WWL: 3. Interviewing for a Leadership Position

Essential Qualities

I really want to be at a school that puts the WHOLE student first. In order accomplish that, the adults in the building have to also be taken care of, valued, and appreciated as well.

• Does everything they can so that every child is successful.
  • Knowing success looks different and students needs are considered
• Supports teachers to grow and gives space to learn.
• Positive culture that values supporting one another.
  • Egos are extremely limited and it’s not a 1 person show.
• Leadership opportunities to grow other leaders.
• TRUST that goes in every direction:
  • Leadership
  • Educators
  • Students
  • Parents
  • Community
• Open communication and transparency with stakeholders that is honest and frequent.
• Meeting people where they are and growing along side them.
• Clear, shared vision that everyone is moving forward.
• Professional development opportunities that are valuable.
  • Not all PD is created equal!
• Operated with integrity and ethical practices
• Politics of school are kept minimal and shared in a way to help move the school forward
• Accountability from all stakeholders
  • Board, HOS, Admin, Educators, Students, Parents
    • If evaluations are a must, then it should be required of all because too often it’s only teachers and students (assessment) who have any sort of evaluation.
  • All stakeholders help and are responsible in creating an environment conducive to holistically educating students
  • Trust-based evaluations are emerging and that is encouraging but still think it should go both ways.
    • Dr. Shelly M Arneson and Craig Randall have been working on improving evaluations
• Respects perspectives and values opinions of educators
• Values diversity that is present in the curriculum
• Students and staff feel safe and have a sense of security
• Support and resources for inclusive education
• Students value and support one another
• Advocates social responsibility and community service

I am a huge prominent of the IB philosophy of education. “The International Baccalaureate® aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect.” An IB school doesn’t mean that they embrace these components and some non-IB schools work more in line and have a similar philosophy.

Glen Leibowitz article and image have been circulating on social media and it’s 100% spot on!

Terry Heick has some qualities he lists out for what makes a great school. I agree with most of them on his list. I also think that spectacular leadership is vital for schools to accomplish.

Perfect Partner

Deirdre Quinn’s description of a business partnership makes a brilliant observation, “Agree on it [decision], lock arms, and made it happen”. She goes on to state that Shun Yen Siu often stated, “It’s like a dragon boat and we are all rowing in the same direction”.

Schools need to be very strong in the mission and vision that isn’t dependent on who is in leadership. Too often ego in leadership takes away from the “dragon boat” vision to the “I” vision. Everyone person going into leadership for an organization should be moving that vision and mission forward to the common goal just like dragon boat races.

Deirdre goes on to talk about how leaders build confidence that others need in order to succeed. One’s team’s success is the leader’s success. That also means trusting and creating other leaders within the organization. She doesn’t believe that it is “me, it’s us”. She speaks highly of listening to her employees even though she ultimately makes the decision. Her board is her team, she listens to her team, and they together will make it work.

“Listen first and execute after being educated on what other people think is maybe a BETTER IDEA than I had or merge the two ideas together“.

Deirdre Quinn

Right Fit

Every single woman mentioned that finding the right fit for educational vision and mission that allows for authenticity is the highest priority. I couldn’t agree more! I had such good advice from my college days that interviews are two-way. When I am interviewing, I have questions prepared to help me understand more about the school’s mission, vision, and culture. I honestly wish interviews were broken down to give more opportunities for the interviewee to ask questions. Often it is is 45 minutes with maybe 5-15 minutes for questions or only 45 minutes if the interviewer doesn’t stop/interviewee takes longer answering, then there is no time left for questions.

I think this is most difficult process because I will have no idea until my feet are on the ground and it’s go time. Trusting my own instinct and valuing the opinion of those I trust immensely helps when determining if a school is the right fit for me and them.

Interviewers can gain so much insight into a person based on the questions they ask!

Allowing time for interviewee to ask thoughtful questions is important. In my last interview, I had 8 questions prepared and only got to ask 1.

• Research, research, research!
  • Vital in determining the right fit.
• View the history of the school.
• Follow them of social media to see the types of posts they make.
  • Remembering that SM is used to showcase their “best” and navigate their “brand” but it can showcase values of the school.
• Speak with employees and try to get a well-rounded view of the school.
  • Current employees who have been there for many years and can speak to the changes.
  • Previous employees who can talk about the reasons they left and how well they were supported in the process.
• Network with others who have experience working with people currently at the school.
  • Maybe they have worked with them previously or in another capacity but that insight can be very enlightening.

What I Am Bringing

I listed in the WWL #1 reflection some of the attributes I believe make me a strong leader. I think some of my strongest attributes are dedication, passionate, organization, and helpful. My philosophy is to meet people where they are grow with them. That requires trust, communication, hard conversations, and a strong relationship. One my areas of growth is compassionate hard conversations. I believe that hard conversations don’t need to be harsh, but I need more experience of having those conversations with adults. I really see myself more as a coach to guide someone to make progress. Authority is weird and tricky but should not be taken lightly either. I feel true leaders have the opportunity serve, inspire, and teach.

A leadership position still includes teaching!