The Organizational Leader as CCO (Chief Cultural Officer)

I’ve heard it said that great culture attracts great people, and I would add that great culture keeps great people!  If you desire your school to be a place with great culture,  it has to start with you!  The leader is the Chief Cultural Officer (CCO), role model and trust builder in the school family. 

First, get a clear vision of what you want the culture to look like and then embody it.  Write it down!  Define it! Live it…and expect others to follow suit.

Second, you have to build trust within the community through genuine humility and connection with your leadership team, teachers, students, parents, and board.  Respectfully listen to your people and they will feel valued.

Third, make sure everyone knows the school’s main purpose so that everyone is on the same page.  Communicate, communicate, communicate the mission, vision, and goals of your school until you are sick of hearing yourself talk about it…it’s about then that people start to hear you!  People want to be a part of an organization that has meaning and a higher purpose!

Your school’s culture can be one of the strongest forces for ensuring excellent academics and discipleship. But, in order to push toward the culture that you you dream of, you must have a clear vision of what that culture looks and feels like. As Zig Ziglar said, “If you aim at nothing, you hit it every time.”