There’s a trend going around on social media: ‘I wish xx knew xx…’ and it got me thinking.
What do I wish you knew?
Right now, we’re at peak bonkersness – halfway through the academic year, spreadsheets are multiplying like rabbits and your office door is on constant rotation.
And actually, I know you already know everything I’m about to say 😬
But sometimes, when the noise gets too loud, when the workload piles up and when you start to wonder if it’s just you who feels like this… you need to hear it anyway.
⭐️ So here’s your reminder.
It started as a simple list.
And then, because I don’t know when to stop, it turned into a manifesto of sorts…
A motivational woop 💫
A reality check wrapped in encouragement 🤗
Because if you need something to pin to your wall, tuck in your diary or mutter under your breath in budget meetings, let it be this:
1️⃣ You don’t need permission to lead. You already have all the knowledge, experience and skills you need – so don’t wait for permission to use them. Take up space. Own your expertise!
2️⃣ You bring something unique to the leadership table. The way you see problems, analyse solutions and manage risk is different from other leaders – and that’s a strength, not something to downplay. Your uniqueness is your superpower 💫
3️⃣ Your work has impact beyond the balance sheet. Just because you’re not in the classroom doesn’t mean you don’t impact learning. Your decisions shape staff wellbeing, student experiences and the future of your school. Everything you do matters.
4️⃣ You’re not failing just because it feels hard. Budget pressures, leadership tensions and operational headaches don’t mean you’re doing a bad job – they mean you’re doing a real one. If it was easy, they wouldn’t need you!
5️⃣ You don’t have to know everything. Great leadership isn’t about having all the answers, it’s about knowing the right questions to ask and involving the right people.
6️⃣ Just because you can do it all, doesn’t mean you should. Working yourself to the limit won’t make your role more valuable but setting boundaries will make it more sustainable.
7️⃣ You’re not ‘just’ anything. You’re not ‘just the money person’ or ‘just operations’. You’re a strategist, a negotiator, a leader and a force to be reckoned with.
8️⃣ You don’t have to put up with 💩 If someone consistently undermines you, dismisses your role or makes your job harder, you’re allowed to call it out. Respect is not optional, it’s a requirement.
9️⃣ You are not alone. Other SBLs get it. The challenges, the wins, the frustrations, the invisible work – there’s a whole community who understands. Lean on them. Let them lean on you.
🔟 Your role is bigger than the school you’re in right now. The skills you have – financial management, strategic thinking, negotiation, leadership – are transferable. If you ever feel stuck, remember: your experience is valuable in more places than you realise.
Print this out and put it in your diary. Save it as your desktop wallpaper. Send it to someone who needs to see it.
Just know that I see you ❤️
So keep going. Keep leading. And keep being you 🦸