On this week's episode I talk to Mike Kaufman, MSW, PhD, Author of Doing Good & Doing Well. Mike challenges the traditional idea that top leadership roles are best filled by individuals with business degrees. Instead, he advocates for the unique perspectives and skills that helping professionals—such as educators, social workers, and community organizers—bring to leadership positions, particularly in non-profit and service-oriented sectors.
We discuss:
The Value of Helping Professionals in Leadership: Mike Kaufman discusses how his background in social work has equipped him with essential skills for leadership roles in service-based organizations.
Transferable Skills: Insight into specific skills from helping professions, such as empathy, communication, and problem-solving, that are highly transferable to leadership positions.
Showcasing Skills and Experiences: Tips on how educators and other helping professionals can effectively highlight their skills and experiences on resumes and during interviews.
Addressing Misconceptions: Exploring common biases that hiring managers may have about candidates from helping professions and strategies to overcome these misconceptions.
Transitioning to Leadership Roles: Practical advice for teachers and educators looking to move into leadership roles, focusing on networking and professional development.
Translating Classroom Experience: How educators can translate their classroom experience into valuable leadership qualities that service organizations seek.
Stakeholder Management: Utilizing expertise in managing diverse stakeholders to demonstrate leadership capabilities.
Professional Development: The importance of continuous learning and professional development for educators transitioning out of the classroom.
Qualities of Leadership Candidates: Identifying the key traits that service-based organizations look for in leadership candidates and how educators can showcase these qualities.
Resources and Links:
If you're an educator or helping professional considering a transition into a leadership role, tune in to this insightful conversation for practical tips and encouragement. Don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with others who might benefit from this discussion!
Connect directly with employers who want to hire former teachers with Goldendelicious https://www.goldendelicious.ai
Free networking guide for transitioning teachers: https://whatsnextteacher.com/networkingguide/
Done-for-you teacher transition resumes (download and personalize!): https://whatsnextteacher.com/life-after-teaching/
Visit the website: https://www.whatsnextteacher.com
Get coaching: https://whatsnextteacher.com/career-coaching-for-teachers/
Should I leave the classroom: free quiz https://www.whatsnextteacher.com/quiz