International Schools and the Leadership Basics

Leadership Basics – Don’t forget them!

I had a colleague book a special meeting with me recently with an aim to contribute and to help solve some problems. I appreciated it and listened carefully to their analysis and possible solutions.

The conversation included lots of discussion about leadership theory, values and beliefs. Strategies to motivate and ways to create alignment to vision and values.

I hope I was polite before I then went on to say “but they are in a really bad place right now.”

The situation loosely connected to a group of staff who were very negative and stressed. I shared my opinion and listed my description of challenges they have been facing recently.

“The pandemic has been stressful for everyone. Limited access to family. Many lifestyle restrictions. Fears about personal health. Financial pressures. Massive changes to the workplace. Let’s have the conversations about leadership, strategic planning, vision, values and mission but first we need to help people find solid ground. Maybe we need to focus on ways we can support these key challenges, if we can.”

Let’s remember Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. It is a motivational theory in psychology comprising of five levels of human needs that are considered hierarchical and in a pyramid. The leadership basics should always begin with this.

Without ever disregarding genuine problems, as well as effective and strategic solutions we must remember the basics. Physiological and safety needs come first. Personal security, health (both physical and mental) as well as financial matters significantly influence our very basic mindset and well being.

If people’s foundations are not strong, their professional lives are rocky.

Leadership basics are sometimes quite simple

Leadership basics include human needs being met first. Sometimes there are more things happening in people’s lives than you may realise. It can be what people are not saying. Their minds might be swimming with stresses that have little to do with the workplace. It is really challenging for people to focus on satisfying higher needs such as self actualisation when basic needs are challenged.

Sometimes it is exactly the right time to relax and focus on the very basics, give people a second chance and weather out the storm.

Grab a cup of coffee and switch off from work.

Leadership basics includes a focus on the people. The real person. The real human needs that are being challenged right now.

Lets focus on the leadership basics.

If you want to learn more about the steps required to set up a school or an international school franchise check out some of our other articles:

– Open a School – 10 Things to Consider

– Steps to Setting Up a New School

– 10 Steps and Articles on How to Set Up a New School

– GSE International School Franchise Models

For some great regular updates on the international education industry we also monitor PIE

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GSE set up schools in all areas of the world

CEO and Education Expert Greg Parry

Internationally renowned for his expertise in education leadership, Greg Parry’s vast experience includes leadership of projects for education institutions throughout Australia, the Middle East, the United States, India, Indonesia, Malaysia and China. Recognised for his numerous contributions in the education arena, Greg has received the Ministers Award for Excellence in School Leadership based on improvements in school performance and a range of successful principal training and leadership development programs, as well as the School of Excellence Award for Industry/School Partnerships and the School of Excellence Award for Technology Innovation. His company GSE (Global Services in Education) has been recognised as having the Best Global Brand in International Education in 2015 and 2016.

Considered one of the premier experts in his profession, Greg has trained teachers and principals throughout the world in areas such as critical thinking, language development and leadership. His expertise in school start up projects, leadership and curriculum development, has made him a sought after authority in these discipline.

www.gsineducation.com

Global Services in Education set up and operate schools in all parts of the world. Governed by a philosophy of global citizenship, every member of the GSE team shares a passion to help shape international education and student achievement through inspiration and collaboration.
Our goal is to meet the highest objectives of every school, teacher, student and parent, with an unwavering dedication to quality education, shared ideals and intercultural perspectives.