What I Wish I Knew My First Year as Principal

Hey there! So good to see you again. 👋🏼

It’s that time of year. New principals are being named, announcements are going out, and inboxes are lighting up with “Congratulations!” emails.

If that’s you - welcome. You just accepted one of the hardest, most important jobs in education.

And if that’s not you - if you’ve been in this game for a while - this is still your season. Becasue every spring, we’re all reminded: This job is not about surviving. It’s about showing up like it matters. Because it does. 

I’ve been doing this long enough to have a few scars. And enough clarity now to say this:

There are some things I really wish I had known when I first took the principal’s seat.

The Reality Check: No One Tells You This Part

Let’s get one thing out of the way:

You will not be ready.
No course, no certification, no mentor will fully prepare you.
This job has to be lived.

The first year? It’s a blur.

• You’re trying to learn everyone’s name while also making decisions that impact lives.

• You’re supposed to “lead instructionally,” but you’re also managing HVAC repairs and lunch duty.

• Everyone is watching you - some rooting for you, some waiting to see if you’re the real deal.

And in the middle of it, there’s this silent pressure to prove yourself.

But here’s the truth: No one needs a hero. They need a human who leads. You got this.

What I Wish I Knew (That You Should Know Now)

🔥 1. Visibility > Control
You don’t lead from your office.
Be in the halls. In classrooms. In the cafeteria. The more you show up, the more people will trust you - even if you don’t have it all figured out.

🔥 2. Feedback is a Gift - Even the Tough Kind
You will make mistakes. Own them early and publicly.
Teachers and parents don’t expect perfection. They expect responsiveness. When something goes sideways, say: “That’s on me. Let’s make it right.”

🔥 3. Listen Before You Lead
You don’t have to fix everything right away.
Ask questions. Learn the story of the school. Understand what’s sacred before you try to change it. Your credibility will come from what you honor - not what you disrupt.

🔥 4. You Can’t Do It Alone (Stop Trying)
Build your crew early - one teacher, one para, one front office anchor.
Leadership is lonely if you let it be. Don’t.

🔥 5. You Have to Lead the Culture First
Instruction, systems, discipline - all of it follows the culture you set.
If your staff doesn’t feel safe, supported, and seen, the rest won’t matter.

Leadership Moves You Can Make This Week

For the new principal (or the veteran who needs a reset):

Set Up Listening Rounds
Talk to staff individually or in small groups. Ask: “What’s working? What’s not? What do you need from me?”

Be Where the Action Is
Block 60 minutes a day to be visible - greeting kids, walking classrooms, sitting with students. No agenda. Just presence.

Find One Anchor
Identify one person on staff who knows the pulse of the building and build trust fast. Every leader needs a truth-teller.

Write Your 100-Day Post-It
What do you want to be true after your first 100 days? Not for the district report - for you. Keep it in your desk drawer. Check it weekly.

Final Thought: Leadership is Earned, Not Appointed

You may be getting the title this month. But the trust? That’ll come day by day.

You don’t have to be the smartest person in the building.
You don’t have to have all the answers.
But you do have to show up. With humility. With presence. With heart.

To the new principals out there: You’ve got this.
To the veterans reading this: Someone’s watching how you lead right now. Be the model they need.

Know someone who needs this - a future leader? Please forward this email to them.

📩 What’s one lesson you’d share with a first-year principal? Hit reply - I’d love to feature some of the best responses in an upcoming email.

On A Recent Episode of The Principal School Podcast…

Embarking on your first year as a principal is both exhilarating and challenging. To support you on this journey, I’ve curated a selection of episodes from The Principal School Podcast that offer valuable insights and practice advice for school leaders:

• Why Principals Need to Lead Like CEOs (And What That Really Means)

• Making Learning Relevant to Students’ Lives Now (Not “Someday”)

• Why Homework Isn’t Working (And What Schools Can Do Instead)

These episodes are designed to equip you with the tools and perspectives needed to navigate the complexities of school leadership. For ongoing insights and strategies - without the fluff - subscribe to The Principal School Podcast and join a community dedicated to transformative educational leadership.

🎧 Subscribe now!