The document outlines the administrative philosophy of William Allan Kritsonis. It discusses seven key beliefs: [1] teaching with integrity, [2] collaborating, [3] developing individuals, [4] communicating, [5] empowering others, [6] passion, and [7] living a life well lived with dedication to one's profession. The administrative philosophy emphasizes integrity, collaboration, communication, empowering colleagues, and passion in leading people.

1. Administrative Philosophy
William Allan Kritsonis, PhD
Professor
PhD Program in Educational Leadership
Hall of Honor (2008)
William H. Parker Leadership Academy
The Whitlowe R. Green College of Education
Prairie View A&M University
Member of the Texas A&M University System
Visiting Lecturer (2005)
Oxford Round Table
University of Oxford, Oxford, England
Distinguished Alumnus (2004)
College of Education and Professional Studies
Central Washington University
Introduction
“Do something wonderful, people may imitate it.”
-Albert Schweitzer (1875 – 1965)
My administrative philosophy emphasizes the importance of integrity, collaborating,
communicating, empowering others, and the importance of passion in leading people. I strive to
help colleagues accept ownership and responsibility for their work. Colleagues must see a leader
of integrity, who exhibits self-awareness and appreciates the importance of collaboration and
communication. I have developed belief statements that reflect my administrative philosophy.
Number One: I believe in teaching with integrity.
I believe that all stakeholders should trust and believe that their leaders will make
decisions in the best interest of learners. People should know that the leader stands by what they
say and can be counted on to deliver. I believe integrity builds trust, a must for a successful
leader. The leader displays integrity, develops credibility, and by doing so builds a solid
reputation.
Number Two: I believe in collaborating.
Vince Lombardi once said, “Individual commitment to a group effort – that is what
makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work.” I believe a leader is
guided by a vision that drives the mission, goals, and objectives of an organization. I believe that

2. by working together, the vision for all aspects of schooling will be accomplished. I believe a
leader’s primary responsibility is to collaboratively work with individuals, listen to them and
learn from them. I believe a collaborative administrator exhibits high self esteem and is
continuously seeking new ideas from others and enjoys giving credit where credit is due.
Number Three: I believe in developing individuals.
I believe a leader helps to cultivate those within the institution by building trust and
improving teamwork through collaboration and personal involvement. I believe the leader
makes decisions by developing a sense of community and maintaining a commitment to the
growth of individuals. Caring for people, encouraging them, and valuing their opinions
contribute to teaching and organizational goals being realized. According to John Maxwell,
“People do not care how much you know until they know how much you care.”
Number Four: I believe in communicating.
I believe a leader must have strong communication skills. Communication can be defined
as transforming an idea from one brain to another. Effective communication requires articulation
of ideas and active listening. Mac Anderson, founder of Successories, says “The great leader
truly understands that effective communication is the key that unlocks the door to trust.” I
believe that leaders can exhibit leadership by developing trust in working with colleagues and
student through building upon relationships within the organization.
Number Five: I believe in empowering others.
Theodore Roosevelt best described the concept of empowerment as follows: “The best
executive is one who has sense enough to pick good people to do what he wants done, and self-
restraint enough to keep from meddling with them while they do it.” I believe that a leader
develops individuals through empowerment which in turn makes the schooling enterprise
stronger. A leader must trust colleagues with the creativity and intellect to carry out the assigned
tasks. Through empowerment, colleagues grow both professionally and personally, that is
critical for life long learning.
Number Six: I believe in passion.
A leader must be passionate about teaching. Passion, like a smile, is contagious. I believe
leaders must articulate visions, goals, and strategies. I believe administrators influence the
enthusiasm of colleagues under their charge. I believe a leader must exhibit passion for the
pursuit of excellence. Zig Ziglar says, “Go as far as you can go. When you get there, you can
always see farther.”
“You get the best efforts from others not be lighting a fire beneath them,
but by building a fire within”.
-Ben Nelson

3. .
Number Seven: The Keys to a Life Well Lived
Finally, I believe a leader takes care of those they love and letting them know they are
loved. This involves determination, self-discipline, and active attention to developing and
refining a conscience to whose promptings you can respond. I believe the leader honors the
profession. I believe the leader is dedicated to his calling by trying to do honorable work. I
believe the leader is willing to master the ethics of the profession. I believe the leader must show
enthusiasm and enjoy life. “Enjoy life, it’s ungrateful not to,” said Ronald Reagan.
Source: The Wall Street Journal, Saturday/Sunday, June 21 – 22, 2008, A9. Peggy Noonan – A
Life’s Lesson.
References
Anderson, M. (2005). The essence of leadership. Naperville, IL: Simple Truths.
Anderson, M. (2007). You can't send a duck to eagle school: And other simple truths of
leadership. Naperville, IL: Simple Truths.
Anderson, M., & Feltenstein, T. (2007). Change is good...you go first: 21 ways to inspire
change. Naperville, IL: Simple Truths.
Anderson, P. (2007). Great quotes from great leaders. Naperville, IL: Simple Truths.
The Wall Street Journal, Saturday/Sunday, June 21 – 22, 2008, A9. Peggy Noonan – A Life’s
Lesson.