Personal Characteristics of Effective Headteachers and Senior Leaders

							Personal Characteristics of Effective Headteachers and Senior Leaders

Characteristic         Definition                                             Competencies                                 Key Concepts
Personal Conviction    A passionate commitment to education, based on           Passionate commitment to Education          Self-belief
                       either deeply held values or beliefs born out of a       Decision making and calculated risk         Self management
                       desire to serve CYP, parents and the community            taking
                                                                                Resilience

Performance Focus      A relentless approach to setting and achieving           Clarity of vision                             Relentless drive for improvement
                       challenging goals and securing support from others       Strategic thinking                            Determination
                       based on an informed interpretation of current           Analysing and information seeking             Anticipation and initiative
                       and future needs. Sets high expectations to              Setting and achieving challenging goals       Not accepting mediocrity
                       ensure that high quality provision meets the needs       Accepts accountability and holding
                       of all learners. Ensures that all achieve their           others to account
                       personal goals.                                          High expectations of self and others

Communicating          The drive and ability to produce effective and           Skilful communication according to            Achieving outcomes through others
                       efficient outcomes by impressing and influencing          audience                                      Concern for impact
                       the ways in which others work and operate. The           Influencing                                   Gains commitment
                       ability and determination to understand why              Building networks                             Presenting information
                       others behave, respond and act the way they do.                                                         Facilitation
                                                                                                                               Tact and diplomacy
                                                                                                                               Enthusing and Motivating self and
                                                                                                                                others

Interpersonal          Ability to demonstrate a clear commitment to             Respect for others                          Understands others and can
Sensitivity            diversity and respect for others.                        Political sensitivity                        empathise
                                                                                Adhering to principles and values           Balances challenge and support
                                                                                                                             Cares

Managing               A clear desire to work with others both inside and       Partnership working                         Tasking others
Effectiveness          outside the school community to achieve shared           Building effective teams                    Tasking with capability, authority and
                       goals. The drive to develop others’ capabilities and                                                   responsibility
                       help them realise their full potential.

Personal Development   A strong sense of self-awareness and continual           Reflective                                  Seeks feedback
                       improvement in order to increase personal and            Seeks organisational reflection             Reflect on own performance and
                       organisational effectiveness and outcomes                                                              contribution
                                                                                                                             Acts on views of stakeholders
                                                                                                                             Acts on views of external agencies
                                                                                                                             Learns from successes and mistakes