approach. The average Canadian makes $72K before taxes. They don't have money to spend on healthcare (and they're already paying for it through taxes).
Profiteers love it when there is a bad outcome in our publicly funded healthcare system as it feeds their narrative and desire to get a cut of the big healthcare budgets. But no where in medical school or residency training are we taught that the wealth of the few improves the health of the many.
The other major problem is there are basically zero journalists and reporters in Canada who report in a fair and balanced manner the tremendous good that happens in our healthcare system on a daily basis.
Why would they?
Mrs. Jones had chest pain, she got timely tests, she had an angiogram the same day showing coronary disease, she got stented, went home and did well. This real type of story doesn't generate outrage, sell papers, get clicks or get people engaged/enraged.
That's a problem. I love our serious Canadian reporters but they only report on the few bad outcomes, never the good and so the public generates a pent-up overall negative view of the entire healthcare system - a view that is totally false.
Thanks for reading.
While many enjoy the holiday season with loved ones, frontline workers continue to keep our communities safe, healthy, and supported. Thank you for your service and the sacrifices you make every day – during the holidays and all year long.
The role of a leader is not to come up with all the great ideas. The role of a leader is to create an environment in which great ideas can happen.
#education#teachers
So great to see L3 taking advantage of our new training building tonight. ADC Benson and FF's @PerryYak , @FFFoley04 &
Van Deursen, along with TO Hutchinson hitting scrub zones tonight.
The role of a leader is not to come up with all the great ideas. The role of a leader is to create an environment in which great ideas can happen.
#education#teachers
Children want to succeed, want to make good choices, and want to be seen for their potential. But some carry invisible weights—trauma, hunger, exhaustion, learning struggles, or undiscovered/untreated mental health challenges like anxiety, depression, or ADHD. Their choices aren’t always a reflection of their will; sometimes they’re a reflection of their battles. When we lead with understanding, we open the door for every child to show us just how much they can shine.
#maslowbeforebloom
Join the discussion at: https://t.co/015cLKjJ1m
Meet the Team Tuesday!
Todays feature is a special edition because we’re not just featuring one member, we’re celebrating the entire OMFES crew from across all five stations (in two posts)!
Thank you all for your dedication and service to our community!
When I say relationships are at the heart of education, I don’t just mean warm and fuzzies.
I mean trust, boundaries, consistency, and honest feedback.
I mean high expectations and showing up even when it’s hard.
It’s not extra work—it’s the most important work.
But make no mistake—it is work.
When employees are underperforming, maybe it's not about them being slackers. Maybe it's not about them lacking pride. Maybe, it's about them lacking confidence. Maybe, it's about them not feeling competent. Good leaders are sensitive to this and work to empower their people.