The Leaders Leaders Need Reflections from ULEAD 2025
When I attended ULEAD in Banff this year, I was reminded of the power that comes from gathering with passionate educational leaders from across the globe. Framed against the backdrop of the stunning Rocky Mountains, the conversations were equally expansive and grounded, rooted in the real challenges faced in schools today.
One theme echoed throughout the sessions and hallway conversations: leaders need leaders, too. As the demands on Principals and Vice-Principals continue to grow, so does the need for those leaders to know they are supported, understood, and inspired by others in the education system. In a time when the weight of leading school communities has never been heavier, we must ask ourselves: Who is supporting the leaders at the front of our system?
The reality is that Principals and Vice-Principals are carrying more than just operational responsibility – they are navigating complex social issues, responding to the emotional needs of staff, students, and the community, and leading educational transformation. This is all while they remember to take care of themselves, go to the gym, eat well, drink plenty of water, get some sleep, get outside, surround themselves with good friends, stay connected, have some time alone, read and make sure they are life-long learners. In this environment, Principals and Vice-Principals need the support of their leaders.
Throughout my time at ULEAD, I connected with many local, national, and international leaders. In our conversations, some common themes emerged about the qualities that Principals and Vice-Principals hope for in their senior leaders:
1. Empathy
At the core of all strong leadership is the ability to understand and feel affinity with others. Principals and Vice-Principals need senior leaders who are present, who listen without judgment, and who truly understand the day-to-day realities of school life. Empathetic leadership builds trust, and trust creates the conditions for courageous conversations and real collaboration. Empathetic leaders believe in those doing the heavy lifting in schools, and truly see and value their work.
2. Visibility
Leadership from the central office must be visible. That means not only showing up physically in schools, but being genuinely engaged in the work happening there. When senior leaders walk alongside their school-based colleagues, it sends a powerful message: We see you. We value you.
3. Courage
Leaders at every level need to make difficult decisions, and Principals and Vice-Principals are continually addressing differing needs. Whether advocating for necessary resources, challenging outdated practices, or standing up for equity, courageous leadership at the top empowers others.
4. Clarity
With so many competing priorities in education, school leaders crave clarity on direction, purpose, and expectations. Senior leaders who provide a clear vision and consistent communication help school leaders focus on what matters most: learning, people, and community.
5. Inspiration
Above all, leaders need to be inspired. School leadership can be isolating and emotionally taxing. When senior leaders bring energy, passion, and a sense of purpose to their roles, that spirit ripples throughout the system. Inspiration fuels resilience, and resilience sustains leadership.
At ULEAD, we were reminded that leadership is never a solo journey. If we want our schools to be strong, we need strong Principals and Vice-Principals; and, if we want strong school leaders, we need senior leaders who are present, principled, and profoundly human.
Leaders thrive when they are supported by leadership that nurtures, models, and enables positive behaviours in order to maintain a strong and high-functioning education system.