Developing and Facilitating Leadership in Others
Leadership Dimension #5
Introduction:
The administrator promotes the development of leadership capacity through the active involvement of staff, students, and parents/guardians in a variety of leadership roles for the overall benefit of the school community and education system.
Administrator Descriptors:
- demonstrates informed decision making through open dialogue and consideration of multiple perspectives
- promotes team building and shared leadership among staff, students, parents/guardians and school council members as active members of the learning community
- facilitates meaningful involvement of staff, students, parents/guardians and school council members in the operation of the school using collaborative and consultative decision-making strategies
The administrator promotes the development of leadership capacity through the active involvement of staff, students, and parents/guardians in a variety of leadership roles for the overall benefit of the school community and education system.
Administrator Descriptors:
- demonstrates informed decision making through open dialogue and consideration of multiple perspectives
- promotes team building and shared leadership among staff, students, parents/guardians and school council members as active members of the learning community
- facilitates meaningful involvement of staff, students, parents/guardians and school council members in the operation of the school using collaborative and consultative decision-making strategies
List and Identify Evidence/Artifacts:
There have been a variety of ways I have helped others in developing and facilitating their leadership capacity. One of the ways has been participating in the Principal by Design workshops with Dr. Margo Guillotte, Leslie Collings and other administrators throughout Rocky View Schools and the world. This has allowed me to add my insights and talk through problems and issues that many administrators face in the day to day work of transforming a school. I have very much enjoyed learning with others and hope to make further contributions as I develop as an administrator. I know I have valuable insights to give. My experiences may be of some help to others as they too develop and evolve as a school leader.
As well, I have participated in collaborating with the administrators from Cardston High School. We are working as a collaborative team talking about the issues we face that are common to our different schools. Again, their insights provide additional information and organizational strategies that may transfer to what we are trying to accomplish at SCHS.
One of the most significant ways in which I'm helping to develop leadership capacity in others is through our administration team. We collaborate regularly and each one of us brings our own set of skills, attitude and knowledge to the team. I am a better leader and person because I work with Leslie and Tracy. I hope they feel the same. We are a dynamic team. After a short time, we quickly bonded and now have the trust of each other. We are only dynamic though because we share a set of values and beliefs and are willing to work hard to achieve our goals. We are definitely better as a team than we are individually.
Another way I develop leadership capacity in others is with the Academic Leaders. In individual conversations with a variety of the Academic leaders I have modeled best practice. In working collaboratively with them in the implementation of Policy HK and in developing the timetable and scheduling, I am giving them the responsibility and power to make positive changes in their departments.
Also, I have developed leadership capacity in others by working with individual teachers and support staff by offering help with organizing and leading school events like the Exhibition of Learning, Awards Celebration, Convocation, Grade 12 Advisory, or the Remembrance Day ceremony. By offering support and guidance, but not actually doing the job, gives others the sense that I trust their capabilities. This trust gives people confidence in their own abilities and empowers them to take on further leadership roles.
As well, I have participated in collaborating with the administrators from Cardston High School. We are working as a collaborative team talking about the issues we face that are common to our different schools. Again, their insights provide additional information and organizational strategies that may transfer to what we are trying to accomplish at SCHS.
One of the most significant ways in which I'm helping to develop leadership capacity in others is through our administration team. We collaborate regularly and each one of us brings our own set of skills, attitude and knowledge to the team. I am a better leader and person because I work with Leslie and Tracy. I hope they feel the same. We are a dynamic team. After a short time, we quickly bonded and now have the trust of each other. We are only dynamic though because we share a set of values and beliefs and are willing to work hard to achieve our goals. We are definitely better as a team than we are individually.
Another way I develop leadership capacity in others is with the Academic Leaders. In individual conversations with a variety of the Academic leaders I have modeled best practice. In working collaboratively with them in the implementation of Policy HK and in developing the timetable and scheduling, I am giving them the responsibility and power to make positive changes in their departments.
Also, I have developed leadership capacity in others by working with individual teachers and support staff by offering help with organizing and leading school events like the Exhibition of Learning, Awards Celebration, Convocation, Grade 12 Advisory, or the Remembrance Day ceremony. By offering support and guidance, but not actually doing the job, gives others the sense that I trust their capabilities. This trust gives people confidence in their own abilities and empowers them to take on further leadership roles.
Reflection:
This is one area in which I would like to improve. I have, for a very long time, been a lone wolf, doing my own thing in my own classroom. Much of what I did was innovative and creative because I always had the best of intentions for student learning. I wanted my classes to be challenging and engaging and for the most part, I succeeded and continue to do so. However, as a new administrator in the school, I can no longer hide. This is a challenge for me as an individual. Certainly completing my Masters and then a PhD helped to give me confidence in what I had to say was of value, but there is still a part of me (and on some days, a really large part) that wants to hide again and just do my own thing. As I take on this new challenge as an administrator, I can't let these feelings overwhelm me. I do want to be of service to the students, staff, parents and the community. I do believe that all can learn and that certainly includes me! The more that I can trust in others, the more that I believe in others' capacity for growth and leadership, the more this may become easier.
Areas of Growth/Areas of Excellence:
This is an area of growth for me, to be sure! Through experience, I should be able to gain the confidence to put myself out there! I think I do a pretty good job at supporting others in developing their leadership capacity but I think that could be just so much more! I just have to try and get out from behind myself!! If I can focus on the idea of service to others this may be manageable!
