In leadership and life, everything flows from the source of power we choose to tap into. A strong power source can fuel our growth, inspire others, and sustain our purpose. By contrast, a weak or misplaced source will drain us, leaving us ineffective and unfulfilled.
Think of it like this: If you’re driving a car, the engine is what keeps you moving forward. But even the most powerful engine is useless without fuel. Leaders are the same. The fuel we choose—our “power source”—will determine whether we make it to our destination or break down on the side of the road.
What’s Your Power Source?
Leadership begins with understanding what fuels you. Is it recognition? That’s temporary. Is it comfort? That won’t last. The best leaders draw their power from sources that endure—like vision, purpose, or the desire to serve others.
The lesson is simple: Fuel yourself with the right source, and you’ll fuel others along the way. When you tap into a power source that matters, you’ll not only lead better—you’ll live better.
Mission: The Power Source for a School
Every exceptional organization, including schools, also has a source of power that it draws from—a driving force that fuels its vision, unifies its staff, and as a result, positively impacts the students and the community. It’s not just what the school does but why it exists and how it transforms lives. That power source will never be found in endless binders of curriculum or test scores; it’s found in the heartbeat of the school’s mission.
Think of a school that thrives not just in academics but in its ability to inspire and nurture every student. Its mission, it’s source of power, might be a commitment to creating a safe haven for students, a belief in cultivating lifelong learners, or a passion for empowering future leaders. Whatever it is, a well-crafted mission becomes the power that fuels its success.
Let me share an example. Imagine a small, rural high school that was struggling with student attendance and low faculty morale. To address these issues, the principal, a strategic, forward-thinking leader, brought the entire staff together to collectively reflect on their purpose; teachers, custodians, kitchen staff, office clerks, everyone. The meeting wasn’t called so that the administration could tell the staff what their purpose should be; it was called to facilitate a team effort in which everyone was allowed and encouraged to share their ideas about the purpose of school and education in general. As a result of working together in meetings held over the next few weeks, the faculty and staff identified their mission, a statement and belief that would become their source of power: “We prepare students to thrive in a changing world by teaching them to adapt to the challenges of a changing world and create innovative solutions while leading themselves and others.” That mission statement began to change everything.
Teachers reimagined lessons to focus on creativity and critical thinking.
The school reached out to the community and established new partnerships with local businesses to provide not only additional sources of funding but also opportunities for students to participate in real-world learning experiences.
A quarterly recognition program was put in place to honor students for more than just their academic achievements, creating an environment of belonging and encouragement.
The results? Morale improved, attendance increased, the community rallied around the school, and students felt inspired to work toward a future that they now felt empowered to create. The power source of this transformation wasn’t a new program or more money—it was a shared purpose, a collectively crafted mission, that provided the inspiration required to fuel the change.
So, what’s the mission, the power source, of your school? Here are three ways to identify and activate it:
Define Your Why. Ask yourself and your team, “Why do we exist as a school? What’s the unique contribution we make to our students’ lives?” Write it down, and let it guide your actions.
Involve Every Stakeholder. Your mission shouldn’t speak to the goals of the leadership alone; it needs to energize your entire community—teachers, students, parents, and beyond. Bring them into the conversation and make it a shared commitment by allowing them to help create it.
Live It Daily. A mission isn’t a slogan; it’s a way of being. Let it shape your policies, your classroom practices, and even your celebrations. Let your students feel it in the way they’re supported and challenged every day.
The mission of a school should be more than a guiding principle—it should be its source of power, its foundation for transformational education. When it becomes embraced by all stakeholders, you create a school that doesn’t just teach students—it inspires them, connects them, and changes their lives.
Comments