How leaders can use blogs

For years, I have followed numerous blogs covering topics from my profession, my hobbies, and my friends. I love the personality that comes across in many of them and how they keep me "in the know" about so many things and people.  I know that leaders can use blogs to communicate with their stakeholders (both within the school and outside of the school or district) and keep them up to date about school events and issues.  A professional blog invites the kind of transparency in leadership that can really transform a school and widens the number of connections a leader might have.  Leaders could use a blog as a newsletter or bulletin as well as a way to disseminate important information.  Blogs invite dialogue and can help a principal feel less isolated since it is an easy way to have meaningful discourse on topics with many people, making a leader more approachable and accessible.
In addition to a communication tool, a blog can serve as an online diary or journal containing the questions and reflections that a leader may have about his or her practice in education.  I think a school leader might find input in some surprising places from some surprising people this way.  It could be a very valuable networking tool.  With so many professional profiles online and so many people using e-portfolios, I think leaders in education should take advantage of these tools in technology to learn, make connections, and invite professional dialogue and growth while discussing important issues.