A Superintendent Writes... Getting a Principalship - Part 2

In response to the 8/28/2013 post, “Getting a Principalship,” a LYS Superintendent writes:

LYS AP,

Cain nailed this one.  Like Cain, I have taken jobs under Condition 6 (Be the Only One Willing to Take the Job) and they are risky.  There is a reason why the sane and prudent people are running away from particular jobs.  Meaning that if you take a job under Condition 6 know that you probably won't be there long.

I spent 5 years as an AP and was very discouraged that I did not get any of the principal jobs I applied for, although I got interviews.  BUT, I limited myself, which caused the delay.  I limited myself to a particular geography.  If you are not willing to move for a job, your odds of moving up are dramatically reduced.

After 5 years as an AP I got a Condition 6 high school principal job, succeeded and failed at the same time (typical for Condition 6).  That job set up the next job, which then set me on the path to the Superintendency. The Equation of Leadership often is, “What are you willing to risk? Where are you willing to go?”

Think. Work. Achieve.

Your turn...

• Call Jo at (832) 477-LEAD to order your campus set of “The Fundamental 5: The Formula for Quality Instruction.” Individual copies available on Amazon.com!  http://tinyurl.com/Fundamental5 
• Call Jo at (832) 477-LEAD to order your campus set of “Look at Me: A Cautionary School Leadership Tale” Individual copies available on Amazon.com!  http://tinyurl.com/lookatmebook 
• Now at the Apple App Store: Fun 5 Plans (Fundamental 5 Lesson Plan Tool); PW Lite (Basic PowerWalks Tool); PW Pro (Mid-level PowerWalks Tool) 
• Upcoming Presentations: NASSP National Conference; The 21^st Century High School Conference  
• Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation  and like Lead Your School on Facebook