Why focus on Leading by Learning?
Collaboratively solve problems and improve your conversational effectiveness.
The main goal of schools and kura is to raise student achievement and reduce disparity. School leaders play a vital role in solving problems that get in the way of achieving this goal. Challenges include:
variation in quality of teaching
variation in quality of leadership
insufficient knowledge to solve problems
building relational trust.
Problems are solved through interactions with others. However, in these interactions leaders often experience the considerable tension between solving the problem and maintaining strong interpersonal relationships. Leading by Learning teaches leaders how to build organisational trust while making significant progress on problems that contribute to inequitable student outcomes.
Viviane Robinson, widely known both in New Zealand and internationally for her programme of research and development in educational leadership, has partnered with Evaluation Associates | Te Huinga Kākākura Mātauranga to develop Leading by Learning. Described as ‘the next generation’, from her and Jacqui Patuawa’s previous work on leadership conversations, Leading by Learning brings together Viviane’s unparalleled expertise and our commitment, and experience in teaching learning-focused principles.
Developing a quick and easy ‘run sheet’ for what to do next about a difficult conversation or for a school problem that needs to be solved is tempting. Sometimes a quick ‘next step’ is all that’s needed. However, for problems of teaching and learning that are long-standing and complex, quick fixes or step-by-step guides are inadequate.
Leading by Learning includes thinking about and practising effective conversations but goes well beyond this. It challenges the motivations and thoughts of leaders and reveals how these contribute to the effectiveness of problem-solving conversations.
Leading by Learning examines how leaders may need to unlearn, and then re-learn, how they think and act in situations they find challenging.
Doing so will enable them to:
approach interactions with a deep sense of self-respect and respect for others
genuinely seek and test the validity of the information they use to solve problems
ensure mutual commitment to decisions made
How do people experience Leading by Learning?
Deepening your leadership capability is a journey. You can do this through a range of learning opportunities.
Setting people up for success
The journey starts with an introductory learning opportunity via either a multi-day workshop or through in-school support. This introduction to Leading by Learning involves:
coaching and extensive feedback from accredited facilitators
contextualised problem solving
deep understanding of personal motivations and the impact that these have on those you lead
time to focus on educator’s thinking and action
practical focus on learning-focused conversations
a focus on school improvement
increased knowledge of theory and practice underpinning Leading by Learning
access to the Leading by Learning online hub.
Leaders will then be able to access the new Leading by Learning online hub to strengthen their practice by engaging with readings, videos, supporting tools, and discussions with the Leading by Learning team.
Building on the learning
Leading by Learning online hub
The Leading by Learning online hub is a real innovation for leaders. Use the online hub to improve your use of Leading by Learning. You can:
attend exclusive webinars hosted by Viviane, Jacqui, and members of the Leading by Learning team
have access to readings, videos, exemplars, and short courses
have access to 1:1 coaching
receive feedback based on analysis of your transcripts and conversations.
It is like having an educational consultant in your back pocket.
Further courses to extend leadership capability
We are currently building the next workshops and courses which will be released in late 2022.
