I typically enjoy a business best seller during my annual beach vacation, but this year I picked up The Autobiography of Henry VIII by Margaret George, and this piece of historical fiction captivated me just a few pages in. As I dove in to the book, I wondered, why do we remember Henry VIII far more than other English kings? Is it simply the notorious and sordid tales of his monarchy? Upon reflection, I actually think there are facets of his leadership from which admission professionals can learn.

1. Henry VIII built a great team. Realizing that he was relying too heavily on one advisor, Henry restructured his council in focused areas (political and religious) while engaging outside experts to serve as mentors and guides. He assembled groups with specialized skill sets and diverse voices, growing increasingly weary of people who only told him what he wanted to hear. Successful admission leaders also use their innate selection skills to assemble great teams for their schools—finding the right people who can represent the school’s mission/brand and who can offer a diversified skill set to cover the myriad areas of responsibility that are now part of the 21st century admission office.

2. Henry VIII was committed to learning. Henry was curious about the world and greedy to learn more. He spoke four languages and was an accomplished author and musician. His intellect, curiosity, and thirst for knowledge were noted by all—from his closest advisors, to the travel-weary ambassadors seeking his favor, to his greatest adversaries. Indeed, Henry founded what was to become one of the world’s greatest schools, Oxford University! The very best admission leaders are lifelong learners—ever watchful for shifting trends, and eager to acquire new knowledge and teach themselves new skills. These leaders attend many conferences and professional development workshops, read voraciously, and pursue additional responsibility in order to keep growing. They seek out mentors, while also becoming mentors for those new to the profession.

3. Henry VIII was a risk taker and change agent. Henry is largely credited with initiating the English Reformation and expanding royal power, while breaking with the Catholic Church. Though his personal interests drove these changes, Henry was astute in reading the politics of the time and asserting the need for transformation within his country. Like Henry, top independent school admission leaders take measured risks—whether going online with their admission process, embracing new assessment methods, or developing collaborative marketing techniques to advance their school’s message. They astutely read external trends and map those trends to their work in recruiting and retaining students for their school. They are unafraid to try new methods in an attempt to transform their challenges into opportunities.

4. Infamy aside, Henry VIII saw the value in investing in himself and his people and knew that the future of his royal legacy depended on it. Are you an admission leader who will leave a legacy? If so, professional development must be a constant for you and your team. As independent school leaders, we must work hard to build our own skills and competencies, and it begins with a commitment to learning and an expansive view of building talent on your team.