Building school cultures one conversation at a time with beginning principals

Effective leaders build a school culture that ensures all learners experience equity and excellence. A culture where diversity is a strength, all are valued, and everyone grows. A culture where the right problems are identified, clarified, and where agreed solutions benefit all.

Our ability to solve problems is closely linked to our thinking. Is it, I am right, and I am going to have to convince everyone else that I have the solution to the problem. Or, is it checking out the beliefs I have with others, delving into their thinking, listening, questioning, and being respectful of everyone, myself included? Truth seeking rather than truth claiming. A genuine effort to gain valid information and commitment to a sustainable solution from all parties.

As leadership advisors for beginning principals, we provide timely, targeted, tailored and responsive support. My job is to support principals to develop their leadership capabilities. Leading by Learning ensures their practice grows both relationships and progresses tasks. This results in effective problem solving and a strong learning culture.

As relationships are established, principals share their vision for moving the school forward, as identified in either the strategic plan or as expressed in their appointment interview. At each future meeting our discussions begin with “what’s on top” moving to inquiry into their leadership focus. Discussion in a Leading by Learning context requires me to help the principal identify presenting issues or concerns. These concerns are critical, progress is seldom made by contented leaders. Often, the presenting problem is a symptom, and not the actual problem. We explore this reality via inquiry and through questioning available evidence.

By exploring the issue through listening deeply, inquiring further, and respectfully advocating a position, we establish if there is a compelling reason to progress the task. Coaching the principal in the strategies for inquiry with their staff to check the validity of the identified problem, and coaching in truth seeking through deep inquiry, is the basis for ensuring commitment by all to progressing a strategy to solve the problem.

The use and development of these skills is the foundation of our interactions. Conversations and challenges leading back to the identified problem, enables educational leaders to demonstrate commitment and capability to improving student achievement and reducing disparity.

Learning that leadership is not about winning, but about growing common understanding, based on credible evidence of what needs to be the focus for improvement, can be challenging. Modelling how to progress tasks and build relational trust is modelling good leadership. And finally, it’s about gaining commitment to action using credible evidence, and engendering a culture of “we are in this together, and together we can make a difference”.

If you wish to learn more about using Leading by Learning to grow your school culture reach out to our team today

Contact Judith Wootton