Attributes of a Nimble Leader in Changing Times

This report reviews the key attributes and skills of nimble leadership, as well as the role of nimble leadership in educational settings and school culture.

School and district leaders confront increasing challenges to achieving their missions and must operate within ever-shifting economic, political, and social landscapes. As such, leaders must be nimble and demonstrate a willingness and flexibility to address challenges and lead through change. Nimble leadership allows district staff to navigate volatility and uncertainty that impact all areas of the school environment, from staffing to school safety to political dynamics.

To support AASA's mission of developing school leader capacity and building support for mental health, AASA, the School Superintendents Association, has partnered with Hanover Research to prepare a series of reports on resonant, resilient, and nimble leadership for district and school leaders. The first report in this series discussed the role of resilience in leadership and culture. This report, the second in the series, discusses the key attributes and skills of nimble leadership, as well as the role of nimble leadership in educational settings and school culture. Synthesizing empirical literature on nimble leadership and related leadership concepts in education and associated industries, this report includes the following sections:

• Section I: Attributes of a Nimble Leader reviews nimble leadership and examines three critical attributes of nimble leaders, including agility, communication, and collaboration.
• Section II: Nimble Leadership in Educational Settings discusses the role of nimble leadership in education as well as the relationship between nimble leadership and school culture.

The third report in this series discusses the key competencies of resonant leadership and the importance of resonant leadership for superintendent wellbeing and school culture.