As a principal, you might feel that your leadership skills are limited by the scope and challenges of your school. However, there are many opportunities to grow and develop as a leader outside of the school setting. In this article, we will explore some of the ways you can gain leadership experience that will benefit your career and your school community.
One of the best ways to learn from other leaders is to join a professional network of principals or educators. You can find local, national, or international associations that offer resources, events, and mentoring programs. By participating in a professional network, you can exchange ideas, insights, and best practices with your peers. You can also build relationships and collaborations that can support your school goals and initiatives.
Professional networks can be powerful ways to get out of the echo chamber of your organizations. Learning about how different leaders try to solve the same problems that you face will add to your toolbox and enhance your creativity.
Learning does not happen in schools only. My advice is the following: - Find a Mentor "A real mentor" who can give you constructive feedback and not a passive one! - Learn by applying the new concepts and reflecting on the outcomes to improve. - Look for others with the same context and network to know how they are trying to improve their leadership competencies.
I would offer that you can join other networks, so as to learn other forms of leadership skills outside of the educational setting, but can be utilized for your specific organization.
Another way to expand your leadership skills is to volunteer for a cause that you are passionate about. You can choose a nonprofit organization, a community group, or a social movement that aligns with your values and interests. By volunteering, you can demonstrate your commitment, initiative, and creativity. You can also develop new skills and competencies, such as fundraising, advocacy, or project management. Volunteering can also help you connect with diverse and influential people who can inspire and challenge you.
Leading in a work environment takes a lot of different skills. Leading in a not-for-profit where people give their time voluntarily can offer an additional dimension. This enables someone to develop their interpersonal, communication and motivation skills where there is no "do it or else" implicit (or explicit) threat to team members. Not only does it bring value to the organisation (if done well!), it is a great learning opportunity for any leader or manager to develop and hone their skills.
Leading in a volunteer effort- whether on a board or leading a committee- help to develop your ability to influence, particularly because there is little positional authority when everyone is a volunteer. In my experience, my nonprofit board work helped me to develop my communication, team leadership and influence skills like nothing else I've done.
If you want to deepen your knowledge and expertise as a leader, you can pursue further education in a relevant field. You can enroll in a certificate, diploma, or degree program that covers topics such as leadership theory, organizational development, or educational innovation. You can also take short courses, workshops, or webinars that focus on specific skills or issues. By pursuing further education, you can enhance your credentials, credibility, and confidence as a leader. You can also apply what you learn to improve your school performance and culture.
A creative way to showcase your leadership skills is to start a blog or podcast on a topic related to education or leadership. You can use this platform to share your opinions, insights, and experiences as a principal. You can also invite guests, interview experts, or feature stories from your school. By starting a blog or podcast, you can establish your authority, influence, and voice as a leader. You can also reach a wider audience and engage with feedback and comments.
A rewarding way to practice your leadership skills is to mentor a new principal who is starting their career or transitioning to a new school. You can offer your guidance, support, and advice to help them overcome challenges and achieve success. You can also share your resources, contacts, and strategies to help them grow and develop as a leader. By mentoring a new principal, you can demonstrate your generosity, wisdom, and empathy as a leader. You can also learn from their perspectives and experiences.
Volunteering for nonprofits, sports-coaching, tutoring, mentoring youth in fraternities/sororities...there are so many different opportunities for a principal to develop leadership capabilities outside of the school building.