Leaning Into Your Humanity: Imperatives for School Leaders in Fall 2020
/“While we are all thinking about how children and teens will respond to this stressful situation, they tend to react based on the actions of the adults around them.... Educators and school personnel have an opportunity to positively impact students, but only if they take care of themselves first.”
Right now, educators across the country are beginning a year of unknowns, managing unprecedented risks for themselves, their colleagues, their students, and families. This Fall, it is essential for school leaders to support teachers and staff members to feel heard, seen and recognized as human beings as they navigate these challenges. Humanity and emotional intelligence are both sorely needed right now from leadership amidst the challenges of transitioning to and moderating virtual learning. During this Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, and Ambiguous (VUCA) moment in time, our team will be sharing concrete and critical ways for leaders to meet the needs of their communities and cultivate positive staff culture.
The stress and uncertainty we are all experiencing these days is unprecedented. We cannot underestimate the complexity of our challenges nor the need for empathy-based practices to help our teams find their courage and fortitude. We must support staff by ensuring their social and emotional wellbeing. School leaders can emphasize individual relationships with staff members to promote emotional safety. Strong, trusting relationships are essential for giving educators the confidence and support system to step out of their comfort zones, take risks, and grow to handle new challenges.
- Have one-on-one video, phone, or outside check-ins with all direct team members
- Ask how each individual is doing, listen and empathize
- Be willing to share first. Demonstrate personal vulnerability to give others permission to share
- During check-ins, name an appreciation about the person and a strength in their work
