Before becoming Learning Development Manager for World ORT, I worked as Head of Key Stage at a Jewish secondary school, and as Deputy Headteacher at another Jewish school that caters for students with mild to moderate needs.
I have developed as a leader throughout my career. Despite this, I have had very little formal leadership training. My inspiration and on-the-job training came from observing leaders I admired as role models, incorporating colleague feedback as well as research from publications and blogs.
I was excited, therefore, to organize and observe this year’s LEAD Program, a four-day seminar facilitated by World ORT and leadership experts Christine Young and Graham Dring at Scuole della Comunità Ebraica in Milan. The 22 educators taking part travelled from 14 ORT schools across our international network to be involved.
The LEAD (Leadership in Education, Administration and Development) Program, which is supported by Dr. Louanne Smolin and David Eaton, along with the HH Wingate Foundation, aims to prepare the organization’s future educational leaders and senior managers by providing training in how to manage colleagues and to prioritize their own professional development journeys.
It was inspiring to hear Graham and Christine’s flow of expert guidance, tips, and nuggets of wisdom. Leadership was described as a function of ‘knowing oneself’, with participants exploring emotional and spiritual intelligence, and being advised to ‘eat that frog’ – which is an approach advocating the immediate tackling of one’s most challenging tasks. Participants were continually challenged to share their opinions and experience in small groups, and to contribute their ideas and beliefs to the wider circle.
The LEAD course promotes coaching as a professional skill
School leaders are often teachers who have demonstrated outstanding practice. While they might not have any formal leadership training, they could be expected to suddenly demonstrate new skills and qualities, often in a position where they need to lead colleagues with whom they previously shared equal footing.
The seminar covered tools and concepts essential for any school leader. Participants learned about styles of leadership, and the benefits of utilizing different methods depending on context or personalities involved. They also completed a test in order to understand motivation profiles, and the need to implement different styles depending on the individual’s motivation ‘type’.
We discovered that individuals with a ‘spirit’ profile, for example, thrive on autonomy and empowerment. As leaders, our role is to understand what drives our colleagues and to adopt a style that enables them to perform to their highest potential.
We analyzed high-performing teams, looking at the stages of their development, and at how to grow and maintain trust within a team. I found the guidance on delegation especially insightful, particularly the importance of delegating directly to the individual who will be carrying out the task.
LEAD delegates work together to share knowledge and expertise
For me, the program highlight was witnessing the facilitated coaching sessions. Christine and Graham provided sharp insights into the how-tos of coaching, modelling the process at the beginning, and providing individualized feedback. I was truly jealous. Coaching is a valuable leadership tool, and the opportunity to learn and practice it in a risk-free environment is one I would have appreciated earlier in my career.
Delegates were excited by the new learning and approaches, and there was an appreciation of the relationships fostered, which will form the support network for an invigorated leadership journey.
Participants learned about each other’s settings and exchanged challenges, solutions, and ideas. It was inspiring to see professional connections and genuine friendships formed in such short a time, fueled by a joint vision and a renewed understanding of what it means to teach and lead in an ORT school.
The LEAD Program recognizes that the delegates are respected professionals and helps them to become even better. The benefit of them joining the program is felt by their students and the stakeholders of our schools.
Good leaders foster and retain motivated and talented teachers. This creates excellence in our schools, which is the best investment we can make towards our future.
Leor Harel is Learning Development Manager at World ORT
