You're a new educational leader. How can you develop your skills to lead your team?

It's important to have a clear picture of what you want to see in your own classroom, before you attempt to lead others in creating that picture - or vision - for themselves. Great visions are created by reading, observing and visiting as many great practitioners as possible, synthesising that, and seeing what you want to develop from there. It does NOT come from working alone, staring at a screen and hoping to create something that sounds good. Most systems have a rubric for middle leaders' or senior leaders' competencies. Use it find the areas you're strong in, and then spend some time reflecting on what you're doing to feel you're successful in them. Focus on your strengths, first of all, rather than any perceived weaknesses.

- Identify your strengths and areas for improvement as a leader, and seek feedback from your team and other stakeholders. - Set clear and realistic goals for yourself and your team, and communicate them effectively and transparently. - Engage in continuous learning and professional development, and seek opportunities to learn from other leaders and experts in your field. - Foster a culture of collaboration, trust, and innovation within your team, and empower your team members to take ownership and initiative. - Celebrate the achievements and successes of your team, and provide constructive and supportive feedback for improvement.

This is key for every educational leader - you must commit to radical humility. Your vision for your school to self-reflect and improve begins with you. No school outgrows its leader.

To enhance yourself as a young leader, start by evaluating your strengths and areas that need improvement. Capitalize on what you're good at and work on developing skills in areas where you can grow. Continuous self-assessment and a commitment to learning contribute to effective leadership development. Additionally, focus on improving communication skills. Clear and effective communication is crucial for leadership. Practice active listening, articulate your ideas clearly, and seek feedback to refine your communication style. Strengthening these aspects will enhance your overall effectiveness as a young leader.

Consider integrating diverse methods to gain a more comprehensive understanding of your leadership style. This might include seeking direct feedback from peers, mentors, and even students, as their perspectives can provide unique insights into your leadership effectiveness. Additionally, engaging in reflective practices like journaling or professional coaching can help you explore deeper aspects of your leadership, such as emotional intelligence and resilience. Combining these approaches with goal-setting and continuous learning, particularly in areas like conflict resolution and team dynamics, can significantly enhance your ability to lead and inspire your educational team.

In education it can be incredibly helpful to have a mentor from outside the education world. Whereas in industry this might be perceived as coaching, in education there are two key reasons to seek expertise from beyond our world. 1. Many of the lessons learned by someone in the world of business, engineering, complex projects, media, fashion or film for example will transfer to your work, with a little discussion. 2. Education is about the world, not about school. Mentors from beyond your day-to-day will expose you to ways of thinking not commonly held in our speciality.

Have a senior mentor and a reverse mentor too. Both offer newer leaders confidence and skills-building as well as valuable feedback and feedforward! 1) A senior mentor, a senior leader who you can trust to guide and advise you to solution-find in-role challenges. 2) A reverse mentor is someone in your team who gives you feedback who trust you enough as a leader to give you unfiltered & constructive feedback on how your leadership is being received by those you line manage. The two perspectives will upskill you, help you to feel supported and will keep you humble and curious!

Mentoring and Coaching: Be a mentor to your team members. Provide them with opportunities for professional development and growth. Encourage them to set personal goals and support them in achieving these goals. Technology Integration: With the increasing role of technology in education, being proficient in using educational technology and integrating it into your leadership practices can enhance learning

Establishing a network of support is critical. This should include more experienced colleagues who serve in a similar role, those who are in more senior positions but also served in your role, as well as those who helped you along the path that got you your position in the first place. It's so important to stay connected to your network, because they will help you grow, give you honest feedback when you need it, and, most importantly, be there for your when times are tough.

I would argue you are not ready for a leadership role if you do not know how to lead… definitely need leadership development training ASAP that targets development of those skill sets!

To maximize the benefits of Professional Learning Communities (PLCs), consider adopting a blended approach that combines traditional collaboration with innovative, tech-driven methods. Instead of solely participating in scheduled meetings or discussions, integrate digital platforms and social media to create a continuous, dynamic learning environment.Also introduce a rotational leadership model within the PLC, where each member takes turns leading discussions or presenting on new topics. This approach not only diversifies the learning experience but also empowers each member by valuing their unique insights and expertise.

Join educational leadership forums, online groups, or social media communities. Use sentiment analysis tools to understand the prevailing opinions and trends within these communities.

PLCs are the best way to take learning forward. Whether you're establishing a new school or looking to upgrade your current one, customised programs help transform your school's culture, promote lifelong learning, and are far more effective. When teachers take charge of their learning, you will see a phenomenal difference in students' learning outcomes. PLCs help construct knowledge and develop strategies to overcome challenges and improve educator practice.

Developing leadership skills involves a continuous process of self-improvement. Engage in relevant professional development opportunities, seek mentorship, and actively solicit feedback. Enhance your communication and interpersonal skills to foster a positive team environment. Stay informed about industry trends, encourage creativity, and delegate effectively. Leading by example and adapting your leadership style to suit different situations contribute to the growth and cohesion of your team.

Leadership Training: Consider enrolling in leadership development programs specifically designed for educational leaders. These programs often cover strategic planning, change management, and leadership ethics. Continuous Learning: Stay informed about the latest trends and developments in education. This could include new teaching methods, technology integration, policy changes, and educational research. Subscribing to relevant journals, attending webinars, and participating in conferences can be beneficial.

This doesn't always have to end in a certificate. The best leaders I know are always listening, reading, or searching the web for some piece of knowledge. Seek certifications and formal education as much as possible, but don't down play the need to "seek" knowledge in everything you can. Prevent the tunnel vision of something is only worth pursuing if it comes with something for your profile at the end of the course. One of the greatest things I've done for myself is one business book a month, it has allowed me to apply so many different principles into my work.

Uma forma de desenvolver habilidades de lideran?a educacional é a partir da educa??o formal e certifica??es em forma de cursos, programas ou forma??es que sejam reconhecidos e alinhados com as diretrizes e competências da educa??o e gest?o escolar. Existem diversas op??es de cursos online ou presenciais, gratuitos ou pagos, que podem oferecer conteúdos teóricos e práticos sobre gest?o educacional, lideran?a, inova??o, avalia??o, currículo, além de construir um bom networking

Pursuing formal education, such as leadership programs or advanced degrees in education management, can provide a structured foundation for honing leadership skills. These programs often cover theoretical frameworks, practical strategies, and case studies, offering a comprehensive understanding of educational leadership. Additionally, networking with fellow students and educators can broaden perspectives and create valuable connections in the education field. Integrating formal education with hands-on experience and reflective practices can significantly enhance your ability to lead effectively.

I have found that whilst I have generated ideas, that it is useful to gain some form of professional training before looking to implement such ideas. For me, I work with digital content creation both in a marketing role but also in an academic role in medical education. Whilst I felt that I had understood the subject matter, I recognised the need for knowledge development on the digital aspects. To address this I use microcredentials. This is because I feel that it is often a more individualised approach to learning. Rather than undertaking more general training - much of which may not be applicable - one can target specific learning needs by participating in targeted course. This presents the ability to mould one's own learning & save time

My perspective on this involves curating your own learning pathway by integrating courses and materials from diverse fields beyond conventional educational leadership. For instance, you could explore subjects like behavioral psychology, technology, design thinking, or even subjects that align with your personal interests, like art or history. The idea is to build a more holistic skill set that enables innovative problem-solving and a broader understanding of the diverse needs in an educational environment. Platforms like MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) offer a wealth of knowledge in various domains at little to no cost.

Adopting a "whole community" approach to self-care and wellness can offer a fresh perspective on this crucial aspect of educational leadership. By fostering a culture where everyone takes collective responsibility for each other's well-being, you not only enhance your own resilience and job satisfaction but also contribute to a more positive, healthy, and supportive educational environment. This collective approach to wellness underscores the idea that taking care of each other is just as important as taking care of oneself in the demanding field of educational leadership.

Build relationships with your team and get to know what they really want ??, what makes them tick ??, what is their motivation ???? I also think having a network ??? of professionals that you can talk to is essential. Note I said professionals and not leaders etc. as having a range of opinions is important. Personally I have a small group of friends and we regularly meet up and chat about life and work and so on, and it definitely helps ???? Also, it is so important to stay ahead ??, and for this I usually chat regularly to a small circle ?? of people and we bounce ideas ?? of each other to see how we can innovate and progress ????

As a leader, you should spend appropriate time building relationships with your team members. Every relationship needs time, be it personal or professional. Get to know your team's strengths, areas for growth, and professional aspirations. And remember that leadership is based on trust, respect, and open communication.

1. Understanding the culture of your institution is the best place to start. As an educational leader, you would want to promote a culture of professional development and self-initiated reflection and learning. Strategise the ambitious and practical goals accordingly. 2. Get small wins early on while keeping the large goals in foresight and take strategic steps towards it. 3. Build your team from within, nurture the potential of individuals who can support the institution’s growth. Provide ample and diverse PD opportunities to everyone in the team for their holistic growth.

Few Inputs to develop your skills: a. Focus on effective communication skills & empathy. b. Work on your active listening skills, you need to have patience to make and train your teams. c. Stay updated with latest trends and best practices in the educational world as knowledge and common sense are important factors to lead a team. d. Get connected with your team, you shall have the pulse of your team. d. Most importantly, be connected to the ground, the actual scenario in your institution and don't talk superficial.The team will admire such leaders and be mindful when they are exercising their respective duties.In fact, this one is the most important disconnect which is worrisome and need to be acknowledged by respective leaders.

Once you are clear on the vision and mission of the organization you are associated with as a new leader, make efforts to communicate your thoughts clearly to the team members. It is crucial to develop inner values. You have to create an environment that is dynamic as well as ready to take on challenges. As 'change' is the only constant, you will have to make efforts to let people adapt and align to the policies and framework, which will enable them to meet the goals. Always create an atmosphere of trust, delegate tasks, and let them take complete ownership of their execution. Mistakes will be a part of the journey; don't have post-mortem sessions with your teammates; rather, focus on improving and avoiding similar mistakes in the future.