FocusED: An educational leadership podcast that uncovers what is working in our schools.
TheSchoolHouse302
78 episodes
6 months ago
FocusED Show Notes with Guest Vicky Essebag
Vicky starts by defining “relationspaces” as the way that we bring ourselves to the spaces where we develop relationships.
Vicky tells us that we have preconceived notions about how we’re communicating and sometimes it’s effective and other times it’s not.
Vicky gives us an example of where our communication as teachers to students might be landing wrong in a way that only supports more misbehavior.
It’s better to minimize our noticing of the behaviors that are not desirable and maximize our noticing of the desired behaviors.
Solution-Focused is a strength-based approach. And, the future aspect of it asks the question, what does the person want?
Vicky says that success happens in small increments. Change happens gradually. Her advice is to take a few steps back when things aren’t going the way we want them to and then to become more inclusive.
She tells us that relationships have to be the foundation of everything we do and have to be prioritized as important in the minds of every leader.
Vicky explains that Solution-Focused has a premise that “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it; if it’s working, don’t change it; and if something is wrong, do something about it.”
Don’t miss what she says about future-oriented types of questions.
Vicky talked about a scenario and exercise that she did with students who were refusing to come to school, and they built hypothetical machines to help bring them back to school.
She talks about her own growth and a program she’s in right now to gain a certification that she wants for more international credibility.
Vicky says that the most important part about commuting with others is our presence.
We asked Vicky to give us some techniques for asking questions. She says that the best questions are open-ended and up to the person being asked to provide their answer versus searching for the right ones.
If we can inspire people with hope, why not. ~ Vicky Essebag
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FocusED Show Notes with Guest Vicky Essebag
Vicky starts by defining “relationspaces” as the way that we bring ourselves to the spaces where we develop relationships.
Vicky tells us that we have preconceived notions about how we’re communicating and sometimes it’s effective and other times it’s not.
Vicky gives us an example of where our communication as teachers to students might be landing wrong in a way that only supports more misbehavior.
It’s better to minimize our noticing of the behaviors that are not desirable and maximize our noticing of the desired behaviors.
Solution-Focused is a strength-based approach. And, the future aspect of it asks the question, what does the person want?
Vicky says that success happens in small increments. Change happens gradually. Her advice is to take a few steps back when things aren’t going the way we want them to and then to become more inclusive.
She tells us that relationships have to be the foundation of everything we do and have to be prioritized as important in the minds of every leader.
Vicky explains that Solution-Focused has a premise that “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it; if it’s working, don’t change it; and if something is wrong, do something about it.”
Don’t miss what she says about future-oriented types of questions.
Vicky talked about a scenario and exercise that she did with students who were refusing to come to school, and they built hypothetical machines to help bring them back to school.
She talks about her own growth and a program she’s in right now to gain a certification that she wants for more international credibility.
Vicky says that the most important part about commuting with others is our presence.
We asked Vicky to give us some techniques for asking questions. She says that the best questions are open-ended and up to the person being asked to provide their answer versus searching for the right ones.
If we can inspire people with hope, why not. ~ Vicky Essebag
FocusED: An educational leadership podcast that uncovers what is working in our schools.
25 minutes 9 seconds
1 year ago
MESSY Leadership with Alyssa Gallagher
MESSY Leadership with Alyssa Gallagher
This is Season 5, Episode 16 of FocusED, and it features our guest, Alyssa Gallagher; we discuss the meaning of MESSY leadership, myths about readiness for a role, the need for coaching for all leaders…and so much more.
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Alyssa Gallagher Brings a Tons of Experience to FocusED Listeners
Alyssa Gallagher is the Head of BTS Spark. America, an education author, leader, and speaker. She has twenty years of experience in the public education sector serving as a teacher, principal and most recently an assistant superintendent.
In addition to co-authoring MESSY Leadership for School Leaders, Alyssa has also co-authored two books on Design Thinking for leaders. Alyssa enjoys working with leaders to design strategies that leverage the capability, creativity and intelligence of everyone on their team.
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FocusED Show Notes with Alyssa Gallagher
Leadership isn’t about showing up to feel good. ~ Alyssa Gallagher
Alyssa tells us that MESSY is an acronym that comes from more than 20 thousand experiences coaching school leaders to uncover and unpack their biggest troubles.
The book not only discusses the concept of “messy” school leadership but also provides leaders with tools on how to deal with an ever-changing environment.
Each letter in the MESSY acronym represents a shift in the way that school leaders need to think. We loved that part of the conversation given our book 7 Mindshifts for School Leaders.
Don’t miss what Alyssa says about what leaders are doing that used to work but doesn’t anymore.
She talks about underlying beliefs that are false about leadership, including the notion that we should just work harder…showing up first and leaving last.
She’s insightful about the strategic planning process being a “straight-jacket.” Leaders need to be much more nimble than a 3-5 year plan.
Joe asks Alyssa about how she coaches school leaders to work within uncertainty. Her company has certified coaches who do this work.
Key takeaway: The truth about uncertainty is that when there are times of stability, we can be clear that uncertainty is on its way.
One thing that she talked about that matters for all school leaders is planning for multiple scenarios and all possible outcomes.
We asked Alyssa to talk more about coaching structures and normalizing leadership coaching. We agreed that all school leaders need an affordable and accessible coach. Pay attention to her flexible one-on-one coaching process, which starts with a match-making procedure.
She mentions personalized coaching as well as small group coaching for like-minded leaders.
We talked about demystifying the “job-ready” leader philosophy that’s impractical and basically untrue. We need to do more to ensure that school leaders have growth opportunities on day one of the job.
Don’t miss what Alyssa says about her love of learning, her own coach, her mastermind group, and seeking out new ways to grow.
Alyssa mentions her relationship with books. She looks for inspiration in authors, including Liz Wiseman and Jane McGonigal.
FocusED: An educational leadership podcast that uncovers what is working in our schools.
FocusED Show Notes with Guest Vicky Essebag
Vicky starts by defining “relationspaces” as the way that we bring ourselves to the spaces where we develop relationships.
Vicky tells us that we have preconceived notions about how we’re communicating and sometimes it’s effective and other times it’s not.
Vicky gives us an example of where our communication as teachers to students might be landing wrong in a way that only supports more misbehavior.
It’s better to minimize our noticing of the behaviors that are not desirable and maximize our noticing of the desired behaviors.
Solution-Focused is a strength-based approach. And, the future aspect of it asks the question, what does the person want?
Vicky says that success happens in small increments. Change happens gradually. Her advice is to take a few steps back when things aren’t going the way we want them to and then to become more inclusive.
She tells us that relationships have to be the foundation of everything we do and have to be prioritized as important in the minds of every leader.
Vicky explains that Solution-Focused has a premise that “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it; if it’s working, don’t change it; and if something is wrong, do something about it.”
Don’t miss what she says about future-oriented types of questions.
Vicky talked about a scenario and exercise that she did with students who were refusing to come to school, and they built hypothetical machines to help bring them back to school.
She talks about her own growth and a program she’s in right now to gain a certification that she wants for more international credibility.
Vicky says that the most important part about commuting with others is our presence.
We asked Vicky to give us some techniques for asking questions. She says that the best questions are open-ended and up to the person being asked to provide their answer versus searching for the right ones.
If we can inspire people with hope, why not. ~ Vicky Essebag
