The Leadership Loop: A Key to Lasting School Improvement

In an era where school improvement hinges on effective leadership, traditional evaluation methods no longer suffice. Today’s school and district leaders must receive feedback that is holistic, actionable, and rooted in the realities of their daily work. That’s why 360 feedback is becoming an essential tool in education - offering a clear, evidence-based path toward leadership development and school transformation.

The Power of 360 Feedback in Education

360 feedback provides a comprehensive assessment by collecting input from supervisors, peers, direct reports, sometimes students, and the leader themselves. Unlike single-source evaluations, this method delivers a well-rounded perspective that reveals blind spots, highlights leadership strengths, and fosters continuous improvement (Van Velsor, Taylor, & Leslie, 1993). For educational leaders who operate in complex environments where communication, trust, and influence are critical, this feedback is invaluable.

Research has shown that school leadership is second only to classroom instruction in influencing student learning (Leithwood, Louis, Anderson, & Wahlstrom, 2004). As such, giving leaders the tools to reflect, grow, and lead with clarity is directly tied to school success.

How EdLeader360 and Principal360 Support School Improvement

Created specifically for school and district leaders, EdLeader360 and Principal360 leverage the Leadership Remedy 360 process to guide meaningful growth. Aligned with national educational leadership standards, these tools provide authentic, data-driven insights into leadership effectiveness — not just perceptions, but real indicators of practice and impact.

These platforms are tailored to:

✅ Pinpoint individual strengths and areas for growth

✅ Promote deep reflection and ownership of leadership practices

✅ Customize coaching and professional development to meet specific needs

✅ Offer feedback that reflects the current leadership reality

For district leaders, these tools also support system-wide improvement by aligning leadership development with accountability measures and strategic priorities.

A Blueprint for Continuous Growth

When used effectively, 360 feedback moves beyond evaluation — it becomes a strategic leadership development process. EdLeader360 and Principal360 help build that foundation by turning feedback into focused action, empowering leaders to grow in the ways that matter most for student achievement and school culture.

To learn more about how your school or district can implement a leadership development process that truly drives improvement, visit LeadershipRemedy.com or reach out directly at LeadershipRemedy@gmail.com to discuss your needs and outcomes.

References:

Leithwood, K., Louis, K. S., Anderson, S., & Wahlstrom, K. (2004). How leadership influences student learning. Wallace Foundation.

Van Velsor, E., Taylor, S., & Leslie, J. (1993). An examination of the relationships among self-perception accuracy, self-awareness, gender, and leader effectiveness. Human Resource Management, 32(2–3), 249–263.

About the author: Eddie Damian, Ed.D., is the Chief Consultant of Leadership Remedy and an International leadership Curriculum Developer, Trainer, and Speaker.  He is the creator of Principal360 and EdLeader360 Systems. His System has been used by educational leaders to transform organizations, even when the odds are not in the leaders' favor.  He is also the author of "A Principal's New Paradigm" and enjoys exercise, golf, gardening, reading, and writing.