LEADERSHIP in association with
www.usethekey.org.uk
The art of
influencing
Leadership is all
excellent influencers, and this was the source of most job, share the feeling that as a team you can all continue organising the meet and greets of important guests
of their success in school improvement. They carried to make a positive difference. A positive influencer to the school, having their photos taken for the local
about influence,
people with them by a mixture of charisma, common makes others feel good; their positivity is infectious and newspaper, or writing quotes for press releases.
sense, a willingness to see other points of view, and buoyant throughout the long autumn term. Always present yourself as calm and composed,
professional respect. If you aspire to be a successful The second colleague “type” is the able, ambitious smartly dressed and polite. As an influencer you are
some would say
school leader, perhaps this is only truly possible if you and aspirational. These are the colleagues you can setting an example to staff of how you perceive it is
are also an effective influencer. really rely on to share and promote the values of your right to act as a representative of the school.
– but what kind
An interesting point about people who use their school or department. Likewise, do not tear about the school building,
influencing skills well, is that other people like being If you can influence their working, you can build a however much you need to be in two places at once. It
of influence? Deputy head
around them. There is a kind of exciting buzz, or sense team of hard-working and focused colleagues who will gives the appearance to staff and students that you are
that things happen when they are about. provide opportunities for pupils, thereby creating the flustered or pressured and they will feel the same.
Truly excellent influencing skills require a healthy climate you are strategically striving for. Never be publically critical. If you share derogatory
Jo Smith suggests how
combination of interpersonal, communication, Listen to their suggestions and allow them to lead views about a colleague or difficult parent, whatever
presentation and assertiveness techniques, and while on projects they are interested in with your full support. their foibles, colleagues in earshot may assume you
to be influential in your
you no doubt find yourself using these as a teacher That support might come in the form of your time, make uncomplimentary comments about them too.
every day with pupils, do not be afraid to use them with your advice, or simply providing them with access to So as the new school year starts, perhaps you
leadership
your colleagues too. personnel or information that will help them. can influence those around you and help to build an
Colleagues are far more willing to share in your Invite these colleagues to do some of the nicer increasingly harmonious and effective team. SecEd
objectives if they feel acknowledged, understood and jobs that fall under your remit and give them credit
Y EYE was drawn recently to appreciated. They may even end up doing or agreeing without taking any yourself. Presenting awards at prize- • Jo Smith is deputy headteacher at Long Field School
M
a job advert for an operational to something they would not previously have done giving ceremonies, signing positive letters to parents, in Melton Mowbray.
director and senior programme because they feel good about making the choice.
leader at the National College If that means contributing to schemes of work
for Leadership of Schools and or giving an assembly because an “influencer” has
Children’s Services. demonstrated their support for it, or by being more
Leadership: Key issues
A well paid job as a leader supportive of a new whole-school initiative at meetings,
of school leadership programmes. The kind of job I then you have done a lot to create a culture of success
envisage those weary of single school leadership or who and pride in developing teaching and learning.
How can I make my open evenings more effective?
are opinionated veterans of the National Professional If influencing is about being able to move things
Qualification for Headship programme might consider forward, without pushing, forcing, or telling others AN OPEN evening is your big chance to show off the puzzles, leaving the teachers free to speak with
they would have a good shot at. what to do, then it is the surest way to move the greatest your school and ensure parents of prospective pupils parents.
Amid the desirable skills listed were the ability number of colleagues on. can make a well informed decision.
to: influence others, tailor written and verbal There seem to be two main “types” of colleagues As always, it helps to share the load. The more
History
communication to the needs of the audience, negotiate with whom you could use influencing as a form of current pupils and staff you involve, the more sides The School History website proposes getting a
effectively by anticipating the needs of others, and gain leadership to promote their development. of school life you can demonstrate. The online advice member of the team to dress up as a Second World
agreement and commitment from others. First is underperforming or disillusioned colleagues. site, Teaching Expertise, also suggests War soldier and setting up an officers’
It also detailed being comfortable making The key here is tact, diplomacy and making your that if parents get a chance to speak to mess in the corner of the room. Pupil
presentations to peers and team members, and cascading colleagues feel that they have things to contribute that current pupils personally they will feel volunteers can dress in costume too and
information on a timely basis to relevant people. you cannot provide. If you give the impression you more trusting of the school. demonstrate their knowledge of the era.
However, Kieran McGrane,
headteacher of Bedlingtonshire
Geography
‘
If influencing is about being able to move
Community High School in Providing a selection of participatory
Northumberland, stresses that he prefers games such as getting people to identify
to use staff to guide parents around the where they live on a map of the local
things forward, without pushing, forcing, or telling
school, as they are able to give more area is suggested by Learningnet in its
information. geography forum. Other ideas include
others what to do, then it is the surest way to
He suggests early communication jigsaw puzzle maps, pictures of food
with parents to notify them of the date and flags for people to match up, and
move the greatest number of colleagues on
is essential, and he says it also helps to a volcano to be created throughout the
’
make the communication personal as evening, culminating in an eruption using
opposed to “dear parent/guardian”. vinegar, bicarbonate of soda and red food colouring!
Another tip from Teaching Expertise is to keep up
The above provides a suitable description of a good have everything covered, there will be little need for moral by arranging catering for anyone who stays late
Modern foreign languages
member of the senior leadership team or an effective them to volunteer anything extra, share their ideas, or to represent the school. Joe Dale, from the blog Integrating ICT into the
school middle leader don’t you think? feel that their role in department life is to make wider Different subjects or departments merit different modern foreign languages classroom, describes how
It got me thinking about the difference between the contributions than their own lesson planning. approaches. Try to reflect the more innovative his school set up a café in a language classroom, and
really effective colleagues I have worked with, who A good influencer will run performance management activities your teachers use to engage their students served snacks from relevant countries.
seem to run a harmonious department with effortless reviews and target-setting with aplomb. Look carefully to catch the attention of your visitors.
ease and whose team members cannot seem to do at ways to praise and recognise the previous years’
Improving for next year
enough for them, compared to those whose departments contribution, however small.
English
It is a good idea to ask prospective parents to fill in
seem only to “rub” along. Let reviewees suggest targets and tweak them to fit A good suggestion from the online forum, Teachit, is questionnaires in order to get their feedback on the
I remember too, with professional fondness, with your view of what needs developing, rather than to buy or borrow a popcorn-maker so you can make open evening and improve it in the future. The results
colleagues more senior than me who throughout my approaching the interview with a ready-made list that popcorn and hand it out to people in cones. Then of the questionnaire will give you an idea of what to
career inspired me to become a better teacher, head of you think should be included. ask the prospective pupils to think about words to keep and what to change.
department or key stage manager. What made them Appreciate, show gratitude for, and use suggestions describe the popcorn, before, during and after it is
good leaders? Hard work? Emotional intelligence? from others. If their suggestions and input are appreciated popped in the popcorn-maker. • Answer by Philippa Walker, specialist researcher
Shared educational principles? they will volunteer again. So what if the job is not done for The Key, a guidance and support service for
Well yes, all of those things helped, but actually they exactly as you would have done it? The important thing
Maths
school leaders in English maintained schools. The
were also professionals I could have a fairly honest and is that it has been done; giving your colleagues a sense A teacher on one web forum described providing a service provides answers to questions on all aspects
frank debate with or whose views I respected even if I of ownership over an aspect of department life and selection of hands-on puzzles for prospective pupils of school leadership. This answer was written after a
did not agree. These people were the leaders who most leaving you the chance to do other things. to solve, and giving them a sticker for each one they question from a school leader in London. To activate
other colleagues seemed to respect too. Above all simply be a positive force. Even on complete. You can ask current pupils to organise a free trial membership, visit www.usethekey.org.uk
So what was their secret? Well, they were all burdensome days, give the appearance of enjoying your
SecEd • September 24 2009 13
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