Welcome to this CLF PD platform post on the importance of facing outward and how it contributes to effective leadership. The sections below will progressively immerse you deeper into the different areas and guide you to reflect on your current practice and any areas for development.
Introduction
Effective leaders continue to develop their knowledge and understanding by showing a Commitment to professional knowledge, learning and development outside of the specialism. These leaders proactively engage in reflective practice where serious thought and consideration are given to the actions of themselves and others and the resulting outcomes. These reflections are done in the action and on the action so as to identify areas of strength and development. Leaders gain additional perspectives on challenges and issues by maintaining a wide personal learning network that stretches both geographically and into other domains and contexts.
As individuals, we are stronger together and leaders recognise this by actively engaging in Partnerships, networks and collaboration. Leaders create formal partnerships with individuals and groups in order to gain mutual benefits and these partnerships must be carefully created, maintained and evaluated. Less formally, leaders also develop and maintain networks of people again in order to provide support to each other. These networks can be operational, personal or strategic and serve to increase the sharing of knowledge and expertise, develop skills, generate innovation and create collaborative opportunities. Leaders must also proactively engage with the wide range of stakeholders that exist within their Academy and across the trust, leveraging all of the mutual benefits that are available.
Involvement in partnerships and networks carries with it the responsibility for leaders to Positively represent the Trust. Leaders must ensure that their self-regulation allows them to role model the very best behaviours and the highest levels of professionalism. Their beliefs and attitudes should be a direct reflection of the culture of the trust and demonstrate clear alignment with our values and expectations.
Key Takeaways
Reflective Questions
