As we mark National School Business Leader Day, I’ve been reflecting on the story we tell ourselves within the School Business Leadership community.
When I first became involved in professional networks, the purpose felt clear. We shared ideas and solved problems together. We celebrated success, we learned from one another and we asked for help. Most importantly, we reminded each other that none of us was facing the challenges of school leadership alone.
I’m not sure whether it is just what my algorithms send me but, over the last year, the online conversations seem increasingly dominated by negativity. Posts highlighting impossible workloads and questioning whether the role is valued. Posts suggesting School Business Leaders are overlooked, unsupported or powerless. Posts which are designed to provoke frustration, outrage or division.
A post that makes people angry will often travel much further than a post that quietly helps someone solve a problem. Add AI into the mix and it has become easier than ever to generate content designed to trigger a reaction. But I find myself asking an important question. Is this helping the profession, or is it actually hurting it?
Of course, there are genuine challenges. Budgets are tight and expectations continue to grow. Many School Business Leaders are balancing multiple priorities and carrying significant responsibility.
Those realities deserve discussion.
However, there is a difference between acknowledging challenges and creating a narrative of hopelessness. If we repeatedly tell people that their role is impossible, eventually they will begin to believe it. If we repeatedly tell people they are not valued, eventually they will stop recognising the value they bring. If we repeatedly tell people they have no influence, eventually they will stop trying to influence.
That concerns me, particularly for those newer to the profession. Imagine joining School Business Leadership today and forming your understanding of the role primarily through social media. What picture would you see? Would you see strategic leaders shaping the future of schools? Would you see professionals influencing boards and executive teams? Would you see colleagues leading financial sustainability, operational excellence, risk management and organisational improvement? Or would you see a profession constantly being told that it is exhausted, overwhelmed and undervalued?
Over time, the story we tell ourselves shapes how we think, how we behave and what we believe is possible. The School Business Leaders I most admire do not spend their time focusing on why they cannot make a difference. They focus on where they can. They build relationships, develop expertise, earn credibility, influence decisions, and communicate effectively with those around them.
They acknowledge challenges but they are not defined by them.
As a profession, we should absolutely challenge poor practice, advocate for fair recognition and support colleagues who are struggling. But we should also recognise the responsibility that comes with having a public voice.
My number one piece of advice is to always remember that education is about people. If social media is leaving you discouraged, stop scrolling and start connecting.
- Talk to your line manager (and I mean really talk!)
- Find a mentor.
- Join a professional network.
- Attend a conference.
- Learn something new.
- Share something useful.
- Ask for a seat at the table.
- Volunteer for a project.
Build your influence one conversation at a time and remember that networking should build people up. Collaboration should create solutions. Professional communities should leave people feeling more confident, not less.
Through my work with aspiring, new and experienced SBLs, I see every day that the next generation of School Business Leaders is watching and listening. The question we should ask ourselves is simple…
Are we helping them see the opportunities within this profession, or are we unintentionally teaching them to only see the obstacles?
I know which conversation I would rather be part of. A profession worth believing in is built by people who support one another, challenge one another and help one another grow. Let’s spend less time telling each other why we can’t and more time helping each other discover how we can.
If a new School Business Leader was reading this today, what one piece of advice would you give them?
Emma
