Reflecting back on my six years as an administrator, here are the three things that I wish someone would have told me about being an effective leader. I am not entirely sure I would have listened or truly understood the context, as much of leadership growth comes from time and experience, however it would have given me a starting point when working with others and supporting in moving a school forward.

1. The power of listening (and questioning)! As a young leader it is easy to get wrapped up in thinking that you always need to be talking and sharing your ideas. Sometimes it comes down to credibility and wanting to make sure that everyone knows that you are knowledgeable and can get the job done. There is no doubt that at times this is necessary and effective in moving an initiative forward. I do believe, however, that truly effective leaders spend more time listening than talking. While listening we are helping to mold ideas together, allowing all members to have a voice, and building an environment of collaboration and involvement. Furthermore, by asking questions we are showing a genuine interest in the ideas of others and telling them that their ideas matter!

2. The collective idea – where did it originate? I have been in countless meetings where an idea is sprung and after rounds of dialogue, there is some type of consensus on an outcome and we are off to planning next steps. As a young leader we often want credit for our ideas (who am I kidding, most everyone wants credit for their ideas), however, it is important to appreciate and respect the process of getting there and realizing that a collective decision was made where everyone feels a part of the process. So, even if the initial idea was yours and the outcome was fairly similar, allow for the victory to be from the group and celebrate together. Even if it remains unsaid, people will recognize that it was indeed your idea and have respect for you and your role in the process.

3. Take time to understand the cultural context! International schools around the world have a wide variety of values, beliefs, behaviors, and expectations. Faculty and staff come from different backgrounds and are placed together to move a school forward in a collective direction. Even if you visit schools within a kilometer of one another, in any given city, they will have a completely different culture, feel, and environment. Effective cultural leadership requires a high level of experience, empathy, and emotional intelligence toward your surroundings and all members of the organization. Be sure to take the necessary time to value the diverse cultural backgrounds of all staff members, to reflect within new contexts, and to build personal and professional relationships.