The Anchor

Edleadership doesn’t always have to be complicated. Sometimes, the only thing a school or district needs is a little stability. The Anchor is just that—a reliable, consistent, and strong presence to be leaned on in good times and bad.

Even in the most turbulent of times, Anchors are calm, cool, and collected, reducing the collective stress level of every room they enter. The Anchor has a rare gift for perspective, understanding that the fires of today are never as bad as they seem. “We’ll get through it” is a common refrain in meetings with these edleaders.

Anchors aren’t always the best option for a quick fix, but there’s no one you’d rather have at the helm in the long term. They’re more likely than their peers to be fixtures in the community, making them fully invested in even the most minute details of their profession. What’s good for the school or district is also what’s good for the Anchor.

The Anchor’s deep-rooted connections with his or her people often result in strong, clearly defined cultures. Community partnerships, including apprenticeship programs, project-based learning opportunities, and collaboration with local business and government leaders are hallmarks of Anchor-led schools and districts.
 

What the kids see

The Anchor is an open-door kind of person, a benefit extended to staff, students, and families alike. Anchors are more likely than their peers to engage in prolonged conversations with little purpose other than to get to know the person on the other side of the table a little better. While Anchors may not always be quick to action, they will make students feel valued and listened-to, a useful trait for a wide range of personalities.
 

Potential pitfalls

Some people have a hard time coming to terms with the Anchor’s drama-averse personality—the inability of more fiery personality types to relate can lead them to mistakenly believe the Anchor is aloof, which couldn’t be further from the truth.

Because stability is such an important value to an Anchor, change does not always come easy. Anchors are much better maintainers than their peers, but they’re not quite as adept at building things from scratch. The most successful Anchors are surrounded by connected innovators and project managers who are fully capable of implementing change within the Anchor’s prebuilt framework.

Learn about the other types: