Education is fundamentally about people. Whether we’re leading students or colleagues, our ability to connect, communicate, and collaborate is what drives success. By prioritizing leadership training for teacher leaders, we not only support their individual journeys but also strengthen the fabric of our school communities. When we invest in our people, we build schools where everyone - students and staff alike - can thrive.

As an education leadership consultant with over a decade of experience, I’ve witnessed the challenges new school administrators face when transitioning into their roles. Most preparation programs excel at teaching the technical aspects of school management—legal frameworks, master scheduling, and compliance with policies. However, a critical gap persists: the human-centered leadership skills essential for navigating the complex, emotionally charged realities of leading a school community. Research supports this observation: a 2019 Wallace Foundation study found that while 80% of principals felt confident in technical skills, only 40% felt prepared to handle interpersonal conflicts or foster a positive school culture.

Despite the significant investment schools make in character education and social-emotional learning programs, we have not seen a corresponding decrease in student mental health challenges. Rates of anxiety, depression, and stress among young people remain stubbornly high, suggesting that these approaches alone may not be enough. 

When we think of youth leadership in schools, the image that often comes to mind is a student council election or the class president giving a speech. But true leadership is much broader, and every student can benefit from opportunities to lead, regardless of whether they hold a formal title.

Youth leadership training is a pivotal investment in the development of young individuals, equipping them with the skills, confidence, and vision necessary to become effective leaders in their communities and beyond. Here are some of the key benefits of participating in youth leadership programs.

What makes a good instructional coach? Is content knowledge or people skills?

Encouraging leadership in teens is a crucial step in their personal and professional development. But for most, it seems hard to execute as the idea is a little abstract and overcomplicated. Helping people build their confidence has little to do with what you say to them and more to do with what responsibility you give to them.

Great leadership is rarely about being everything to everyone. It’s about knowing your strengths, recognizing your limitations, and surrounding yourself with the right people to complement your abilities. Organizations that prioritize building balanced leadership teams will not only avoid the pitfalls of one-dimensional leadership but also create a foundation for sustainable success.

Leadership is hard. It’s not a natural next step for everyone, and that’s okay. The key is recognizing that leading isn’t about being the best at the work itself; it’s about empowering others to be their best. When we invest in helping leaders build the skills they need, we create better work environments, stronger teams, and a brighter future for everyone involved.

Learn how to start a student leadership program in your school with our comprehensive guide. Discover the steps to develop leadership skills, engage students, and create a positive school culture.

Building a youth leadership program that fosters a student-led school culture requires those that have been in the field to let go of some pre-conceived notions about structure and ownership. Student-Led is the future. That is, if you want a school culture that is impactful and drives engagement. Students need to be the drivers of their reality. It creates buy-in to a system of education that is not human-centered or aware.

Let’s be honest, not everyone is into the idea of letting students decide how to build a school culture. It involves letting go of control to a certain extent. Not many like this idea. Too often students are asked for their input on what could be done but little action comes from the students’ voice.  What is a surefire way to make sure students don’t participate in school culture? You guessed it - don’t take their input seriously.

Teen leadership development programs prepare students for the future through presenting challenges that allow them to practice their communication and problem-solving skills. Here are 10 skills to build in your programs.

When selecting a strategic planning consultant, it is best to select those who have industry experience. All schools, whether public or independent, live a dual reality. They have to manage finances and watch the bottom line like any business, but while also being viewed by the community as a service organization where only “doing right by the community” matters.

Increasing engagement of community stakeholders is hard. But it doesn't have to be. There are key steps to take and strategies to execute that can have a direct impact on your stakeholder engagement.