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