The hidden cost of school leadership: Defining the problem

“Heavy is the head that wears the crown Uneasy lies the head that bears the burden To whom much is given, much is required The weight of responsibility is not for the faint of heat With great power comes great accountability” We have heard and been told these age-old sayings during our leadership journey. These sayings sometimes remind us that being given the responsibility and title of leader is not an easy feat. Leadership requires sacrifice, resilience, and, more often, an unyielding commitment to the greater good. As leaders navigate the challenges of their roles, they often find themselves standing at the intersection of expectation and execution, balancing the demands of others with their vision for how they would like to lead. In part two of my series, “The hidden cost of school leadership,” I will define the problem. I am defining the problem based on my experience and the experience of leaders I have talked with about this hidden cost. The problem could also be defined as the role’s demands, which go far beyond the school walls. When the impact of the sacrifice on one’s personal freedom and emotional well-being becomes too much to bear, one leaves or is...