Leadership can change everything. Sometimes very quickly. A teacher friend of mine shared her recent experience with me. The principal at her school left a few days before the start of the school year. Progress had been slow with this principal at the helm. Under the principal’s leadership, the school couldn’t and didn’t get enough of the right things done. Resources were strained to the limit and teachers were overworked and made to feel guilty if they took time off.

A new principal was hired a few days ago. Walking into her classroom, my friend was greeted by three building professionals hard at work, one offering to even paint her room, which she was prepared to do that day. Suddenly, there are resources, some new enthusiasm and a get-it-done spirit. And this is being accomplished in the same system, with the same budget, by the same people.

The right leader makes all the difference.