Self-Awareness

Political and Social Changes: Leading in Unpredictable Times

/ Dave Eberwein / 2 Comments

If you had asked me even 2 years ago if the world’s political and social climate would have been this unpredictable, I’m confident my answer would not be the same as it is today. From our recent BC provincial election, to the recent change in the American presidency, and a possible significant change at the Canadian federal level as well, our political and social realities are undergoing massive upheavals.

There is a bubbling social undercurrent where voices of intolerance, accusation, and finger pointing are becoming more noticeable.

Building an Effective Team Should be Critical for Every Leader

How do educational leaders continue their important, collaborative work of building an inclusive, welcoming and engaging environment during this time of uncertainty?

Authenticity … the substance of effective leadership.

Being authentic is a critical component of creating an environment where everyone feels important — where trust flourishes and people grow. Leaders need to focus on their authenticity more than ever at this critical time of change.

But what exactly makes authenticity so vital in leadership, and what must leaders do to achieve it?

Authentic leadership is rooted in self-awareness, transparency, and a strong ethical foundation. Leaders who are authentic stay true to their values and communicate openly with their teams. This transparency builds the trust which is critical for employees to feel that they are engaging with a real person rather than a façade or a simply another person with a title.

Higher levels of employee satisfaction, personal productivity and collaboration can be the result. When employees trust their leaders, they feel more secure in their roles and are more committed to their work — they feel valued and respected. High-trust companies report significantly lower stress levels, higher energy at work, and greater overall satisfaction (“Authentic Leadership: What it is and Why it’s important”, Harvard Business School, Dec 2019).

Transparency

One of the key ways authentic leadership fosters trust is through transparent communication — both from the leader themselves but also from the organization as a whole. Leaders who are open about their decisions, challenges and successes create a culture of honesty and integrity. This openness not only builds trust but also encourages employees to be more forthcoming with their own ideas and concerns. As a result, the organization becomes more collaborative and innovative.

Empathy Builds Connections

Empathy

Leaders who genuinely care about their employees’ well-being and development are more likely to earn this critical trust and loyalty. Empathy involves understanding and addressing the needs and concerns of employees, which in turn fosters a supportive and inclusive work environment.

Self-awareness

To cultivate authenticity, leaders must first develop self-awareness — understanding their own strengths, weaknesses, values, and motivations. Self-aware leaders are better equipped to lead with integrity and make decisions that align with their core values, which in turn suggests they are more likely to be confident, purposeful, and value-driven.

Vulnerability

Being Vulnerable with Your Team Can Help Build Trust

Another strategy for cultivating authenticity is to practice vulnerability. Leaders who are willing to admit their mistakes and learn from them demonstrate humility and openness. This vulnerability can help to build trust, as employees see their leaders as relatable and human.

Consistency

Leaders must consistently act in ways that reflect their values and principles. This helps to build credibility, as employees know what to expect from their leaders and can rely on them to act with integrity. Consistent behavior, especially during the difficult times, reinforces the trust that has been built through transparent communication and empathetic leadership.

Strong Relationships

Finally, authentic leaders focus on building strong relationships. This involves taking the time to understand each team member’s unique strengths, challenges, and aspirations. By fostering these relationships, leaders can create a sense of unity and shared purpose within the organization. This approach not only builds trust but also enhances team cohesion and performance.

This is The Way

This is The Way

We are in a time of tumultuous political and social change — a time when strong, effective leadership is even more critical.

The effective leader understands that now, more than ever, being authentic and trusted is the way to improvement. By being self-aware, transparent, empathetic, and consistent, we cultivate an environment where employees feel valued, respected, and motivated — key requirements for an engaged work force and a thriving educational environment.

Emotional Intelligence: A Critical Component to Effective Leadership

/ Dave Eberwein / Leave a comment

In today’s ever-evolving K-12 landscape, system leaders need to be competent in more than instructional leadership and day-to-day operations. Effective leaders require an understanding of human emotions and the ability to navigate complex interpersonal dynamics.

Being in the ‘people business’ it is critical for our leaders to have an Emotional Intelligence as much as it is critical for them to be outstanding educators.

Emotional Intelligence (EI): the ability to recognize, understand, and manage our own emotions, as well as the emotions of others.

Being Aware of One’s Own Emotional Triggers is Key to a High EI

In leadership, EI is a critical component that can significantly impact our collective performance, and most importantly employee and student satisfaction. EI will make-or-break your system. If our leaders are attuned to themselves and others, our system will run more smoothly and effectively. Problem solving becomes better as do the resulting solutions.

Let me explain …

At its core, Emotional Intelligence is about self-awareness. Leaders with high EI are acutely aware of their own emotional states and how these states affect their thoughts and behaviors. This self-awareness doesn’t make the EI aware person immune from errors, but it does provide them with the ability to be reflective and hopefully more effective. EI allows them to maintain control over their emotions, even in stressful situations, to make more rational decisions. By understanding their own emotional triggers, leaders can avoid reactive behaviors that might negatively impact their team. Having a high EI does not mean that one will never become upset when triggered, but it does mean that if you are a person with high EI you can recognize your triggers and minimize your emotional responses.

Leading Others Involves Understanding their Concerns

One of the key benefits of Emotional Intelligence is the ability to build and maintain strong relationships. Leaders with high EI are skilled at empathizing with their team, understanding their perspectives, and addressing their concerns. This empathy fosters a sense of trust and respect, which is essential for effective collaboration and teamwork. When employees feel understood and valued, they are more likely to be engaged and motivated. The high EI leader is also genuine in their empathy and understanding — they are believable and transparent.

Effective communication is a hallmark of great leadership, and emotional intelligence plays a crucial role in this area as well. Leaders with high EI are adept at both verbal and non-verbal communication. They can read body language, tone of voice, and other subtle cues to gauge how their messages are being received. This ability to ‘read the room’ enables them to adjust their communication style to better connect with their audience, whether it’s delivering feedback, resolving conflicts, or providing an inspirational address.

Leaders with high EI understand what drives their team members and can tailor their leadership approach to meet those needs. They recognize and celebrate individual and team achievements, provide constructive feedback, and create a positive and supportive work environment. This ability to connect with and inspire their team is what can drive a school district towards better student outcomes.

As Superintendent, I realize that we can only get better when our team believes that they are a part of something bigger — that they play an important role in our future and that their leadership is attuned to their needs.

An Emotionally Responsive Culture is Key to Student Success

A positive work environment is essential for employee well-being and organizational success. Effective leaders play a pivotal role in creating and maintaining such an environment. They are aware of the emotional climate in their workplace and take proactive steps to address any issues that may arise. By promoting a culture of openness, respect, and inclusivity, they can ensure that employees feel safe and supported. They demonstrate the behaviors and attitudes they expect from their team such as empathy, resilience, and integrity. By modeling these qualities, they set a standard for their team to follow and create a culture of emotional intelligence within the organization.

I am fortunate to be in a school district that is large enough for us to do some creative things, yet small enough for me to make personal connections with many of our staff. Celebrating personal milestones, pulling the entire school board office together for a staff meeting, or writing personalized notes are just a few of the ways to make connections to ensure that our team is acknowledged, included and respected.

Going Down The Rabbit Hole

/ Dave Eberwein / Leave a comment

Lately, I’m finding myself using the metaphor of being careful to not to fall ‘Down the Rabbit Hole‘. And while I’m not a particular fan of Alice in Wonderland, I do appreciate the symbolism of the story.

For me, the Rabbit Hole represents a warning. A warning for myself (and others) to not be pulled into that space of distraction where others may want to take you.

Alice and the Rabbit Hole

What is a Rabbit Hole? Its reference goes back to Alice being attracted to the hole in the ground and then falling head over heals into a new world of amazement and distraction.

In the real world, Rabbit Holes are sometimes referenced when we see something that pulls us away from the task at hand. I reference the concept when I see things such as questions or statements that may even seem somewhat related to the topic, but in reality, they are meant to pull us away from the important conversation or task in front of us.

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