Helen Verroux的动态

What would happen if you were 5% more vulnerable as a school leader? If you shared more of how you were feeling? This is a question I posed in my newsletter this week as I explored some of the research on school leadership, well-being and emotional management. ? One of the research findings was that the main strategy that school leaders in their study used to deal with the emotional demands was by hiding their emotions (Maxwell and Riley, 2017). ?However, hiding emotions was also associated with decreased well-being and job satisfaction, and increased burnout. ?In another study school leaders felt the need to hide their fears and maintain an image of being in control (Mahfouz, 2018). To be vulnerable, to share some of our feelings with others requires strength and can be done with control. However, my perception is that vulnerability is often less explored or worked towards as a desirable leadership trait, than for example confidence. I am no longer leading within a school but when I reflect on my time as Headteacher during Covid, I wonder about what would have happened if I had been 5% more vulnerable, and shared with some people more about how I was feeling at those critical times. I think that if I had done this, one of the impacts would have been the formation of a stronger team that would have led to a more distributed and considered decision-making. ?I would love to hear your reflections on vulnerability in leadership - what do you think the impacts might be of being 5% more vulnerable? ?? If you would like to sign up for my newsletter exploring pathways to well-being and school leadership then the sign up link is at the top of the page. (When I was looking for a related pic, I found this from a recent gallery visit. Franz Xaver Messerschmidt was someone who didn’t hide emotion but exaggerated them for his sculptures) (References in the comments) #wellbeing #positiveschoolleadership #schoolleaders #schoolleadership

This week I read "The Principal’s Journey: Navigating the Path to School Leadership" by Principal Dr. Rachel Edoho-Eket and was captivated by its insights. The book, although set in a school context, offers valuable lessons applicable across industries. To preface, Dr. Rachel's recount of a pivotal question from her former principal, reminding us of the transformative power of mentorship early in our careers. As I get ready to read "Stubborn Roots: Race, Culture, and Inequality in The U.S. and South African Schools," I reflect on three key chapters that hold relevance for professionals at any stage: 1. Chapter 2: The Importance of a Powerful Leadership Mentor Emphasizing the significance of a robust leadership mentor, Dr. Rachel shares invaluable advice on identifying and nurturing mentor relationships. 2. Chapter 5: The First Year on the Job Chapter 5 provides strategies for establishing allies and forming a supportive network, a topic close to my heart as the Executive Director & Co-Founder of #ReadersAllInc. Like all of us, my first year as an Executive Director taught me many painful lessons, and it was not fun learning them the hard way. 3. Chapter 7: Building a Positive School Culture Focused on cultivating a positive organizational culture, this chapter underscored the critical role of leaders in fostering a safe and inclusive environment, a principle I prioritize at #ReadersAllInc. Dr. Rachel's book not only enriched my understanding of school leadership but also provided a fresh perspective as I embark on exploring themes of race, culture, and inequality in education. #ThePrincipalsJourney #Leadership #ReadersAllInc

????????? ???????????????????? ???????????? ?????????? ?????????? ? Leadership skills aren’t just for adults or older students—they’re important for elementary age students, too! Research has shown that students who begin developing leadership skills early are more likely to excel both academically and socially. That's because leadership isn’t only about taking charge; it’s about: ? being a good listener ? supporting others ? making thoughtful ?. fair decisions ???????? ?????????? ?????? ?? ????????????? is a guided journal designed for students ages 8-12 to start building these important skills. Through fun and engaging activities, the journal teaches kids the value of teamwork, communication, and self-leadership. Whether your child is leading a group project at school or helping friends solve problems, these skills are vital for future success. By cultivating leadership qualities early, you are teaching them life skills and setting your students up for a lifetime of confidence and empowerment. Help them understand that being a leader doesn’t mean being perfect—it means being thoughtful, fair, and willing to step up when needed. ????????? ???? ?????????????? ???????????????????? ???? ???????? ???????????????? ?????? ?????????? ?????????? ????????-????????????? Comment or DM to learn more about W?????? ?????????? ?????? ?? ????????????? and how it can make a difference in students' growth. ???????? ?? I enjoy teaching students to believe in themselves, to own their power, and to respect differences. ?? I encourage them to take brave action towards their goals and make a positive impact in the community. ???? ?????????? ?????????? ???? ?????????????????? ?????? ???????????????????? ????????????????, ?????????????? ???? ????. #EmpowerKids #Leadership #SelfEsteem #SocialEmotionalLearning ?

This past Tuesday, I had the pleasure of being a guest lecturer at Princeton! Ask me if I took any photos. Nope, not a single one. It was such a quick trip that I didn't even get the chance to enjoy the beautiful campus. Welp! I came. I taught. And I left. My “Inclusive Leadership Requires Emotional Intelligence” session was the second lecture of their gradFutures Professional Development Inclusive Leadership Learning Cohort. As this was the second class, connections between peers hadn't been established yet. However, after several small group sessions, I was pleased by the engaging discussion within their teams and our Q&A at the end. So, although I didn’t capture any pictures to memorialize a pretty dope experience, here are a couple of testimonials from a couple of students: "Farah was extremely engaging and captivating to listen to - I have not had such a positive experience of an interactive session concerning “soft” skills (that we agreed are actually personal strengths) before!" "I hope there are more sessions like that that are open to the public - VERY valuable experience!!" Oh, and did I forget to mention that my mommy brain was super concerned about our youngest kiddo, who had to be picked up early on Tuesday because he wasn't feeling well? It turns out he has pneumonia,?and I, too, have been under the weather. So here's a pic of my title page, a souvenir, and a cup of tea (if you like the mug, I'll link it in the comments). Happy Friday, and stay healthy, my friends! #emotionalIntelligence #leadership #inclusion

?? How well do you foster the topics of inclusion, diversity and well-being among your students? ? We should not overlook these topics in school communities, especially when it comes to students ? I think it is important to focus on inclusive leadership, self-care and uniqueness when it comes to encouraging students to grow in finding their own truth ?? Everything starts with self-leadership. We can only lead well as far as we lead ourselves well ?? The way teens view themselves, their understanding of self-love, self-care start with how much we make them aware of these topics. ?? It is important not to overlook these topics when they are young as they need to learn they have a part to play in shaping their own life and the world around them with the right perspective. What do you think? ??Book your slot today to learn more about the program https://lnkd.in/eac7d-qF --‐--------------‐------------------------------ My name is Helen I provide high school senior leaders and trust leaders a yearly comprehensive weekly leadership program for their student council ?to increase positive relationships ?to bridge the gap between student leaders and student followers ?with a weekly peer-to-peer mentorship club called “Success & Leadership Club” (SLC) ????Drop me a DM if you would like to hear more about my program for next academic year (3 MONTHS FREE TRIAL, MONEY BACK GUARANTEE) _________________________________________ ?I am also available for public speaking opportunities on the following ??The 3M’s to ignite, develop leaders and create meaningful connections in your high school community ??How to build emotional resilient leaders to build retention and for maximum I.M.P.A.C.T? Follow for more #leadifferent #ignitehighschool #nextgen #leadership ?Share this post

Though the question is posed in a simple way, the answer may not come so easily. Change management is one of the hardest things for leaders to embrace, no matter what sector they work in, but especially when we're talking about education. There's this phenomenon called "traditional inertia", which is a type of resistance that comes when folks are comfortable and unwilling to modify and adjust their practices because of what they've "always done". Resistance is inevitable within equity work, especially when you're working with teachers to ensure that the quality of their teaching is responsive to the way the brain learns and the diverse (and oftentimes overwhelming) needs of the students in our present classrooms. Just because resistance is inevitable doesn't mean it's impossible to overcome. But here's what you need to know...overcoming comes soon to those who embrace transformational leadership. ??It's the type of leadership that is an inside-out job. ??It's the type of leadership that shifts your perspectives, your attitude, and it substantiates your beliefs in the strength of your team and students. ??It's the type of leadership that lives within the promise and manifestation of change that matters...change towards sustainable and transformative equity-based systems within culture and instruction. I created a tangible resource to help these types of leaders who are ready for transformation to make strides in how they observe for instructional equity. It's called the "Culturally Responsive Observational Rubric Guide" and is available for FREE! ??Comment the word "guide" and I'll send it to your DM. #equityineducation #instructionalequity #equityandinclusion #instructionalleadership #schoolleadership #schoolleaders #culturallyresponsiveteaching #culturallyresponsive #socialjusticeeducation #leadershipdevelopment #teachergrowth

In the realm of student leadership, it's crucial to cultivate traits that not only guide but inspire. Here are key lessons for coaches, mentors, and educators working with high school and college students: 1?? Embrace Vulnerability: It's okay to be wrong and admit it. By modeling this behavior, you create a safe environment where authenticity thrives. Students learn that mistakes are part of growth, fostering a culture of openness and trust. 2?? Practice Apology: Even leaders make mistakes. Teaching students to apologize when warranted demonstrates humility and respect. It reinforces the idea that leadership isn't about being infallible but about accountability and integrity. 3?? Lead by Example: Establish standards and hold yourself accountable to them. No one is above the law. By adhering to the same principles you expect from your team, you show that leadership isn't about hierarchy but about unity and responsibility. Empowering young leaders with these principles not only shapes their character but also equips them to navigate challenges with grace and resilience. Together, let's nurture a generation of leaders who lead not just with authority, but with empathy and integrity. ???? Full video on my YouTube Channel: https://lnkd.in/ekdXNchi #studentleadership #leadershipdevelopment #empowerment #collegestudents #growthroughwhatyougothrough

Is it time to shift the focus? ?? Last week, I had the privilege of working with an educator to identify and clarify their strengths. We used Marcus Buckingham’s definition—strengths aren’t just what we’re good at, but what energizes us in the process. During our session, we discussed how these strengths could be leveraged to tackle current challenges. As humans, we tend to focus on weaknesses—what’s not going well—while often overlooking the powerful impact of harnessing our strengths to grow and solve problems. This was certainly my experience when working in schools. Whether reviewing lesson observations, staff feedback, or parent surveys, I used to zero in on areas for improvement, almost skipping past the strengths. And some school environments embrace and promote this deficit approach to development, particularly for staff. But what if we shifted our focus? ? What if we truly understood what we are like at our best and how to apply those strengths to overcome challenges? ? What if we took the time to explore the positives in feedback, for ourselves and our students? Imagine a whole school community that celebrates strengths—colleagues and students alike. My newsletter provides some questions for you and your school leadership team to explore your strengths - if you would like a copy then the sign-up is in the comments below. ------------------------------------------------------------ I am Jenny a Positive Leadership Coach My mission is for leaders in education to thrive and for this to radiate out and create flourishing school communities. We can work together through 121, group or team coaching. I also provide positive leadership and well-being training. ? Sign up for my newsletter (link at the top of the page) for research snippets and tips on leading with and for wellbeing. ?? DM for free bite-size videos on positive leadership. #positiveleadership #schoolleaders #schoolleadership #strengthsbasedleadership

Leading with Empathy. Empathy is a powerful tool that can transform the way we understand, support, and uplift our students and staff. But how can we, as leaders, effectively utilise empathy to cultivate well-being in our schools? Since 2014, Growing With Gratitude has worked with 750+ schools in-person, through online live events and online programs. Through this experience we want to share the role that empathy can play in educational leadership. Empathy in Educational Leadership Empathy is more than understanding—it's about genuinely connecting with the joys and challenges of our students and staff, ensuring they feel heard and supported. Here's 5 ideas to ponder... 1. Listening with Intent Active listening is key. Engage deeply with your community, showing genuine interest in their perspectives and making them feel valued. 2. Fostering a Culture of Openness and Trust Lead by being open and transparent, encouraging a school culture where everyone feels safe to share and be themselves. 3. Prioritising Emotional Intelligence Emotional intelligence is essential for managing stress and resolving conflicts. Cultivating this in your community equips everyone to handle challenges with resilience. 4. Implementing Empathy-Driven Policies and Programs Embed empathy in school policies and daily interactions. Consider initiatives like well-being committees to reinforce this approach. 5. Leading by Example The most effective way to promote empathy is to embody it in your leadership, setting a compassionate tone for the entire community. As we navigate the complexities of education, let's keep empathy at the forefront of our policies and practices, creating a nurturing environment for all. We encourage you to share your experiences with empathy in leadership. What's your experiences been? Would love to read about them in the comments. #education #schools #school #empathy #leadership #schoolleaders #teachers

Today, I wanted to share some thoughts on a topic that’s close to my heart – the importance of giving young leaders in secondary school the opportunity to shoulder responsibility. I want us to know that in their journey through secondary school, they are not just learning facts and figures; they are also learning about themselves, their capabilities, and what it means to take charge. It’s a time when they can start to shape not just their academic path, but their future as a whole. Let’s think about it, the beauty of fostering responsibility in young leaders is that it’s not just beneficial for the present moment; it’s an investment in their future. When? we teach them to handle responsibility, we are helping them to lay the groundwork for success in whatever path they want to choose to pursue. Moreover, being entrusted with responsibility in their formative years teaches them invaluable life skills that extend far beyond the classroom. It teaches them accountability, resilience, and the power of teamwork. These are qualities that not only make them better students but also better leaders of society. #YoungLeaders #ResponsibilityMatters #FutureLeaders