BTS Spark

Hear from BTS Spark coach Lacee Jacobs, PCC, ORSCC, CDWF discuss coaching for ...yourself! Too often we abdicate supports to our teams and ignore ourselves. Hear more from Lacee at next week's Sparking Solutions in Educational Leadership on How to Retain Your Principals with Max Cooke Sean Slade https://lnkd.in/erc9RQgQ #educationalleadership #principalleadership

We are launching a new series focused on Solutions in Educational Leadership. Each episode targets a topic, hears from experts and provides solution steps from our professional coaches. Episode #1 is March 26 find out more and sign up via https://lnkd.in/e278aEBE #educationalleadership #wholeleader

Collaboration isn’t just for internal teams – it's the foundation of impactful leadership at every level.?In school leadership, we often focus on how school leaders build collaborative cultures within their schools. But, what about collaboration beyond their immediate teams? Engaging in broader networks, sharing ideas with peers, and seeking alternate perspectives can elevate a leader’s impact in powerful ways.? ? Consider the Leadership Partnership Spectrum. This framework helps leaders understand the dynamic balance between independence and collaboration. On one end, there’s self-reliance – an important skill for decision-making and resilience. On the other end, there’s collective wisdom – leveraging insights from others to strengthen outcomes. Neither side is better; it’s about knowing when to lean into each.? ? Small group coaching exemplifies the value of moving along this spectrum. In these spaces, school leaders can:? - Share challenges and solutions with peers who understand their unique contexts? - Explore perspectives to refine their decision-making? - Build lasting networks that extend beyond the group. For example, a school leader who operates from a self-reliant stance is used to thinking, “I’ll handle this on my own.” With group coaching, they move out of isolation and tap into collective wisdom, finding solutions they might not have considered alone. The result? Stronger leadership presence, enhanced problem-solving, and a deeper sense of connection. As leaders, understanding where we fall on the Leadership Partnership Spectrum helps us adapt—to lead with confidence when working independently and to thrive in collaboration when the moment calls for it. How do you foster collaboration beyond your internal teams? Let’s explore the possibilities together! #schoolleadership #educationalleadership #principalleadership?

Over the past month, BTS Spark has explored the critical role of coaching in supporting principal well-being. The demands of school leadership—long hours, emotional labour, and high-stakes decisions—can deplete resilience. When a principal’s “energy tank” runs low, it impacts staff, students, and school culture. Leadership coaching provides a structured space to strengthen self-awareness, build resilience, and establish sustainable work-life balance, helping leaders navigate daily moral distress, fostering both personal and professional growth. A key takeaway? Support isn’t optional—it’s essential. Principals who receive coaching develop emotional intelligence, regulate stress more effectively, and lead with confidence. That’s why BTS Spark is excited to share The ETC Process—a practical tool designed to help leaders break free from reactive patterns and make conscious choices in challenging moments. Try it with your team! This month's focus: How group coaching can reduce principal isolation. More to come! #SchoolLeadership #PrincipalWellBeing #LeadershipCoaching #ResilientLeadership #EmotionalIntelligence #EducationMatters

On March 26th we release live the first episode of our new?Sparking Solutions in Educational Leadership?series. ? How to Retain Your Principals?is a concise 30-minute solutions-focused webcast that will screen live and also be downable and viewable after release. https://lnkd.in/eHKU87un At a time when many districts are seeking ways to retain school leaders and teachers we will hear from school leaders across North America about the issues that they are facing. Issues that range from from post-Covid, to mental health, burn out, isolation, and respect. ? We will wrap the session up by hearing from one of our leading Executive Leadership Coaches, Lacee Jacobs, as she outlines steps and models that can help. Hope you can join

Great piece from Dr Phil Lambert PSM on our turbulent times, seeking safe harbors, and what we should be aiming for... it fits directly into our upcoming theme on how to Lead in Uncertainty. We may be reaching out Phil! https://lnkd.in/efzcUbB6 "Successful educational transformation in contemporary times is like courageously navigating from where you are to where you know you need to be–not just a desired location but given the increasingly complex nature of the world and the kind of competencies young people now need, an essential location." #educationalleadership #transformationalleadership #vuca

The role of school principals carries unique challenges that can impact wellbeing and effectiveness. What sets successful leaders apart isn’t just their ability to manage the day-to-day tasks – it’s their capacity to manage emotions in high-stakes situations.?? ? Recent conversations with school leaders highlight a crucial truth: emotional intelligence isn’t a “soft skill” - it’s a fundamental leadership competency. When principals develop stronger emotional awareness and regulation skills, they’re better equipped to:? - Navigate complex decisions with clarity and confidence? - Model resilience for their staff and students? - Transform challenging situations into growth opportunities? - Maintain energy and enthusiasm throughout the school year? - Create a more positive and supportive school culture? ? This is where targeted leadership coaching makes a tangible difference. Through coaching, principals gain access to practical tools and strategies for emotional regulation and mindful decision-making.? BTS Spark is excited to share one such tool: The ETC Process. Give it a try with your team. This evidence-based framework helps leaders break free from reactive patterns and make conscious choices in challenging moments. When school leaders can effectively manage their emotional responses, they’re improving their own wellbeing and they’re creating a ripple effect that positively impacts their entire school community. What emotional regulation tools have you found most valuable in your leadership journey? Please share your experiences.? ? #schoolleadership #principalwellbeing #leadershipdevelopment #emotionalintelligence #educationalleadership #leadership coaching #professionaldevelopment #schoolculture?

Prioritizing Principal Well-Being: Insights and Action? ? Recent research published in "Educational Administration Quarterly" sheds light on the immense time demands and emotionally charged challenges principals face daily. These pressures contribute to high levels of stress and burnout, impacting not only their personal well-being but also the success of their schools. ? ?? As educational leaders, it’s clear we must move beyond acknowledging these challenges to taking actionable steps. One effective strategy is providing principals with access to leadership coaching tailored to address the demands of their role. Coaching offers principals a structured, confidential space to:? ?* Build resilience by reframing challenges as opportunities.? * Develop strategies for managing time and emotional stressors effectively.? * Create healthier work-life boundaries that support sustainability in leadership.? ? Imagine the ripple effect: a principal supported in their well-being can lead with clarity and confidence, fostering a school culture where both staff and students thrive.? ?? The takeaway? Support isn’t optional; it’s essential. Superintendents, consider integrating coaching into your principal support initiatives to empower your leaders to thrive—not just survive—in their roles.? ?? What steps are you taking today to ensure the well-being of your principals? Let’s exchange ideas and build stronger, healthier school communities together.? ? #EducationalLeadership #PrincipalWellBeing #LeadershipCoaching #ActionableSteps #SchoolCulture?

Joining our team is Josh Valeri as Director of BTS Spark Australia. Josh joins us following a successful and varied career in teaching, leadership development, learning design and digital transformation. He is passionate about designing and delivering leadership learning that impacts individuals and transforms school systems, so there is great alignment with our work. Welcome, Josh!

Supporting Principal Well-Being: A Leadership Priority? ? The well-being of school principals isn’t just a personal concern—it’s a leadership imperative. When principals are supported, their resilience and effectiveness ripple across schools, benefiting staff, students, and the broader community.? ? As Corey Haley, Principal in the Parklands School Division, notes in the video clip, coaching helps leaders cope with daily moral distress and fosters both professional growth and personal well-being.? ? The demands of the principalship—long hours, emotional labour, and high-stakes decision-making—often deplete what can be called their “energy tank.” When that tank is running on empty, it’s not just the principal who suffers. Stress trickles down, impacting school culture, staff retention, and ultimately student success.? ? Leadership coaching is a powerful tool to fill that energy tank and strengthen well-being. Coaching addresses key areas of balance: emotional health, social connections, professional growth, and physical vitality. Here’s how coaching makes a difference:? * Promoting self-awareness: Principals learn to identify stressors and manage their responses.? * Building resilience: Coaching reframes challenges as growth opportunities, reducing burnout.? * Supporting work-life balance: Setting boundaries and prioritizing self-care enhances sustainability.? * Creating reflective leaders: Through guided reflection, principals grow into leaders who inspire and sustain positive school cultures.? ? When we prioritize principal well-being, we’re investing in their ability to lead with confidence and clarity. Leadership coaching not only enhances their personal resilience but also amplifies their capacity to create thriving school environments where everyone—students, staff, and leaders—can succeed.? ?? What steps are you taking to ensure your principals have the support they need to thrive? Let’s keep the conversation going—because when principals thrive, schools flourish.?? ? #LeadershipCoaching #WellBeing #EducationLeadership #PrincipalWellbeing #educationalleadership #principalsschools #coaching #leadership Corey Haley's video - https://lnkd.in/gYXEJCy4