Leadership Elements
| 1 | Collaborating [Co] | Collaboration takes place at various levels: students work collaboratively in teams, teachers collaborate on interdisciplinary projects and authorities , teachers, students and the community can collaborate towards educational goals or the school’s institutional mission statement . In most schools there will always be a diverse range of people in the team. It is very important that everybody feels part of the decision making and planning and is able to express their point of view. If people have a voice they are more empowered. Schools don’t always have enough time to dedicate to opportunities for collaboration and this is something I believe we need to give more time to. Requires an understanding of a complex relationships and demonstrates how best to treat people. How can western societies learn to work better together. Why is school a battle for teachers and students. Group work , listening to different members of a community , reaching out other communities is an interesting way to work as a network . I consider collaborating an essential element in a leader’s profile. Collaborative work is a must in crafting a leadership baseline Counting on the people who work hand in hand with the leader everyday to make significant learning and teaching experiences, trusting in their skills and their feedback to foster growth and to align with the ideology and idiosyncrasy developed by the leader help to move forward in a significant way |
| 2 | Future-making [Fm] | As our knowledge increases exponentially and there are resultant changes, we need to be able to think critically about the potential positive and negative impacts of change. Additionally, the unknown can sometimes be unsettling, and this requires a mind shift that allows us to be comfortable with the unknown. Uncertainty is not always easily embraced by teachers. Going back to the concept of vision as one of the components of leadership, seeing what others can’t see. in my view, Striving for more is the booster for imagination and creativity. It implies a great willingness for a dynamic designing and redesigning in the way we plan new ideas to engage our students in their learning process. Imagination is limitless as well as creation is. If we, as leaders acknowledge that there maybe risks to face, doing will always be worthwhile This is sometimes very hard for school leaders as we are often devoured by urgent matters that arise. Nevertheless, the big challenge is for school to move at a fast pace in order to embrace our world´s constant change; otherwise it becomes pointless and obsolete. |
| 3 | Self-mastery [S] | It begins with understanding the self. Or exploring the concept of self. This applies in all subjects with a push and pull effect. I consider self mastery is the core element, at least as a component of my leadership profile. I think it kind of compiles the other elements which are also features of leadership. Being able to design the school’s identity, having a clear vision of where and how to move on the benefit of the school, being accountable for the decisions taken, learning from mistakes, and being aware that actions speak louder than words. These characteristics help leaders to build their school’s DNA, to build a sense of identity for all the stakeholders involved in the enterprise and to build an authentic leading profile. To be able to lead effectively in schools, you have to have the ability to lead by example, irrelevant of the situation and this requires self mastery |
| 4 | Developing Other Leaders [Di] | In education it is very important to motivate and inspire your team to take positive action. Without a team that is motivated or inspired it is hard to accomplish much in this setting. Leaders in school have to place trust in others who need to feel both supported and accountable. This is very important for the ecosystem to function positively. Building leadership capacity in schools is important to have staff take responsibility for achieving success for students. It is necessary to upskill staff for leadership capabilities. Working in groups , reaching out people from different communities foster other leaders so that the institution is not organized as a pyramid but as an ” intelligent” organic organization that “leadership” flows and is shared according to tasks and challenges. |
| 5 | Resilience [Re] | Real change comes with innovation but very rarely is it successful the first time. We have to be able to not get disheartened, which is why resilience is so important, as without it we will not continue to explore opportunities The past couple of years and the pandemic have demanded a lot of resilience. Students and teachers have had to adapt to new ways of communicating, new tools, new assessment methods etc. In a changing world, resilience is a much needed skill, especially in education. The idea that in and outside the classrooms teachers could be faced with any situation and be able to think on their feet to solve an issue or adjust their teaching. |
| 6 | Aligning People [Ap] | Developing relationships amongst staff, students, parents and community is the key to establishing a positive school culture. Aligning people to work together towards a shared goal. Being able to align people means getting the best out of each team player thus creating the best possible team for your school. It is very common to find people who need to change roles within an organization and if that is not possible they feel they need to go elsewhere. But when that happens and a leader identifies and facilitates the change it is rewarding in so many ways. |
| 7 | Experimenting [Ei] | Having the confidence and want to try something new if 1) lesson or tactic is not working and 2) to make room for growth and open-mindedness. Teachers taking their first steps out of their comfort zone in order to find new or better ways to meet their students’ needs. |
| 8 | Imagining [Im] | Strong leaders have the ability to imagine and to dream big, and to push through barriers and boundaries. In a school setting, this requires having a championing vision and be able to inspire, influence and act towards imagining a better educational experience for all stakeholders. |
| 9 | Mature Judgement [Mj] | Mature judgement is essential for a school leader. Very often we need do the “right thing” and make decisions that imply frustrating some while benefitting others. Students, parents, teachers, staff, there are multiple perspectives we need to consider within school-life issues and school leader need to work in the best interest of all of them and for the greater good, which often is not seen in all decisions. |
| 10 | Catalyzing [Ca] | Intentionally bringing the outside world into the classroom to spark curiosity. Whether that be through global/ local news or even the natural world, educators facilitate student reaction and actions. Catalyzing leadership is necessary in school settings. Being able to ignite change, direct change and leave behind outgrown philosophies, spark energy. Again, though this energy does not need to be created from those in leadership positions, everyone involved in education settings can be creating catalyzing leadership opportunities. |
| 11 | Adaptive Learning [Al] | As education becomes more personalized, adaptive learning is a key element in the school context if it aims to provide effective, and customized learning paths to engage each student. Although most schools still need to access programs that can mine and provide data about each student’s learning process, I believe this is a key element for motivating and boosting enjoyment in the learning experience. Whilst the cliché of the term life-long learning is spoken about frequently it is very relevant to education. It is about adapting to new learning and different approaches. We should be curious and question if we are to bring the right kind of thinking to any new situation. We also need to be creating life-long learners and valuing the curiosity they are bringing to the classroom now! Change is inevitable – learning to lead change in schools successfully is important. |
| 12 | Emerging [Em] | I see an emerging leader as one who has the abilities and intelligences to inspire and influence without necessarily holding a leadership role. In a school context, an emerging leader creates energy and takes controlled risks, is innovative and involves others and leads by example, rather than leads by position. |
| 13 | Storytelling [St] | Storytelling helps provide context and meaning. It enhances connection and understanding. |
| 14 | Influencing [In] | Influencing is important in this setting in order to get the team moving in the same direction. |
| 15 | Patterning [Pa] | Recognizing patterns is a kind of meta cognition and self reflection. |