WELLBEING
Leadership under pressure: why leader wellbeing is key to success
In his column this month for Education Today, MARK SOLOMONS, creator of Welbee, the online evaluation and staff wellbeing improvement tool, six times winner in the ERA Awards, discusses how the wellbeing of leaders can affect the whole school community.
if continuing to work leads to increased stress or anxiety levels and reduces your productivity and effectiveness.
3. Culture
School or trust culture has a significant impact on the wellbeing of everyone who works and studies there. Results from the 2023 Teacher Wellbeing Index show that only 22% of leaders felt that their institution’s organisational culture had a positive impact on staff wellbeing and 55% suggested it had a negative impact. It’s important to understand what builds culture and what undermines it. The greatest impact is the behaviours seen each day and how these demonstrate that agreed school values are being supported. If these expectations are not spelt out alongside your vision and values, then this is a great place to start – and you then have to role model them.
T
he wellbeing of leaders is a topic I regularly write about and one we need to return to amid post-budget uncertainty and the continuing challenges of education leadership.
Being a leader is a tough job. Staff, pupils, parents and those providing governance rely on you to be a force for good and to build a positive and inclusive culture. Cost savings, managing the post covid impact on attendance, behaviour, attainment, and SEND, while navigating Ofsted changes and the new Government’s agenda are all likely taking their toll.
Data has consistently shown that leaders’ mental health and wellbeing is not where it needs to be. The 2023 Teacher Wellbeing Index found that 84% of senior leaders experience work related stress, while the NASUWT found 84.3% of head teachers believing work-related stress had negatively impacted their mental health. As a leader you are a focal point for all stakeholders. You do your best to juggle your job responsibilities and workload, alongside meeting their expectations. It’s tough!
Keeping on top of the job can be difficult and it is important to accept that you can’t do everything, and to prioritise those things that matter the most. The job is stressful and failing to manage it effectively can lead to burnout, which is common among headteachers, trust and other senior leaders.
Being a role model for wellbeing Learning how to manage stress and
December 2024
prioritise your wellbeing sets an example for others about caring for their own physical, mental, and emotional health.
We often hear the saying ‘actions speak louder than words’. People do what they see others doing over what they are told to do. If you ignore your own wellbeing, those you work with are likely to feel they’re expected to do the same. That can contribute to a school culture that does not support the key aims you want to deliver - such as better retention, lower absences, improved financial performance and higher attainment.
So what are the biggest challenges and opportunities for leaders?
1.Lack of time and space
You have too much to do and are likely to be regularly interrupted by teachers, support staff, pupils, and parents throughout the day. This makes it difficult to work on important tasks, and find the time needed to be available for your team or take a decent lunch or personal break. Be clear on what is important, plan your availability and ensure your team and other staff know when you are making time for them too.
2. Presenteeism
The urge to ‘be at work’ physically when unwell is a common and understandable trait of leaders. While showing up for your job is important, it shouldn’t come at the cost of your physical or mental health. On those occasions where you are unwell, you are letting people down in the long-term,
4. Authenticity
There is often a belief that showing emotion or vulnerability is seen as a weakness and won’t be respected by staff or pupils, but being authentic is one of the best ways to connect with others. This builds trust, develops empathy and increases engagement.
5.Staff wellbeing is more important than mine
Many leaders fall into the trap of thinking that the people they serve professionally matter more than they do. Your wellbeing matters just as much as the wellbeing of other staff and pupils. The better your wellbeing, the more likely you can meet everyday challenges and be the leader that makes the difference for those around you.
Build positive relationships
Building strong relationships with family and friends will help support you in managing the stresses of being a leader, as will having positive relationships at school. Check in regularly with staff about what is going on for them and any important life events. Make this part of planning your availability. When staff know you care, they’ll support you as a leader and in turn this has powerful benefits for your own wellbeing.
For further information and practical advice on leader wellbeing, visit:
https://welbee.co.uk/
www.education-today.co.uk 19
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