What do you do if you're a new Educational Leader seeking mentorship and guidance?

Leadership can be a lonely place at the top, especially in high performing environments. Look at professional qualifications, they not only try to up skill leaders, but provide a networking environment of like minded individuals. Finally look into instructional coaching, there’s plenty of consultants out there who will offer a free trial to see if it’s right for you

As a new educational leader seeking mentorship or guidance......: 1.I will reach out to experienced educational leaders within our organization or network. 2. I will seek mentorship programs offered by educational institutions or professional organizations. 3. I will try to join online communities or forums dedicated to educational leadership to connect with peers and mentors. 4. I will make a group with the same interest leaders for learning educational leadership .....

As a new educational leader, one can seek guidance from experienced leaders inside or outside the organization. Before reaching out to anyone for guidance, one should identify the areas where he needs guidance such as instructional leadership, staff management, curriculum development, or strategic planning. One should always approach mentorship with an open mind and a willingness to learn and grow while being receptive to feedback, constructive criticism, and alternative viewpoints. Take initiative in implementing suggestions and applying new strategies in your leadership role.

Admire few leaders, try to reach out to express my goals, having open mind to receive the feedback and adapt the change what the mentorship is expected to improve myself and be as best guide to transform for the expected outcome by building support with peers, taking feedback, opt for change also do self-assessment so that i can be an example to others ,involving all to accomplish the goals without bias ,ignoring the short comings of the followers and transform mentors as leaders

Seeking mentorship from colleagues in the field who have a track record of success and years of experience is going to be invaluable to you on your new leadership journey. You will be able to grow and find such opportunities through professional organizations, conferences, and inquiries in professional conversations with other individuals in your network. Through these suggestions, I have been able to garner various perspectives from multiple individuals. Leadership styles and approaches vary; however, I have been able to glean something from every leader I have encountered that has enhanced my growth as I continue to evolve as a leader.

During my career, I have always tried to develop a network of like minded educators, that I can contact when I am in need of guidance, or if I have an idea that I would like to "beta test" before trying out with staff or students. Developing these networks is helped by attending conferences, as well as by joining events such as teach meets, and online professional forums.

In my experience, networking is about relationships, relationships and relationships. Through networking, I was able to be strategic in identifying potential mentors within my field, that had similar professional experiences and leadership approaches but pushed me to thinking differently. When we established a relationship that benefited both of us, we were both able to seek guidance from each other in navigating challenges, developing skills, and advancing our careers. As a Latino, there aren’t many Latino Educational Leaders therefore when I found someone I made sure to cultivate that relationship.

One view on networking is that you have to be extroverted to achieve here. I'd disagree. By attending conferences you will naturally sit next to people and forge connections. Try and develop these!

I would be cautious about networking "widely". I think initially it is much more wise to network within the scope of your portfolio and based on your personal leadership skills development. Build yourself a solid foundation with networks and experts who can provide you with tangible and constructive advice on what you need now. Save the wider networking for when you are further established and can focus on developing the capacity of your wider community and the people within.

In my experience building a wide and strong network is also a means of learning from multiple and diverse perspectives your close connections have to offer. Considering that leadership requires more from the one concerned, more is equally expected.

Reflect on your practice often. Journal and record your learnings and find a mentor who can play the role of a critical friend. You must have a confidant that you can share your reflections with and seek feedback from. While some of these conversations may be challenging, change does not occur in a vacuum. If you want to grow and develop your leadership practice you must be ok with being vulnerable and sitting in the discomfort.

As a new leader in education, I keep a daily journal of my day and self reflect at the end to make sure I notice any trends of things to improve on or discontinue. It also helps me get a fresh start on the next day.

1. Allocate regular time: whether daily, weekly, or monthly for introspection. During these moments, evaluate your progress, consider challenges you encountered, and recognize your growth. 2. Engage in reflective questioning: - What went well today? - How did I handle challenges? - What areas can I improve upon? 3. Maintain a journal or digital notes to record your reflections. This practice enables you to track your development over time.

Indeed, self-reflection is a cornerstone of effective leadership. By setting aside time to reflect on your experiences, decisions, and feedback, you gain valuable insights into your leadership journey. Consider maintaining a leadership journal to record your thoughts, successes, and areas for growth. This practice not only helps you assess your progress but also allows you to set personal goals and stay aligned with your values and vision for education. Through regular introspection, you can better understand the impact of your leadership and continuously strive for improvement.

I think the most important detail is to have total clarity of the goal; what are you trying to achieve? What’s the point? Why is it necessary? Time frames, restrictions… then problem solve.

Listen to your teams, be present and interested in the stories of your institution. Listen to inform and then share your understanding of the institution and your pathway going forward.

One thing I learnt early on in senior leadership was to volunteer for tasks, and seek guidance when completing them. This not only shows willingness, but also gives you further opportunity to interact with more potential mentors.

Take every opportunity you can to embrace connection with your community and to work collaboratively with other leaders and teams. Develop your wider understanding of your community by working alongside them, broadening your practice beyond the limits of your direct portfolio and teams.

Instead of viewing challenges as obstacles, see them as opportunities for growth and learning. Adopting a positive mindset can help you approach challenges with confidence and resilience. Understand that facing challenges is a normal part of leadership development. Set realistic expectations for yourself and acknowledge that it's okay to encounter setbacks along the way. Actively seek feedback from colleagues, mentors, and team members. Constructive feedback can provide valuable insights into areas where you can improve and help you navigate challenges more effectively.

A challenge is simply another opportunity to learn new skills and empower yourself to become a better leader. Leading by example is the only way to show others how to lead. I will always use the words honesty, integrity and being fair, as the foundation of any good and effective mentor.

In supporting new educational leaders seeking mentorship, it's imperative to prioritize staying informed for all involved parties. Remaining updated on current educational trends, policies, and best practices is paramount for effective leadership. New educational leaders should actively pursue professional development opportunities, including attending conferences and participating in relevant training sessions. For instance, enrolling in leadership courses or workshops can enhance skills in conflict resolution, instructional leadership, and data-driven decision-making. This proactive approach enables leaders to navigate the challenges inherent in their roles, fostering continuous growth and professional development.

De fato, estamos em constante aprendizado e desenvolvimento. Novas metodologias com o propósito de aprimoramento educacional. Atrelar na prática o que aprendemos na teoria. Mesclar de acordo com a realidade de cada um. Não há uma maneira mais eficaz de melhoria, do que no aperfeiçoamento. O conhecimento adquirido nos amplia, enriquece.

As a new educational leader, it is important to remain a learner. Look for nontraditional ways to learn from others. For example, many top educational leaders have various social media platforms. Follow them, subscribe to their newsletters, blogs, etc. Some of these leaders interact with their followers and provide sound advice. These leaders also offer coaching and mentorship if your school budget allows it.

Quando nos envolvemos em uma carreira, em uma instituição ou em uma função somos tendentes a nos esquecermos de todo o resto que fica de fora. Usamos todo o tempo, relações, interesses e recursos para tocar o que diz respeito aquele micro mundo. Então começamos a nos desconectar do mundo exterior, desligamos o radar de interesses diversos e nosso repertório passa a ser bastante limitado. Nesse cenário, o risco de perdermos a relevância é enorme. Pois perdemos relevância na medida que nos desconectamos do que acontece a nossa volta. Dedique tempo a assuntos ligados a educação. Tanto os imediatos que influenciam o contexto da instituição em que trabalha, mas também os que vão além.

Embrace challenges by collaborating with your team, listening to their perspectives, and setting goals to implement strategies that you think apply to your challenge. Keeping a journal of strategies that worked and those that didn't provides feedback to you and your team.

Seeking mentoring/guidance would imply a level of humility, a much-needed human quality for an effective school leader. Coupled with honesty, that you do not have all the answers nor should you, is something that you should embrace in appreciating feedback, opinions and different points of view - even if they are agree to disagree moments. Provide a forum for feedback, in person, digitally, directly, indirectly i.e. on behalf of a department and not an individual. The best school leaders I have worked for, encouraged feedback and even wanted it formally often. They are not threatened by it or using it as an excuse to be cynical for PR, as some school leaders do i.e. show only positive feedback and deny negative/critical feedback.

It can seem terrifying at first seeking out genuine feedback. However finding people who are truly invested in your growth is a good place to start looking for honest and constructive feedback. Finding the people who will benefit from your growth is a helpful place to start when working out who do I go to for feedback?

It seems uncomfortable at first as I am person prone to amplify the negative even though it may simply be constructive. I think the more we challenge ourselves to be open to feedback we are better able to respond and leverage it to lead improvement. For me, it is the understanding that if I genuinely want to learn, grow and improve I need to value other perspectives and be open to challenge myself. If I heard only positive feedback I might become complacent or inflate my value. I have learnt to highly value someone who can honestly and professionally highlight the shadows or make apparent my potential for growth. Being open to feedback means being able to ask and accept. Constructive feedback is a gift!

Supporting new educational leaders seeking mentorship and guidance, I recognize the importance of obtaining essential feedback for growth. Valuable feedback is crucial for fostering development. Cultivating open communication allows new leaders to benefit from diverse perspectives. Leaders on all levels should actively seek input from stakeholders like teachers, students, parents, and fellow administrators. For instance, conducting surveys or focus groups provides insights into leadership effectiveness. Additionally, mentorship relationships with experienced leaders offer personalized support based on shared experiences. By integrating these practices, new educational leaders navigate challenges and progress in their careers effectively.

Acceptance of feedback is essential for growth. It needs to be timely and concise. Positive feedback is the key to effective practice and improvement. In the organisation in which I work, we have developed a culture of positive reinforcement through feedback which then leads to the contribution of continuous improvement for all. We carryout regular supervision for staff which is always a good forum to listen, to give feedback and to receive feedback as it works both ways. We all want to do well and improve and having good, positive and constructive feedback is the essence of personal growth and moving forward. It also develops resilience and supports leaders at all levels. The impact speaks for itself.

New leaders often let the title go to their heads, getting consumed by the system. It's crucial for aspiring leaders to build their influence before their promotion, starting with self-leadership and hard work to earn credibility. Values instilled early in life set individuals apart, but true leaders are made, not born. Conduct a values audit and adjust as needed to enhance your influence. By embodying these principles, you will inspire others to follow you willingly and fearlessly; a very rare trait that only great leaders experience. Leadership is about impact and inspiration, not titles.

If a newly appointed headteacher remember that: The Deputy Head is probably as good as you and can provide an excellent sounding board. Spend time with them and treat them as an equal

Keep your ego in check. Asking for help doesn't mean you can't lead. Listen to everybody, their opinion matters. Earn respect, not ask for it. Be careful with your friendships, it could cause problems later. Learn to delegate responsibility.

In navigating the transition into educational leadership, the importance of mentorship and networking cannot be overstated. However, in seeking mentorship, it is essential to broaden our perspectives beyond the confines of our immediate environment and look at mentorship opportunities from outside the school community as well. Engaging with professional educational networks allows for exposure to diverse viewpoints and approaches that allow us to see the wood for the trees. Now, this is not to say that one should not seek guidance and mentorship from seasoned leaders within our schools as well. However, having an objective sounding board does offer a different vantage point and, in doing so, helps us identify our own blindspots.

Take time outside to upskill.... what helped me was Toastmasters International ... public speaking and leadership.... I could be me in a group that just knew me as Tracy. Also, dont give up hobbies... they are keys to your wellbeing but keep a notebook handy for random ideas and thoughts.