BTS Spark

Curiosity is a mindset of exceptional school leaders. They have a genuine interest in understanding the people around them and the circumstances of a situation. Before making decisions, they seek out diverse perspectives, they try on different points of view, and they encourage critical thinking, all without judgment. A curious mindset thrives in psychologically safe environments and promotes a more inclusive and human-centered school. Our coachees share that they needed the coaching support to remove the roadblocks preventing a curious mindset and by doing so have transformed their leadership. #educationalleadership #principalsschools #coaching #leadership 

One of the most compelling forms of communication is storytelling. Storytelling is universal and natural. Everyone is a storyteller. Yet, during coaching sessions, #schoolleaders share with us that they don’t tell stories often or feel they don’t know how to be an effective storyteller. A key element in storytelling is vulnerability, both on the part of the storyteller – who must open a part of themselves to share a story in a personal way – and on the part of the listener, who must open themselves up emotionally to connect with the story. Our coachees learn not only how to tell a powerful story, but also how to remove the blocks preventing them from being vulnerable as leaders. After their coaching, they share how stories have transformed their communication with stakeholders and built connection throughout the community. #educationalleadership #principalsschools #coaching #leadership

School leaders struggle to let go of a sense of control when it comes to big difficult problems. Sometimes, they try to control the uncontrollable. Other times, they throw up their hands and give up because they don’t see a viable path to success. When school leaders explore and engage their ‘influencer’ mindset, they are able to stay with big, sticky challenges. One of the main shifts that occurs in #schoolleaders is their mindset from problem-solvers to progress-makers. They learn about the social dynamics of influence and how to use their interpersonal skills to draw out and benefit from the collective thinking and intelligence of all stakeholders. #educationalleadership #principalsschools #coaching #leadership 

🎙️ New Podcast Alert! Professional Learnings NSWPPA Educational Leadership presents an insightful discussion on Embracing MESSY Leadership with Rosie O'Connor. Dive into transformative strategies for school leaders and discover how embracing the "messy" aspects of leadership can drive real change in education. 🚀 Don't miss out—listen now on your favorite podcast platform! 🎧 🔗 Tune in via your favourite podcast platform or directly via: https://lnkd.in/gQkSRyGg #Leadership #EducationalLeadership #SchoolLeaders #Podcast #MessyLeadership #NSWPPA #spotifypodcast #applepodcasts #buzzsprout Buzzsprout Rosie Connor BTS Spark

After all the Zoom and Team meetings it was fantastic to finally get together in Kangaroo Valleu with the BTS Spark regional heads last week. We had a really productive five days, packed full of strategy and planning meetings (and got to feed the wombats, wallaroos and wallabies too!).

Innovation and experimentation can feel scary in schools, especially since the school year is short and learning goals are established. For many #schoolleaders, innovation and experimentation are practices that carry a stereotype of high risk and high failure, which feels inappropriate when children’s lives are involved. The fear of “what if this new thing doesn’t work”, keeps schools stagnant and slow to evolve, which also has long-term consequences. The antidote to this fear is disciplined experimentation. School leaders are coached on how to take intelligent risks, quickly assess data, and pivot as the experiment unfolds. They share with us that this process enables them to tackle learning and instruction areas that need attention while also empowering teachers to try new things in their classrooms. School leaders share that coaching helped them not only with the process but also the mindset needed to make experimentation a welcomed process in their schools. #educationalleadership #principalsschools #coaching #leadership 

As a non-profit leader, your passion for giving back drives your work. In the pursuit of your organization's mission, however, it's easy to overlook the impact that investing in your own leadership growth might amplify this passion and further your organization's vision. In our latest blog, Sean Slade, Head of Spark, explores how a mindset makeover can transform you into an outstanding leader. By focusing on your development, you not only strengthen your ability to lead but also increase your organization's impact and create lasting change. Discover how prioritizing your growth can help you achieve your mission more effectively. Read it now: https://bit.ly/3KXo3MP #StrategyMadePersonal #GivingBack #NonProfitLeader #MindsetMakeover #LeadershipDevelopment #LeadershipSkills #LeadershipMindset

How are today’s top education leaders transforming challenges into opportunities? Discover their secrets in "Embracing MESSY Leadership," the latest release from BTS Spark that’s quickly becoming a must-read in education leadership. Drawing from our experience coaching over 20,000 school leaders, this book offers practical tools to tackle the complexities of today’s leadership challenges. In its first week, it’s already reached 15,000 leaders globally, with rave reviews from principals. Want to learn more? Join co-authors Alyssa Gallagher and Rosie Connor at their exclusive book launch event at our BTS NY office on September 24th during United Nations Week! 📚 Order your copy now: https://lnkd.in/ezUMWRdH

Is Imposter Syndrome built on a fallacy? https://lnkd.in/eqVcBKup Maybe our imposter syndrome has been based on an outdated model of leadership. Maybe we should start with creating a vision for the type of leader we strive to become. Maybe we should start with changing (or at least scrutinizing) what kind of a leader we want to be before we judge ourselves against it? As you walk into a new situation, a new environment, or a new role, consider that it may not be your competencies and capabilities that are the fallacy, but rather the model you are basing it on.   Read more from Alyssa Gallagher, Max Cooke, and Sean Slade in eSchool News #educationalleadership #humanleadership #btsspark

Confidence is often defined as a feeling or belief that one can rely on someone or something. When school leaders talk to their coaches, they share that they want the stakeholders in their school to have confidence in them. Yet, controlling how others respond to your actions is impossible, causing our coachees to feel self-doubt and the need to please everyone. Self-doubt and people-pleasing are challenging mindsets for #schoolleaders who need to make hundreds of decisions a day. When our coachees work with our coaches around this topic of confidence, they spend time exploring four different sources of confidence so they can show up consistently and powerfully for their school communities. #educationalleadership #principalsschools #coaching #leadership