Establishing and Maintaining Focus Knowing What Not to Do Is as Important as Knowing What to Do

A myriad of legitimate issues constantly compete for a principal’s time and energy. Ordinary principals work hard to meet these demands and often feel overwhelmed. Because their goals are vague and their commitment to them is weak, it’s difficult to say no to competing demands. As a result, their efforts are diffused over a broad range of objectives and although they and their teachers work hard, they achieve only moderate results. Their schools may have great teachers but they never become great schools because they lack the synergy that results from a clear common focus that allows everyone to pull in the same direction.