Andrea Payne: On Leadership
- On Leadership... and preaching to other than the choir
- making our voices - our skills as TL’s - heard against a multitude of competing interests and demands
Objectives for the session are to help TL’s develop their leadership practice
- ever experience frustration from knowing that you have “legs” - experience - and a wealth of skills and information to share
- do you feel like you’ve hit that wall… always preaching to the choir?
- does it always seem to be the same 6 or 7 teachers coming to Lunch and Learns, or partner with you willingly
- wonder how to bring the people you wish you could reach on board and make inroads with them?
- are there people you’d like to support better, or work on a project with?
You are not alone
- it's a real struggle that teacher leaders experience across the system
- as teacher leaders and subject matter experts it’s OK to need help mastering the art of dealing with the adults in the building
Central to the discussion is the concept of leadership... What is Leadership?
- Please refer to the embedded presentation for definitions, where necessary
- Please also refer to the handout, also embedded below at bottom of this webpage
- Much of the “philosophy” represented in the presentation comes from the book Real Influence by Mark Goulston and John Ullmen
"leadership as the exercise of influence"… influencing others for positive outcome
- "connected influence" vs. "disconnect influence"
- significant, positive, ethical (Ontario Leadership Framework 2013)
As TL’s we have to lead others
- we are not just influencing the students
- we bring a very specific skill set that others may not be as proficient at
- when we influence colleagues we bring good to school overall since we have the ability to reach every staff member and every student
**Important to remember that we really are one of those heart of the school roles
- we can exercise influence over colleagues
Our natural urge is to say “do things our way”
- not always the best way to go!
EXAMPLE: You want to get teachers on board with GAFE
- small existing group of teachers already on board, but not the rest…
- send out a Google Form to staff... and include a question on bottom of the Google Form asking if they’d like to learn how to create a Google Form, or ideas about how to use a Google Form
- or put the question as a PS on the e-mail notification
- this allows you to start the conversation, to get a foot in door to chat about how to support your colleagues in a meaningful way that matters to them
We have to constantly be selling the library, selling the programme
- what we need to know is what it is that people really want and need
- then we have to figure out how to meet them there... where they are!
QUOTE from book Real Influence (Ref “What is Influence” on handout embedded below)
- Most important thing is to differentiate between “your here” and “their there”
- take a moment to let this passage works it way through your brain!
Ask yourself... What is their most pressing need?
Suggestions for finding out:
- sit and go through staff list - mentally or physically - and make mindful note(s) to self about where they (your staff) are at and how best to help each on an individual level/basis
OR... - Ask your staff outright: What would you like to learn/know/try this year?
- Great basic starting point.
- You can offer suggestions/ideas... Open their eyes to what resources are available in/through the library
Get yourself thinking about your colleagues “their there”…. Also means asking yourself
- “Why are people responding (as they are)?”
- “How is my behaviour contributing?”
- What can I do instead?
Example: PD by Mailbox
- sign out book/resource in teacher's name
- leave them in mailbox with a note letting them know to drop by if they want any more help…
- sometimes it’s just as simple as opening that door
- what you want to happen may not happen immediately, but it will (eventually!!) happen
We have to gain our colleagues permission to lead
- Regardless where/when the interaction occurs… think about what doing and how you can gain the permission to lead them
- There are always, and will always be, awkward moments and relationships
- We show pretty much infinite patience and influence with kids
- We need to do the same with the adults in our building
- We need to bring them alongside but... let them walk through the door on their own
Change Contract (Ref handout embedded below)...
- Andrea left us each with the challenge to choose one thing to make actionable
- One thing we each can make happen…. and go for it!
Andrea also left us with copies of the book Lemons to Lemonade: Resolving Problems in Meetings, Workplaces, and PLC's by Robert J. Garmston and Diane P. Zimmerman
- of particular note is the suggestion to check the personality profiles of people in our workplace…
- there were no copies left after the meeting but I'm sure if you contact Andrea she might have copies she could send you
Upcoming PD Workshops on Leadership
Leading Professional Learning in Schools
- Jan 28th @ 17 Fairmedaow Ave
- Register on Key to Learn
- Feb 4th @ 17 Fairmeadow Ave
- Register on Key to Learn
Lastly, Andrea is happy to come out to schools and work with teachers.
- She can be contacted at [email protected]
Workshop Presentation...
Workshop Handout... print double-sided and fold in middle