by Andy Rodford
Principals act as the guiding force in educational institutions and are often expected to embody energized leadership for numerous reasons. An energized principal is seen to set an example, inspiring enthusiasm, fostering innovation, and cultivating a culture of continuous growth and improvement. They are presumed to be the steward of the school’s vision, motivation, and morale, shaping the educational landscape. Their dynamism is thought to become contagious, encouraging staff and students to push boundaries, embrace change, and pursue excellence. In a role where guidance and inspiration are paramount, an energized principal can be a catalyst, propelling the entire school community toward success. I don’t know about you, but I’m exhausted just reading about these expectations.
As educators we see each student as unique and work to harness what motivates that child to help them fulfill their potential. But how often do we turn the mirror on ourselves to understand what it is that makes us thrive? One of the things that seasoned principals know well is that when we work on things that energize us, we bring enduring power to our practice. With that said, what if we could name these parts of ourselves, so that we can harness and explore it with others in our school? More than ever, principals and educators need easily implementable strategies to support their own well-being and success, as well as that of others.
Enter the Poet. Understanding your Poet is central to harnessing your principal superpowers and, in turn, to guide and develop your team’s Captains and Poets. Our inner Poets are the source of our imagination, our values, what is in our hearts, our aspirations, our creativity, our sensory experiences, and our intuition. Each of our Poets also has a main trait with which they lead, like creativity, empathy, passion, or a quiet knowing.
This principal balancing act is easier said than done, as team development takes tremendous energy and continuous effort to manage trust and to move toward shared goals and values. As on a plane, when the airbag instructions are asserted to put on your own mask before helping others, knowing how to recharge your Poet is critical to supporting your Captain and the other poets on your team. For example, as an extrovert, social interactions are the ultimate energy source for my Poet, charging me up like a human battery. Unlike my introverted friends and colleagues who recharge through alone-time or quiet reflection, social gatherings, events, standing in the hallway during class changes or even a casual coffee catch-up are my personal outlets for recharging. The energy boost I get from being around people is unparalleled. My Poet, however, is not just about the buzz of small talk or surface-level interactions; it’s the dynamic exchange of ideas, emotions, and laughter that invigorates me. In fact, the more I can put my Poet in the forefront of who I am and what I do, the more energized and authentic I feel in the world. And the more impact I have as a leader.
Knowing your Poet helps you understand your strengths and limitations and tap into the collective Poets in your midst, in ways that compliment and amplify your strengths. Some Poets are reflective in nature, contribute thoughtful insights, or foster a culture of care. Others infuse passion into the team dynamic, promote open communications, collaboration, or creative thinking. You can readily see how these complementary dispositions have the potential to create a well-rounded educational team.
Instead of shouldering the weight of being a ‘super-principal’, in the dynamic realm of education, more realistic goals could be to guide the unearthing of potential, to inspire others and to foster the harmonious connection of Poets within your teaching and learning community. All Poets have unique contributions that, when balanced effectively, create a group harmony that provides a rich tapestry of strengths that collectively propels a team toward success, by tapping into what fuels them. In fact, the shared excitement from a team of engaged and diverse Poets is often an unparalleled source of inspiration.
To foster an inclusive atmosphere, principals can successfully implement various strategies by creating balanced meetings that allow for both collaborative group work and individual reflective time, which caters to a myriad of Poets. Rotating leadership roles within groups ensures that all Poet types have opportunities to lead (and follow) and contribute according to their strengths. Principals can also encourage flexible participation, allowing team members to choose between group discussions and written reflections, enabling Poets to contribute comfortably, just the way we do for our students.
An open-door policy, public and private opportunities to share and provide feedback and surveys, all engage Poets in ways they feel comfortable expressing their preferences and ideas, thus creating a balanced ecosystem. In my case, walking around the school each day also allows me to connect with Poets in their respective comfort zones, regarding school issues, opportunities, and decision-making processes, including them in the evolution of their teaching and learning experiences.
Ultimately, a harmonious balance between Poets within a school setting creates a culture of understanding that enables all to flourish. It isn’t just about ensuring equal opportunities, but instead celebrating and harnessing the diverse strengths each Poet brings. Educating both staff and students about the attributes and value of diverse Poets, helps foster an environment where everyone is respected for their unique compilation of strengths. It’s about principals cultivating an environment where the inner Poet feels seen, heard, valued and inspired to bring their gifts forward. When these unique strengths, orientations, and aspirations are appreciated and integrated, it leads to a more enriched, vibrant and engaged learning community.
As a principal or school leader, how well do you know your inner Poet, their characteristics and drivers, and, how they can be best leveraged to bring your most authentic, energized leadership to your practice? It all starts with you.
As a first step, try reconnecting with your younger Poet here: www.captainsandpoets.com/video
Andy Rodford is the Principal of Venture Gained Consulting and works with schools, camps, businesses and leaders across North America to elevate their impact. As an experienced educator of 30 years he has led leadership and experiential workshops in the fields of education and organized camps focusing on programming, leadership development and strategic planning. Andy was formally the Deputy Head and Head of School at St. Michaels University School in Victoria, BC and, prior to that, was Head of School at Kempenfelt Bay School in Barrie, and held other senior leadership roles at Brentwood College School, Albert College and as the Director of Onondaga Camp, a large outdoor education centre and summer camp.