Chapter 2: Creating a Positive School Culture

Research throughout the years has shown that better organizational cultures lead to enhanced organizational outcomes. Thus, it is crucial for school leaders to determine how best to create a positive culture that will improve the outcomes of their organizations. Today, school leaders are under just as much pressure as leaders of other organizations to cultivate a culture that benefits everyone. For most organizations, a dysfunctional culture can lead to a loss of productivity and have an impact on the company’s bottom line—profits. A company’s obligation to its shareholders is crucial, but the work of educational leaders can have a far more lasting impact on our society. After all, it was Dr. Benjamin Franklin who stated that, “An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.” The culture of a school can have a major impact on students’ overall development. And research has shown that it is the school principal (i.e., leader of the school) that has the most meaningful influence in shaping the school’s culture (McCray et al., 2006).