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Principals of Leadership

Strong leadership is necessary for any organization to thrive.

Early career administrators must learn to prioritize self-awareness, compassionate communication, and psychological safety in their leadership style. These skills allow for productive meetings and the ability to have hard conversations. Creating an environment where individuals feel supported and heard can lead to a more effective team with better outcomes for all students.

 

 Principals of Leadership is a 12-week group coaching program created by Adia Dawn. It was designed to provide early career or aspiring administrators with a foundation on which to build their personal leadership skills and a framework to ensure they create a culture of safety, collaboration, and accelerated learning for all.

Principals of Leadership Learning Modules 

Self-Awareness
Uncovered

Self-awareness involves understanding one's own thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Identifying personal triggers and recognizing nonverbal signals helps individuals better control their actions and reactions. Introspection allows for reflection and growth, while being aware of others' perceptions is crucial for effective communication. Implicit bias can influence our perceptions and actions towards others, and recognizing and addressing these biases is important in promoting equality and fairness. Developing a strong sense of self-awareness can lead to more positive and mindful interactions with others.

Psychological Safety 101

Psychological safety and perceived safety in schools lead to feeling safe, increased trust, and a positive school culture. When students and staff feel psychologically safe in their school environment, they are more likely to be open and expressive. This enables them to build better relationships with one another, increase support, and develop more productive learning communities. In contrast, a lack of perceived safety can lead to fear, anxiety, mistrust, and disengagement from the learning process. Therefore, promoting psychological safety and perceived safety are critical factors in establishing a healthy school environment.

Self-Care Is Not
A Luxury

Self-care and self-awareness are essential in managing stress response and preventing it from holding you back. Learn why it is so important to prioritize regularly taking time for yourself, practicing relaxation techniques, and maintaining healthy habits. Become attuned to your emotional triggers and patterns, and work on adapting stress-coping strategies to your individual needs. Remember that stressors are a normal part of life, but with the right mindset and tools, you can overcome them and live a more fulfilling life and become a more competent leader.

Collaborative Expectation Building

Collaborative expectation building leads to increased buy-in from team members, fostering feelings of belonging and a sense of being heard. The teamwork involved in this process promotes a shared understanding of goals, roles, and expectations, resulting in a more cohesive and aligned group. This approach encourages individuals to actively participate in shaping the team's culture and fosters a positive work environment that supports growth and development for all members. By involving everyone in the process, Collaborative Expectation Building enhances communication and trust within the team, leading to improved performance and outcomes.

Compassionate Communication

Compassionate communication involves actively listening to others and trying to understand their perspective. It requires empathy and a willingness to consider the feelings of another person. By focusing on the speaker's words and emotions without judgment, one can build a stronger connection and create a space for meaningful dialogue. Additionally, perspective taking is a crucial component of compassionate communication. It involves seeing a situation from someone else's point of view, which can help to reduce misunderstandings and promote mutual understanding.

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Mastering Your Meetings

Mastering meetings involves using a solution-focused approach that addresses the underlying interests of all parties involved, without blaming anyone. Instead of dwelling on problems, the approach should shift towards problem-solving, searching for potential solutions that benefit all parties involved. 

To maintain collaboration and participation, it's important to keep meetings organized and on track. By creating a positive environment that encourages open communication and teamwork, you can establish an effective meeting culture that drives results and supports the success of your organization. 

Application Process & Upcoming Cohort

This coaching program is limited to aspiring or early career school administrators who want to build essential skills that will facilitate building meaningful relationships, engaging stakeholders, and advocating for student success. Effective school leadership drives student achievement and creates lasting impacts on the community.

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While technical skills are important for leaders, it's important not to overlook the "soft skills" such as communication, empathy, and emotional intelligence. These skills are crucial for building strong relationships with team members and creating a positive work environment. Leaders who possess these skills are better able to motivate and inspire their teams, handle conflict, and foster innovation and creativity. It's important for leaders to continually develop and refine their soft skills, as they can be the key to long-term success in leadership roles.

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There are four cohorts of Principals of Leadership offered each school year.

Each cohort is a unique community of new and aspiring leaders who are dedicated to sharing openly and honestly throughout the 12-week program. Weekly meetings occur remotely to allow for participation from anywhere. Participants have access to a private group where connection, discussion, and collaboration are encouraged.

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Interested in applying to be part of the next cohort of Principals of Leadership? 

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