Assumptive Leadership: The Silent Killer of School Culture
By Dr. Tom Miller
When school leaders come to me feeling stuck—burned out, frustrated, or unsure why their team isn’t delivering—I often ask one question:
“Where might you be leading from assumption instead of intention?”
It’s a game-changer.
Because here’s the truth: assumptive leadership is everywhere, and it’s silently destroying school culture, team morale, and leadership effectiveness.
What is Assumptive Leadership?
It’s when we assume our staff knows what to do—because they were hired, because they have experience, or because we told them once.
We assume:
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They’re good at what we’re good at.
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They’re motivated by what motivates us.
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They see the school the way we see it.
But they don’t.
And when we lead from assumption, the fallout is real: misalignment, miscommunication, unmet expectations, and a culture of frustration.
I’ve Been There
When I was a principal, I’d spend hours reading articles and curating resources on school leadership and improvemen...
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