Work-Life Balance for a School Superintendent

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Several years ago, a trainer of school leaders offered the following: “There’s not much that you [principals and superintendents] do to make your jobs look appealing. It’s not a surprise that there is a shortage of people willing to move into leadership positions.” That leader was right then, and is right now – perhaps even more so.

It has long been true that some aspects of a superintendent’s role are 24/7 conditions–the demands of being “on call,” or the requirement of attending after-hours events on evenings and weekends– make it especially challenging to create a healthy balance between work and life with family. Such conditions mean that school leaders have to be intentional about creating meaningful lines that allow for rest, renewal and time for those they love.

Caring for Yourself – Physically and Spiritually
It is critical for school leaders to find time to care for the body that carries them through their demanding work. For many people, the early morning time is sacred. Activities such as regular exercise can be helpful to stimulate the body physically. For others, a devotional time to stimulate the mind spiritually can be helpful. It doesn’t matter what time of day you schedule these activities, just that you do them.

Using the Time We Have Better
Many school leaders don’t use the time they have very efficiently or effectively. In short, leaders must learn to own their day lest the day owns them. Using a sports analogy, school leaders can easily go through their day on defense without ever really playing offense. How often are we able to move out of reaction mode and into a position where we’re moving the ball in the right direction?

An example would be to “own your day” in chunks. While it is unlikely that you’re going to be able to devote an entire day (or half-day) to the most important activities of your work, it is very possible to sustain campus or classroom visits for 45 minutes or an hour at a time. Scheduling time to write a weekly newsletter, return phone calls, write notes of appreciation, or do tasks that you don’t particularly enjoy are some simple, but valuable ways to use your time. This, in turn, means that the limited time at home with family is truly set aside for those you love.

Collaborative Teams Aren’t Just for Teachers
Regardless of the size of your school or district, great people are all around you. Sometimes, school leaders’ desire to be in control of everything reduces overall productivity and prevents others from growing their capacity as leaders.

Jim Vaszauskas, a retired large-school superintendent in the Fort Worth area, encourages school chiefs to remember the power in asking great questions (as opposed to doing everything). He reminds us that, in some cases, the best thing for a superintendent to do is to ask his/her “direct reports” great questions about the major activities in the district. In other words, it is critical that we allow others the space and time to do their jobs.

Leaning on others and letting go of the need to control every aspect of work is an invaluable tool in making jobs manageable, building confidence and trust in those around us, and making organizations stronger and more effective. Dr. Cynthia Ryan teaches that it is a good practice to regularly ask oneself, “What am I currently doing that someone else could be doing?” Every leader has a team; the most successful ones learn how to use them.

Draw Clearer Lines
Does your time with family and friends really belong to you, your family and your friends? One of the greatest gifts you can afford yourself as a school leader is to truly unplug from time to time. Just as you’re able to own your day at work in chunks, make sure you’re creating time and space for those you love most. A dinner with your family should be free of cell phones. Set aside evenings and weekend time that is sacred. Our families sacrifice a lot in these roles; it’s right that we honor our time with loved ones with the same dedication we lead our schools.

Remember Our Purpose
School leadership is a wonderful career because it is rooted in deep meaning and great purpose. What job is more important than shaping lives and creating a better future for young people? As important as it is to set aside time to rest and renew, it’s equally important to extend yourself grace. Some weeks you will hit the mark better than others. Some days will knock out of balance your best attempts to carve out time for family. Intentionally creating boundaries, time and space for life beyond school leadership can make this career one that is truly sustainable– not for just a few years, but for a long career marked by lives and communities that are changed for the better.