b) Don't be moved by unfair criticism

Just as you weigh the extravagant praise that will inevitably come to you, you will need to weigh the unfair criticisms that will also come to you. You are now in a position where you are a public figure and therefore a target for criticism. You will be the object of accusations and complaints, sometimes face to face, sometimes by email copied to the world, sometimes in community blogs that can gather a life of their own, sometimes in the local newspaper or even in your school newspaper.

Complaints launched against you may have no basis in fact. They may make incorrect assumptions about your intent or your actions. They may be based loosely on some facts but leave out important components so that you look foolish or malicious. And in this age of instant communications, anyone can say anything. Responding to the blogosphere will likely only serve to keep the dirt alive. Ah yes, it will be frustrating. And it will be unfair. But for the most part, these things will be small irritants in the background and they will die of their own fiction if you provide no response, no ammunition, no excitement.

Here is your balance: People who know you will know that such accusations have to be false. If you have worked to know your staff and students, your defense if necessary will be mounted by them. Your job will be just to stay the course, keep modeling your values, communicate well. And grow a tough skin. As the principal (and a public figure), you do not have the luxury of complaining about unfair criticism, of getting defensive, or of whining or crying about it. People have the right to express their own opinions, misinformed though they may be. Keep your head up. Stay the course.