Ways to Include Teachers in Leadership

As leaders, our main job is to grow as many leaders as we can in our community. In a school, that includes our teachers and our students. In leadership, leaders sometimes feel that they are alone when actually there is a whole community of leaders who are at the door just waiting to be invited in. We just have to see them and open that door.

There are many ways that a leader can open the door and be intentional about growing an army of leaders. Set up opportunities for your community to show that they are interested in becoming a leader. But also keep in mind that not all people want to be leaders. This was a mistake that I made a long time ago.

I didn’t realize that not all people want to be leaders. I didn’t realize that we need all types of people. We need the leaders who will step up and lead through their voice and through pushing others and challenging them. However, we also need the leaders who are quieter and prefer it that way. They are the ones who lead from the back of the room, think things through, and add their ideas in a more subtle way. I read the book called Quiet; The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking, by Susan Cain and it was so powerful in recognizing the impact of noticing all types of leadership styles and the way people contribute. Once I realized this, it made a huge impact in how I lead. I am much more aware and know more about how to honour all types of leadership styles.

In order to be invitational, one has to open the door for all types of leaders to enter. Listening and watching are some of the best ways to do that. Sit with the crowd and notice who is doing the talking, who is doing the listening, who is asking questions, who is disengaging, etc. Next, make a point of having private conversations with those types of leaders to find out what intrigues them or what they need.

Set up meetings or activities where it invites people to step up and contribute in their own way. Our leadership team has built in a common prep between grade teams once a week that is connected to a lunch hour so they can meet weekly. Build in times for the extrovert leaders to shine through discussion, presentations, leading PDs, team teaching, coaching, etc. Make space for the introvert leaders to contribute through reflection, smaller group conversations, written reflections, one on one coaching for their colleagues, one on one meetings with you to share their ideas, etc. These are all ways that let people know that you are looking to grow the culture through their contributions. This will provide value to them because they know you are listening and taking action on their ideas. They know what is in it for them so they will engage more and take on more leadership.

Another way to grow your leaders in your community is to get them doing more of the thinking and the work. In meetings, instead of you doing all of the talking and presenting, break them out into smaller groups to research, reflect, connect, and project. You will be amazed at how you will hear more and more voices come out because they feel more comfortable in a smaller group. You will also have more productivity and engagement.

Now that you are seeing your leaders and inviting their leadership styles to the table, it is important to set up ways for them to learn more about leadership and not just always about curriculum. or to do lists. Give them opportunities to collaborate and learn about leadership strategies. This will light them up because you are providing ways for them. to step out into the world and contribute rather than always being the receiver of information.

I have come up with a formula that helps new leaders get traction and build momentum within their meetings with their teams. The formula consists of:

1. Prioritize a problem/learning focus – This is where the leader brainstorms with the team for five minutes. They write down all of the things they want to fix or get traction on. Next, they prioritize the top problem.
2. Brainstorm solutions – The leader leads them through a brainstorm session again on possible solutions. This could be done independently or as a whole group.
3. Choose top three solutions and set them as mile markers – The leader will have the group choose the top three solutions ensuring that the solutions are actions and not norms. Being too lofty and broad doesn’t provide clarity or give them a defined, specific action to go do.
4. Decide the first action – the leader will work with the team to decide the first action from the three they had previously chosen.
5. Practice that action multiple times before the next meeting – the leader sets the expectation that the team will go back and practice that action multiple times before the next meeting.
6. Gather evidence of impact – The leader will also set the expectation that while the team practices the action, they will gather evidence of it with the intention to teach the other team members at the next meeting. The evidence could be pictures, videos, lesson plans, student samples, team teaching,etc.
7. Teach each other the evidence of impact – each team member will have a chance at the next meeting to bring forth how the action went. The leader and team will decide if the action has helped to solve the problem. If it has they will repeat the formula at step one brainstorming a new problem or next step. If they have not solved the problem, they will perhaps stick with that first action or go onto the second action that they had chosen in step number 3.
8. Repeat the process for a different problem, spend more time with the same action, or move onto the second action.

This formula is meant to be repeated at every meeting and will provide clarity, momentum, and finally some traction towards a specific goal. It allows them to focus on one thing at a time rather than trying to be too broad and not get anything done. It provides a solution based focus vs. a problem based focus. It kicks the team into action to go deep with the time that they have together. The structure always stays the same but the goals and actions may shift according to their needs.

Everyone has something to contribute to this world and we need as many leaders and contributors as we can to turn this world around. It all starts with leaders growing leaders.

As the Adina Silvestri quote states,

“Be around the light bringers, the magic makers, the world shifters, the game shakers. They challenge you, break you open, uplift + expand you. They don’t let you play small with your life.”

If we want magic makers, world shifters, and light bringers, leaders have to invite them to the table and teach them how to lead.

Download my FREE guide that shows you HOW TO ENGAGE YOUR TRIBE!

AND….

And…if you have kids or want to use a 10 minute podcast in your classrooms, check out our Even If You Miss podcast – a wellness podcast by kids for kids!