The culture of a school is shaped, often quietly, by the behaviours of its leaders. Staff watch closely, absorb signals and take cues from the way leaders communicate, react and make decisions. Understanding the difference between toxic and healthy leadership traits helps create a workplace where people feel valued, supported and able to do their best work.

Toxic Leadership Traits

Toxic traits are rarely dramatic — they often appear in small, consistent behaviours that erode trust. Examples include:

• Micromanaging: checking every detail, not trusting staff to use their professional judgement.
• Poor emotional regulation: reacting with frustration, abruptness or inconsistency.
• Favouritism: giving opportunities or information selectively, creating divisions.
• Avoidance: ignoring difficult conversations or letting problems linger.
• Blame-shifting: pointing fingers when things go wrong instead of seeking solutions.

My favourite quote from super Coach Wayne Bennett is that “when a winner fails, he trains harder, while a loser blames others.”

Healthy Leadership Traits

Healthy leaders intentionally shape a positive climate through their everyday actions. Examples include:

• Empowering others: trusting staff, delegating meaningfully and celebrating their strengths.
• Owning mistakes: modelling accountability and using setbacks as learning opportunities.
• Calm, consistent communication: responding thoughtfully, even under pressure.
• Fairness and transparency: ensuring decisions are explained and processes are clear.
• Proactive problem-solving: addressing issues early with clarity and compassion.

When leaders consistently choose healthy behaviours, they build a culture where staff feel safe, respected and motivated — the foundation of a thriving school.