October 16, 2026

Principals: You Set the Weather, You Make the Climate

October is National Principals Month, a time each year to recognize principals' important role and contributions. Thank-you tokens are appreciated, but it is also important to reflect on the impact principals have on the schools they lead. Great schools cannot be sustained without the leadership of a great principal.

The fact is that the principal’s words, actions, choices, and decisions matter—a lot. The daily lives of people in schools are shaped by the messages, actions, and expectations of those in this important leadership position. We might even compare a principal’s influence to creating the weather. Every interaction, comment, and reaction is mined for meaning and implication, and as we do with the weather, people respond to the professional environment in which they find themselves.

No doubt, people notice and respond to the “weather” principals create.

Principals’ influence can also create chain reactions—for good or bad. An offhand comment, an unfounded assumption, or a baseless criticism can derail not only one person’s day but also affect those with whom they work and share the experience. Soon, a small disturbance can become a full-fledged storm.  On the flip side, an encouraging word or compliment can calm the weather and change the trajectory of the gloomiest days.

The impact of principal leadership extends to what happens to and within the organization, including events and circumstances principals may not have initiated and over which they have limited control. How they respond signals much about the “weather” people will experience, and that response can signal a sun-drenched day, a brief rain shower, or a full-fledged torrential downpour.  

Let’s explore some other ways in which the behavior and choices of principals can shape the figurative weather others may experience: 

Principals create sunshine when they greet people warmly, show interest in them and their work, offer appreciation, and notice positive outcomes. We see the impact when teachers greet their students individually each day and offer positive, specific praise. The impact of the principal’s greetings, encouragement, and recognition can be even greater and more widespread.

Principals create warm breezes when they encourage, support, and compliment people when they face challenges and overcome barriers. Education can sometimes feel thankless; a note or comment of affirmation and acknowledgment can go a long way toward creating fresh air and an optimistic outlook.

Principals regulate the temperature when they offer understanding and support as conflicts erupt, pressure grows, and emotions build. Stepping in to assist in a difficult conversation, offering to make a tough decision, or creating space for everyone to reflect and reset can be exactly what is needed when the temperature rises and tempers flare.

Principals can also chase away clouds by reinforcing purpose and meaning, dispelling doubt, and clearing up confusion. When principals are present before, during, and after school to provide boots-on-the-ground support, they send an important message about priorities, support, and camaraderie.

It is also worth remembering that the weather principals create each day becomes the climate people experience over time. People anticipate and react based on what they have experienced. The more consistency, confidence, and competence principals build and project, the more stable the weather teachers and staff experience.

Of course, much of what principals do happens away from the eyes of those who depend on their leadership. Yet, the difference it makes is no less important than the public and recognized work they do to shape, lead, and protect the organizations and people they lead.

Please accept and join in our appreciation and admiration for the important and impactful work principals do to help everyone do their best work, protect their hopes, and serve their needs.