What’s your New Year’s resolution as a governor? To pay better attention to your duties? Perhaps to spend less time on them? The answer may be to work “smarter”, seeking out the wood from the trees of governance.

But before you get embroiled again in budget-setting or target-setting or admissions, take a moment to remember that governance is actually about leadership.

Why not make a resolution to play your part in ensuring that your governing body positively and constructively guides the direction of the school? Think about what you do as a governor to demonstrate leadership and how you might be even better this year.

The Office for Standards in Education’s Lessons Learned report, on the contribution of the governing body at schools in special measures, has a good checklist of qualities for successful leadership:

* Vision - a prerequisite for an effective leader is a clear sense of where you want to get to - and what it will look like when you get there. Why not suggest a “visioning” session at a future meeting led by the headteacher?

* Analytical insight - are you realistic about the strengths and weaknesses of the school? Has the governing body got a grasp of the current problems and priorities for improvement that make sense?

* Good communication skills - particularly important for the chair but equally critical for all governors who want to get strong and positive messages across to staff, pupils, parents, the local community and the local education authority about what the school stands for and where you are heading. Celebrating success as and when it comes helps build confidence, and confidence leads to more success.

* Energy - hopefully governors always bring fresh ideas and positive support, particularly at times of conflict and stress. Don’t underestimate the energy created by a different perspective.

* Decisive action - committees that stifle initiative and imagination are not leading the way. Make sure you carry out governor business effectively and efficiently. Concentrate your efforts on the key decisions and leave details to the head and management team. Good leaders empower others with their bold decision-making.

* Toughness - if your vision is right have the confidence to follow it through even when things get difficult. Leadership means having the commitment and determination to see things through and make difficult decisions when needed.

* The ability to challenge people - perhaps the most important quality for governors. As a critical friend, a governor needs to ask searching and constructive questions in a spirit of mutual trust and respect.

* Enthusiasm - the quality that probably brought you onto the governing body in the first place. Effective leadership means continuing to care about what you do and demonstrating that passion to others. Don’t leave your enthusiasm behind in meetings - it is a priceless commodity! And have a happy new year!

“Lessons Learned from Special Measures” see www.ofsted.gov.ukpublicdocs00lessons.pdf