The Staircase between the Balcony and the Dance Floor! A Reflection on Trust, Self-Care and Collaboration.

 

This week has truly been a whirlwind of emotions. It began with the exciting and nerve-wracking process of selling our home and purchasing a new one, a journey filled with anticipation and hope for the future. However, amidst this excitement, life threw a curveball with the passing of my Aunty and Godmother. Saying goodbye to her at her funeral was a sombre, reflective and celebratory moment, reminding me of the fragility and unpredictability of life.

Professionally, this week presented its own set of challenges. As the new guy, in the role of Head of Junior School, I found myself grappling with weighty decisions that would have significant impacts on others. As a leader and teacher, the responsibility weighed heavily on me as I am continuing to get to know my team and the cultural context of my school. These experiences highlighted the nuanced and multifaceted nature of leadership roles, serving as poignant reminders of life's complexities and the weight of responsibility they entail.

It also stirred memories of my time as a classroom teacher, where conversations with parents and carers about their children's learning needs often evoked a mix of emotions. These moments were a reminder of the deep connection we have with our students and their families, and the profound impact we can have on their lives.

This week, I pause my pedagogical series of writing to address a pertinent concern that many educators face at this point of the term. It is a reminder to myself and to others that it is okay to take a step back, to pause, and to breathe. This post is written from the heart and is a call to embrace our vulnerabilities, to lean into our emotions, and to seek support when needed. By nurturing ourselves, we can better nurture and build trust with those around us, creating a ripple effect of kindness and compassion.

Perspective and Trust

During moments of stress and disappointment, our minds can become clouded with negative thoughts, causing us to doubt our abilities and feel overwhelmed by the challenges we face. It's easy to get caught up in these feelings of inadequacy, imposter syndrome or believing that we are not capable of handling the situation. However, if we can take a step back and look at the bigger picture, we may begin to see things differently.

Taking a step back allows us to gain perspective and see that there are often forces at work beyond our control that are shaping our experiences. These forces may be guiding us towards personal growth, helping us develop resilience, or even leading us towards opportunities we may not have otherwise considered. By identifying that these challenges are part of a larger, more meaningful journey, we can begin to shift our mindset from one of self-doubt to one of acceptance and understanding.

In doing so, we can begin to see that these challenges are not meant to break us but to build us up, making us stronger, more compassionate individuals. They are an integral part of our journey towards self-discovery and personal fulfilment.

Embracing a broader view in our professional and personal lives demands a fundamental trust in ourselves and in the intentions of others. It's an acknowledgment that while we all make mistakes and are imperfect beings, our intentions are generally not malicious. This trust allows us to approach challenges with a more open mind and heart, fostering collaboration and understanding.

Within the educational system, this trust is crucial. Teachers, leaders, and staff must trust each other to work together effectively, knowing that everyone is working towards the same goal of improving the system for the benefit of students. This trust also extends to students, who must feel valued and respected, understanding the importance of their role in shaping society.

When trust is present, it creates a supportive environment where everyone feels empowered to contribute their ideas and perspectives. It allows for constructive dialogue and problem-solving, leading to innovative solutions and positive change. Trust also enables us to navigate difficult situations with more empathy and compassion, recognising that everyone is doing their best with the resources and knowledge they have. Ultimately, trust is the foundation upon which strong relationships and thriving communities are built.

As I reflect on these experiences this week, I am reminded of the power of perspective and trust. By taking a step back and seeing the bigger picture, we can begin to understand that challenges are not meant to break us but to build us up. Trusting in ourselves and in the intentions of others allows us to approach challenges with empathy and compassion, fostering collaboration and understanding.

Self-care

Beyond trust, practising self-kindness and prioritising self-care are crucial aspects of maintaining wellbeing, particularly during challenging times. It entails being attuned to our own needs and responding to them with compassion and understanding. This means recognising when we are feeling overwhelmed or depleted and taking the necessary steps to address these feelings.

One important aspect of self-care is knowing when to pause and take a break. In our fast-paced world of education, it can be easy to push ourselves too hard, leading to burnout and exhaustion. By spotting when we need to step back and recharge, we can prevent these negative outcomes and maintain our overall wellbeing.

Setting healthy boundaries is another key component of self-care. This involves knowing our limits and communicating them effectively to others. By setting boundaries, we can protect our time and energy, ensuring that we are able to focus on what truly matters to us.

Seeking support when necessary is also essential for self-care. We all face challenges in life, and it is okay to ask for help when we need it. Whether it's talking to a friend, family member, or professional, reaching out for support can provide us with the strength and perspective we need to navigate difficult situations.

There is no doubt that practising self-care is essential for maintaining wellbeing, particularly during challenging times. It involves being attuned to our own needs, setting healthy boundaries, and seeking support when necessary. By prioritising self-care, we can better care for ourselves and others, creating a ripple effect of kindness and compassion.

Collaborative Effort

While self-care is important on an individual level, it is also important to recognise that supporting teachers requires a collaborative effort. This involves not only providing them with the resources and guidance they need to succeed but also creating a supportive environment where they feel valued and empowered.

This collaborative effort should involve all stakeholders, including government, schools, leaders, staff, students, and the wider community. By working together and hearing the collective voice, we can create a culture that honours and supports the entire educational community.

Ultimately, supporting teachers and creating a positive educational environment requires a collaborative effort. By working together, we can create a culture that honours and supports the entire educational community, ensuring that everyone feels valued and empowered to contribute their ideas and perspectives.

The Staircase

Despite the ups and downs of this week, there were also opportunities to intentionally be refreshed. At the IPSHA NSW Term 1 meeting, I had the privilege to cross paths with Tracey Ezard. We have spoken many times on social media; however, this was our first chance to meet face to face. 

She discussed the importance for leaders to reflect on their practices to build capacity. Tracey emphasised the impact of curiosity on shaping our worldview and the need to bridge the gap (a staircase) between observation (the balcony) and action (the dance floor). Context and connection were highlighted as essential for building trust which forms as the staircase. Leaders therefore are cultural and emotional architects. Like architects who design and build structures, leaders design and cultivate the cultural and emotional environment within which their teams operate.

As cultural architects, we establish the values, norms, and behaviours that define our schools culture. We set the tone for how teachers, students, staff and parents interact, communicate, and collaborate. By modelling desired behaviours and fostering a positive work environment, we can influence the culture to align with the goals and values of the school.

As emotional architects, we shape the emotional experiences of individuals within our learning communities. Collaboratively, we can create supportive and empathetic environments that promote wellbeing and psychological safety. As we recognise and address the emotional needs of their team members, we enhance morale, motivation, and overall performance. This was highlighted by Tracey’s statement about schools not being able to achieve results without emotional connection and trust was something to note. 

She also stressed the need to design culture deliberately rather than accepting default culture. Through ferocious warmth leaders walk the tightrope that balances head (results) and heart (emotions). This requires courage, authenticity, connection, and expansive thinking. As we engage in quality conversations, learning debates that question and disrupt unhelpful cultures, we support our team to go on a professional cycle of inquiry. As a result, we create a loop of growth conversations where all stakeholders are active participants. 

For me, Tracey’s presentation reinforced the need for me to be comfortable with vulnerability so that I can identify when help and support are needed in my team and have the courage to ask others when I require it. 

The event provided a valuable chance to connect or reconnect with other like minded leaders including Sue Fluro, Chris Wyatt, Kate Bradley, Andrew Coote, Sarah Black, Tamasin Lowe, Nicole Finch, James Lister, Melissa Watters, Darren Corke and Adam Larby. I am pleased that the leadership journey to balance head and heart, and observation and action is one that I am not alone in.

To conclude the week, my school hosted its school community fete and open day. This reminded me of the profound impact gatherings such as these have on our students and parents. These events not only highlight our commitment as educators to engage with our broader community but show our dedication as a team. I appreciated my team's support and proactive nature and was grateful for their willingness to sacrifice part of their weekend. Our journey as educators and learners is one of shared experiences and mutual support. Together, we create an environment where vulnerability and compassion are embraced, leading to deep connections, meaningful growth and substantive learning.

To that end, as we journey through life's challenges, I would encourage us to do so with grace and compassion, embracing each experience as an opportunity for growth and understanding. By building trust, practising self-care, and promoting collaborative effort we can strive for continuous improvement, leading to limitless achievement and creating a brighter future for ourselves and those around us.

Stay the Course!