Leadership Balance Beam, Essay Example

Abstract

This paper examines the leadership “balance beam” within the context of Educational Administration. The research examines the job responsibilities of the Administrator and the complementary activities that constitute success in this job function. In particular factors like time and stress management. The concept of achieving a work-life balance whilst remaining successful in the job role.

The Educational Administrator

In order for Educational Institutes to remain successful they require the services of competent administrators. Professional administration staff provides effective instructional leadership and assist in directing the day to day activities of the school. The role of the Administrator is pivotal in the establishment of educational standards and goals. They help to develop educational programs, monitor students’ academic progress and help in training teachers and staff in the school administrative procedures. The Administrator “who manages elementary. Middle and Secondary schools are called principles.” (US Dept of Labor, 2010).

The Principals also have extra curricula activities that involve meeting with students, parents, sponsors and educational committee members. More recently the principals have been delegated increased responsibility in the decision making aspect of the schools. In addition, they are responsible for both the hiring and firing of the teaching staff. Most important is the setting of clear goals and objectives for the teachers in order to manage the teacher’s performance appraisals. The role is also expected to be proficient in Finance and compilation of the schools budget and reporting on all financial matters to the School Board of Governors. More recently the role has embraced that of fund raising and securing financial sponsorship from local business.  It is indeed a diverse, challenging and demanding role that often fails to get the accolades or acknowledgements that the job deserves.

Complimentary Activities

Two of the big factors in the role are the management of time and stress. With time management, historically the Administrator relied upon the skill and efficiency of a good secretary. Indeed this function still exists in some Educational Institutes. The concept of cost cutting and streamlining has seen most Senior Administrators having to undertake the work themselves. With time managers like Outlook being integrated into word processing and e-mail this has become a great assist to the busy administrator.  Stress has been about achieving a better work life balance i.e. taking rest periods, holidays and physical exercise.  “Coordinating and interacting with faculty, parents, students, community members, business leaders, and State and local policymakers can be fast paced and stimulating, but also stressful and demanding” (US Dept of Labor, 2010).  Administrators owing to the time pressures are very vulnerable to stress and it is important that this is recognised and dealt with in a responsible fashion.  Environmental factors play a big part here – tranquil environments, use of nature i.e. parks, fields, fountains etc., reducing reliance on paper and using technology. “In the UK over 13 million working days are lost every year because of stress. Stress is believed to trigger 70% of visits to doctors, and 85% of serious illnesses (UK HSE stress statistics).” (Chapman, 2010).  Stress also can induce anger and the tension can lead to erosion in your working relationships, personal relationships and ability to make good decisions. It is an easy state to slide into and even harder to recognise without the help and advice of others. This can become a psychological condition that requires appropriate counselling. “Anger, like all the emotions, involves physiological and chemical changes in the body. Heart rates and adrenaline levels are affected as the body experiences anger. For some people these surges can become addictive and destructive. There is a fine line between acknowledging anger and venting it until it is out of control” (Pickup, 2008).

Balance Beam Areas

Women are taking up an increasing percentage of senior administrative jobs in Education and this promotes a number of challenges for them “Traversing the Balance Beam. The struggle for balance seems chronic as demands on women’s time and attention increase. Although the experience of multiple roles has been shown to enhance managerial effectiveness and women’s overall well-being, wearing many hats does create challenges.” (Centre for creative leadership).  Areas of balance factors include:

• Work / Life Balance – dedication to the job vs. homelife
• Controlling Stress / Anger – Maintaining a healthy leadership composure at work
• Time Management – Maintaining planning and effective time management over work schedules
• Rest and Relaxation – Means of “chilling out”, Spa’s, gym, exercise routines, holidays etc.
• Mentors – Build mentorship relationships to help you succeed
• Delegation – Effective delegation reduces your stress & inspires confidence in others
• Technology – gain familiarity with computers, software and automated assists.

Conclusions

With the stresses that modern day life imposes upon the busy administrator it is important to maintain a healthy work/life balance.  This is achieved by proper organization and control, taking physical exercise and meditation routines and spending time with your social family. It is important not only to be an effective leader but also an effective delegator, placing trust in subordinates in order to help alleviate the busy workload.

Works Cited

Centre for creative leadership. (n.d.). Women in Leadership: Navigating the Narrow Band and Balance Beam. Retrieved 10 9, 2010, from Leading Effectively Podcast: http://www.ccl.org/leadership/podcast/transcriptWomenInLeadership.aspx

Chapman, A. (2010). stress management. Retrieved 10 9, 2010, from BusinessBalls: http://www.businessballs.com/stressmanagement.htm

Pickup, D. (2008). Anger Management. Retrieved 10 8, 2010, from Counselling Directory: http://www.counselling-directory.org.uk/anger.html

US Dept of Labor. (2010). Education Administrators. Retrieved 10 9, 2010, from US Dept of Labor: http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos007.htm