Helicoptered In: Jumping Into Leadership Mid-Year

Leadership doesn’t always begin on the runway. Sometimes, you’re helicoptered in — and the real work begins the moment you touch down.

Most leaders begin their new roles on July 1, following the rhythm of education. The school year ends, transitions happen, and summer bridges what was and what comes next. Yet some leadership journeys begin in the middle of the year, when classrooms are buzzing, relationships are established, and systems are already in motion.

I call that experience being helicoptered in. While it may sound like a challenge, I’ve come to believe it can be one of the best opportunities a leader ever gets.

A Simple, Powerful Question

The idea came back to me recently while speaking with a principal candidate. We’re hiring for a mid-year start, and she asked a simple but profound question:

“Coming in during the middle of the year, what would you see my priorities being?”

It’s a thoughtful question, and one that is important to reflect on.

Starting mid-year is different. It requires a different kind of leadership presence, one grounded in listening, humility, and stability. It’s not just about managing a school or department; it’s about entering a living system that’s already in motion and finding your way to contribute without disruption.

When you arrive mid-year, remember that the people you’re joining have already been through a lot. They’ve built routines, adjusted to changes, and developed a rhythm without you. Entering that space with empathy, not urgency, helps you earn trust and signal that you’re there to support, not to upend.

My First “Helicoptered In” Experience

I experienced this firsthand in my first principal position, starting just after mid-year as the second semester was getting underway. The school had gone through several principals in a short period of time, and many people had lost hope that things could change.

When I arrived, I did not yet grasp how deep some of the challenges were. Certain practices needed immediate attention—those not in students’ best interests, misaligned with policy, or inconsistent with Ed Code—but I moved carefully, knowing that trust had to come first.

As a reform-minded leader, my instinct was to move quickly. Entering mid-year, though, proved to be an advantage. It gave me space to listen before acting, to walk classrooms, meet with staff and families, and hear directly from students about their experiences and hopes for the school. There was resistance to change, even when everyone knew it was needed.

Using data, I worked to build a shared sense of urgency for improvement while deepening my understanding of the culture, the history, and the people who made the school what it was. That experience taught me that timing shapes leadership as much as strategy, and that patience early on creates the foundation for meaningful change later.

Why Leadership Mid-Year Can Be an Advantage

Starting mid-year can actually be an advantage, especially when a school or department is in transition. Coming in partway through the year lets you see how systems truly function, not just how people hope they will. The sense of urgency is already there, yet the expectation to have all the answers is not. That balance creates space for authentic leadership to observe, understand, and act when it matters most.

That perspective also brings freedom. When you’re not to blame, you’re free to see. A mid-year start frees you from responsibility for how things are going when you arrive, allowing you to approach the work with curiosity instead of defensiveness. When people sense that you are there to understand, not to judge, they begin to open up.

It becomes an ideal time to learn about your team, provide feedback, and set clear expectations. The rhythm of a school year that is already underway reveals far more about leadership, culture, and collaboration than any amount of summer planning ever could.

From Observation to Insight

The months that follow a mid-year start offer invaluable lessons in leadership, revealing how systems truly work, how teams collaborate, and how people respond to challenges.

Visibility matters, but so does restraint. Be present in classrooms, on playgrounds, and in offices not to evaluate but to connect. Your presence communicates care, and your questions communicate curiosity. What you learn during this time becomes the foundation for the plan you will build for the following year.

Starting in July often means planning in the abstract, trying to learn names, culture, and systems while the first day of school approaches. Starting mid-year allows you to live in the system before you lead it. By summer, your understanding is deeper, your insights clearer, and your relationships stronger.

Your Mid-Year Priorities

Whether you are a new principal or district leader stepping into a role mid-year, your priorities look a little different. Focus on stability, listening, relationships, alignment, and planning.

1. Stabilize.

Before you lead change, bring calm. Keep what works and create consistency where things feel uncertain. Even in challenging situations, recognize and build upon what is good to affirm people’s efforts and restore confidence.

2. Listen and Learn.

Ask questions to understand, not to impress. Let people share what they value, what frustrates them, and what they hope will improve. Listening communicates respect for prior work and helps you see the reasons behind decisions.

3. Build Relationships.

Trust comes before influence. Invest time in people, show gratitude, and be approachable. Leadership presence is not only about being seen but about being genuinely available.

4. Align and Affirm.

Identify the values, goals, and traditions worth preserving, and acknowledge them publicly to build credibility. Resist presenting new ideas as if they have never been considered. When you honor existing efforts, collaboration and buy-in come more naturally.

5. Plan with Purpose.

Use the remainder of the year as your leadership runway. Capture insights, note patterns, and design your plan for the following year based on what you have seen and heard, not what you assume.

On the Ground

Being helicoptered in can feel disorienting at first. You are landing in the middle of someone else’s story, yet it gives you a rare gift: time to understand before you act and distance from the conditions you inherit. You do not have to defend the past; you only have to help shape the future.

Leading with curiosity, steadiness, and respect builds the trust that bridges to lasting change. Starting mid-year is not a disadvantage. It is a leadership advantage that teaches patience, perspective, and understanding. When you embrace it fully, by the time your first full year begins, you will not just be the new leader. You will be their leader.

Dr. Ryan Smith, with more than 20 years of leadership experience in public education, is dedicated to ensuring every student receives an outstanding education and reaches their highest potential. Through his current service as Deputy Superintendent in the Bellflower Unified School District and previous experience as Superintendent of the Monrovia Unified School District, his commitment to putting students first has driven success and positive change across various schools and districts. Learn more about Dr. Smith at his website, on LinkedIn, or X.