The Law of The Lid: How Leadership Defines a School's Success
- Thomas Riddle
- Apr 8
- 3 min read
Part 2 in our Ongoing School Leadership Series
The Law of the Lid: How Leadership Defines a School’s Success
If you’ve ever wondered why some schools thrive while others struggle, the answer often comes down to leadership. John Maxwell’s Law of the Lid states that an organization’s success is directly tied to the leadership capacity of those in charge. In education, this means that the effectiveness of a school is determined by the leadership abilities of its principal, administrators, and teacher leaders.
Simply put: A school can only grow as much as its leadership allows it to.
What is the Law of the Lid?
Maxwell explains that every leader has a personal "lid"—a limit to their effectiveness. If a principal or administrator operates at a leadership level of 6 out of 10, their school will struggle to grow beyond that. No matter how talented the teachers are, no matter how motivated the students might be, the school’s overall effectiveness will be capped by the leadership at the top.
Now, that may sound discouraging—but here’s the good news: Leadership is not fixed. It can grow.
How the Leadership Lid Affects a School
A school leader’s effectiveness impacts everything—from teacher morale and student engagement to school culture and academic performance. Consider these examples:
A Low-Lid Leader (Leadership Level 4-5)
Avoids innovation and sticks to the status quo.
Micromanages teachers instead of empowering them.
Reacts to problems rather than proactively solving them.
Struggles to gain buy-in from teachers and staff.
Creates a school culture of frustration and stagnation.
A High-Lid Leader (Leadership Level 8-10)
Encourages creativity and risk-taking in the classroom.
Develops teacher leaders and trusts them with responsibility.
Anticipates challenges and makes strategic decisions.
Inspires staff and students to embrace a shared vision.
Fosters a culture of growth, engagement, and success.
The difference between these two leaders is not talent or experience—it’s leadership development.
Raising Your Leadership Lid
The best educational leaders recognize that they are the lid on their school’s success, and they commit to raising that lid through intentional growth. Here’s how:
1. Become a Lifelong Learner
Great leaders never stop learning. Read books on leadership, attend professional development conferences, and seek out mentorship from other strong leaders. Investing in your own growth ensures you have more to give to your school.
2. Develop Other Leaders
A school can’t rely on just one strong leader. High-lid principals build leadership capacity by developing teacher leaders, instructional coaches, and department heads. When leadership is shared, the impact multiplies.
3. Foster a Culture of Trust
Schools thrive when leaders trust teachers to do what they do best. Micromanagement lowers morale and limits creativity. Instead, give teachers the autonomy and support they need to excel.
4. Embrace Change and Innovation
Low-lid leaders fear change. High-lid leaders embrace it. Whether it’s integrating new instructional strategies, redesigning school spaces, or adopting project-based learning, strong leaders push schools forward rather than holding them back.
5. Lead with Vision and Purpose
A school without vision feels directionless. Great leaders set a clear, inspiring vision for their school and ensure that every decision supports that vision. When teachers and students understand the “why” behind their work, motivation increases.
Closing Thoughts
The Law of the Lid is not a limitation—it’s an invitation. If you want your school to reach new heights, start by raising your own leadership capacity. As you grow, your teachers grow. As your teachers grow, your students grow. And when students grow, the impact of your leadership extends far beyond the walls of your school.
So, what’s your leadership lid? More importantly—what are you doing to raise it?
Reflection Questions for the Week
Answer the following questions to identify what might be holding you back from maximizing your leadership impact.
Think about a challenge in your school or role.
How is your leadership ability influencing the outcome?
Are there skills, knowledge, or habits you need to improve to overcome this challenge?
Consider a time when you felt frustrated as a leader.
Was the problem external, or was it a reflection of your leadership lid?
How did your mindset or approach affect the situation?
Think about a leader you admire.
What qualities do they have that allow them to operate at a higher level?
What is one thing you can do to model their leadership?
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