In this interview with Emma Turner, author of Be More Toddler: A Leadership Education From Our Little Learners (John Catt Educational), hear how her eyes were opened to the leadership qualities of young kids and how she determined that becoming more child-like in this way was the key to accessing her full career potential.
Turner reflects on feeling like an “accidental leader” at different times in her career, but notes how others identified her leadership potential, which encouraged her to think about leadership more intentionally. In her book, she attempts to “smash” the common model of leadership, with its assumption that there is only one type of leader, and instead advance the idea that there are numerous types of leadership that can make an impact. Leadership is about people, she says, and people who have a clear vision and care deeply about their colleagues and communities can become effective leaders, regardless of style.
As you listen through the interview, think through these questions to consider your own leadership journey:
• Do you feel like you’ve been encouraged to be a leader in your current role? If yes, what do you believe is your leadership style and what do you think is most effective about your style? If you haven’t been encouraged yet, how might you find more opportunities to lead?
• Turner writes that leadership is about setting the vision and sticking to it. What would this look like in your school?
• How can we ensure teamwork plays an important role in the vision of leadership in our schools? Who are the team members you’d like to collaborate with in leading new initiatives?
• What does it mean to you to “find your voice” within your classroom, school, or district? Do you feel like you have truly found your unique voice, or is this something that is always evolving?
Learn more about Emma Turner’s book, Be More Toddler, and other great John Catt Educational publications by visiting us.johncattbookshop.com
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