Innovating Leadership: Co-Creating Our Future - Archive

S4-Ep18: Building Aspiring CIOs and ’C’ Level Leaders

Guest: Steve Gruetter
As we face significant change in the world, technology is leading those changes. Many of these changes will cause people in the technology community to become less effective if they don’t change at the same rate as tech. Specifically, leading in this new era is different than leading in the past and aspiring CIOs need to build skills differently now than they did in the past. Steve discusses a program he envisioned and created that involves a cross sector collaboration between multiple companies and the local CIO Forum. This is a wonderful example of local organizations investing in not only their own employees but the overall community education. 1. What sparked your decision to launch the IT Leaders program? 2. What themes and trends are you seeing that sparked action? 3. Describe the program content and how you came to select these topics; 4. This program is a collaboration between several community organizations, please share who is involved and their roles.

S6-Ep7: Courageous Leadership Is Required to Address Global Issues

Guest: Mike Gerbis
Courageous leadership is required to address the world’s most pressing environmental and social issues, such as rising carbon emissions, resource scarcity, plastic pollution, mass migration, poverty and conflict. Maureen Metcalf interviews Mike Gerbis, a business leader who has managed to challenge the status quo, break through traditional conventional commercial approaches and implement more sustainable solutions.

S5-Ep45: Junior Achievement - Case Study in Disruption

Guests: Mike Davis & Mark James
Junior Achievement is celebrating its 100-year anniversary this year. It has combined a proven track record of delivering powerful content with new groundbreaking approaches for delivery including partnering with businesses, educators, government, and the community to prepare young people for success in their lives and careers. It serves as a case study for disruption. It is finding novel ways to solve education and workforce development challenges that face our communities today and going forward. 1. JA is finding solutions that integrate education, business, government, and non-profit sectors to develop K-12 grade students who will make up the workforce of the future. 2. JA is delivering programs that prepare young adults to be job ready upon graduation from high school. They are piloting programs that integrate industry specific skills and soft skills. This program is delivered by aligning the needs of businesses, educators and students.
 
What Does It Take to Be an Educational Leader - Junior Achievement's Impact
This week, the blog was provided by Jennifer Brown and is a companion to the interview with Mike Davis and Mark James, Junior Achievement - A Case Study in Disruption.
The classroom offers no shortage of challenges for teachers, from navigating the different learning needs of a diverse group of students to keeping up with changing educational trends and policies. Plus, because of the 2020 pandemic, educators had to suddenly transition to remote-learning models, which was almost impossible to prepare for. And as many schools across the country re-open for full- or part-time classroom education, teachers have had to create structures that not only keep their students engaged but also adhere to COVID-19 health and safety standards.
While these types of obstacles are enough to keep some teachers engaged for a lifetime, others set their sights on even greater challenges within the educational system that will be in place long after the pandemic is over. However, transitioning out of the classroom into an educational leadership role isn’t as simple as throwing your hat in the ring. While classroom teachers are leaders in their own right, serving as an administrator requires a set of leadership skills all its own.
What It Takes to Be an Educational Leader
Becoming an educational leader is an opportunity to make an impact beyond the classroom. However, while teachers have ideas about the ways they’d lead differently given the opportunity, taking those ideas and turning them into actionable policies requires a unique set of skills.
When running a classroom, teachers have to make decisions moment by moment to keep their classrooms running smoothly and their students learning. Administrators, on the other hand, have to carefully consider the input of a variety of stakeholders before taking action.
In order to balance the demands of educational policies, district administrators, teachers, and parents, administrators must cultivate a culture of mutual respect and honest communication. That’s not easy to do when teachers often view administrators as a hindrance to their ability to teach, which is why an educational leadership role requires not only professional acumen but emotional intelligence as well.
The Demand for New Educational Leaders
For teachers who are up to the challenge of educational leadership, there’s no shortage of roles to fill. While teacher shortages draw the most attention, schools across the country are also facing a growing shortage of principals and other administrators. According to the National Association of Secondary School Principals, the demand for qualified principals in elementary, middle, and high schools is projected to grow 6 percent by 2022.
While some school districts struggle to attract candidates for leadership roles, most schools find that their problem isn’t the number of candidates, but the quality. One in three school principals stay in their role for less than two years and 18 percent leave the position within a year. Inadequate preparation is a leading reason for high principal turnover, which is why teachers are such attractive candidates for the job. When administrators have a background in education, they’re not only less likely to leave, they’re also more effective.
The Role of Educational Leaders in Student Achievement
What are the hallmarks of an effective educational leader? It’s not just an understanding of policy or a knack for juggling competing priorities. Experts agree that the most effective administrators are those who frame their decisions around what’s best for student learning — and that means creating a collaborative environment between teachers and administrators rather than taking a top-down approach to management. When administrators foster an environment that empowers educators, the sense of safety, support, and continuous learning that’s created trickles down to students as well. In fact, research has found that an emphasis on collaboration and communication is one of the key characteristics of high-performing schools.
Advancing your Career as an Educational Leader
While teachers are uniquely positioned to become educational leaders, taking that career leap requires additional qualifications. School principals require graduate-level degrees in educational leadership or administration in addition to state licensure, while educators who want to expand the opportunities available to them may opt to pursue a Doctorate in Education. With an EdD, educators can pursue a career as a K-12 principal, school superintendent, or an administrator in a post-secondary setting.
Pursuing a career as an educational leader isn’t a decision to make lightly. School administrators have a difficult job, and creating an environment that empowers students and teachers — both during and after the pandemic — requires professionals who understand the difference between leading and ruling. However, for teachers who appreciate the challenges facing their school system and want to make a difference, taking the step into an educational leadership role is the best way to do it.

S5-Ep47: Sustainable Disruption

Guests: Terri Bettinger & Greg Moran
We have been hearing from everyone that we are living in disruptive times. The question for many of us becomes – what does this really mean for me and what can I do. During this show, Terri Bettinger and Greg Moran join Maureen to explore disruption, what factors allow an organization to create sustainable disruption and how companies and leaders can create organizations that are truly disruptive.

S6-Ep14: Bridging Millennial and Traditional Leadership

Millennials are stepping into leadership roles at an increasing rate. We hear questions about millennial preparedness for leadership roles. At the same time, we have an expanding range of ages in the workforce. Leadership behaviors must change to prepare leaders and organizations to navigate the challenges they face with a more diverse workforce. During this conversation, Greg and Maureen talk about harvesting the best leadership tools, frameworks and behaviors to ensure all leaders are prepared.
 
What Is Imposter Syndrome and How May It Be Affecting Your Leadership?
Kayla Montgomery provided this guest blog. It is a companion to the interview with Greg Moran, Bridging Millennial and Traditional Leadership.
You’ve made it as a leader. A leader that most say is very successful. Yet, you still find your hands getting clammy every time you have to get up and talk about ideas or projects you have in the works even though your team knows they won’t fall short of a success.
If you feel this way, you may be experiencing the imposter syndrome. Turns out, even the highest of achievers, like Serena Williams and Tom Hanks, deal with the same extreme case of self-doubt.
The syndrome is reported to have, and continue, to affect 70 percent of millennials. This extreme self-doubt stops you from chasing after your goals and let you feel proud of those you’ve already nailed. But guess what? You aren’t crazy! You’re worthy of the achievements you have earned. You are worthy of your place no matter what stage of life, or your career, you are in.
Whether you’re slightly affected by the imposter syndrome or not, there are five different types you may just fall under. Learn about the types, how they may be affecting your finances, and what you’re able to do to counteract each thought process.
Five Different Types of Imposter Syndrome:
1. The Perfectionist
As a perfectionist, you feel like you’re unstoppable. You think no matter what you have on your to-do list, or calendar, you will be able to fit everything in and master each activity no matter how tired you may get. Even though you think every week you’ll be able to master all trades, you’re constantly letting yourself down. Each week you look back at everything you weren’t able to complete, even though you thought you easily could.
To push past your perfectionist imposter tendencies, break your goals down into smaller micro-goals. Instead of wanting to save thousands of dollars this year for a house down payment, break down a small monthly value goal that will easily lead you up to your goal.
2. The Super(wo)man
You may find yourself spending the majority of your time in the office or working countless jobs. When your friends and family ask if you’re able to make an event, you find yourself constantly turning them down because you have to “work.” No matter what, you grade your work on how much time you put into each rather than the output of each project you complete.
To hold back from working countless hours night after night, try different work methods like deep work and task batching. Invest in various apps that are able to block notifications during certain working hours, and value sound canceling earbuds that will allow a distraction free zone. Create boundaries in the workplace to ensure you don’t stay too long to wrap up a project in an unrealistic time frame.
3. The Natural Genius
Luckily, you’re really smart. The downside is that you don’t like to get out of your comfort zone. You may avoid taking on new projects since they will take you a little more time and focus to get the job done right. This can prevent you from reaching the next step in your career or be there when your coworkers may need help on certain projects to deliver in time.
Even though you’re really good at what you do and are happy with that, get out of your comfort zone. Whether that be going to a new workout class on the weekend or asking to join meetings across different departments at your company, push yourself out of your bubble.
4. The Soloist
As the soloist, you find yourself doing everything yourself. You insist on walking up and down every aisle at the grocery store to find that specific rice blend you like rather than asking the countless associates that walk right past you. You find yourself doing the same thing at work. You’d rather finish a project on your own in double the time it normally would just so you don’t have to ask your coworkers for a rundown.
Asking portrays your confidence in owning up to not knowing everything. Constantly tell yourself this when questions start to arise at your job. Even take baby steps by asking store associates to point you in the direction of a specific item that you know you’d be able to find on your own.
5. The Expert
You’re the jack of all trades. You’re good at everything that’s put on your plate, but you may not be good at strutting your stuff when asked. During meetings you may feel like you blacked out when having to stand up and talk in front of everyone, or consistently feel like the information you have doesn’t amount to anything. Your coworkers look up to you, but you still feel like a fraud when they pay attention to you.
To act like the expert you are, exercise your communication skills and remind yourself you have earned your spot in whatever meeting or opportunity you were presented with. To be confident, you have to act confident.
This common syndrome may deter you from reaching your biggest career goals. If you think you may be dealing with imposter syndrome, Mint created an infographic explaining the different types, how each type may affect your finances, and tips to overcoming it. Push past your self-doubt and push past to conquer anything you put your mind to!
 
About the Author
Kayla Montgomery is a digital content marketer who helps Mint create helpful and compelling stories worth sharing. Her background in digital marketing and creative writing has led her to cover unique topics ranging from business to lifestyle. In her spare time, she enjoys working out, writing for her own blog, traveling, and exploring all the ins and outs Austin, TX, has to offer. To learn more, connect with Kayla on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kayla-s-montgomery.

S1-Ep2: Lead Inside the Box

Guest: Mike Figliuolo
Mike Figliuolo, Managing Director of thoughtLEADERS LLC will talk about his recent book: Lead Inside the Box: How Smart Leaders Guide Their Teams to Exceptional Results. Mike will discuss
• Why he decided to write this book
• What he hopes readers take away from it
• The questions the book answers that successful people need to know
• His Top 3 points he wants readers to take away that will encourage them to learn more
• What guidance he would give leaders based on his experience
• His legacy as a leader
• How his organization works
• How he thinks about training and development Mike shares his work in a very practical and easy to apply manner. He shares wisdom and experience that leaders at all levels can use immediately to become more effective.

S1-Ep1: Leadership 2050

Guests: Susan Cannon & Mike Morrow-Fox
This is our inaugural show we will be talking to Susan Cannon and Mike Morrow-Fox. Our topic is Leadership 2050. We will discuss trends and a leadership model from a chapter we co-authored in the upcoming International Leadership Association Book Leadership 2050: Critical Challenges, Key Contexts, and Emerging Trends (Emerald Group Publishing, 2015). The qualities of effective leadership can be paradoxical—requiring effective leaders to be passionate and unbiased, detailed and strategic, hard driving and sustainable, fact-focused and intuitive, self-confident and selfless—often at the same time. Such complexity is rarely found in leaders even under optimal conditions. As we move toward 2050, new contexts and conditions are poised to emerge that will create challenges.

S1-Ep24: Thought Leadership: Spiritual Intelligence Transforms Leadership

Featured Guest: Cindy Wigglesworth 
Cindy talks about her foundational view on different intelligences, spirituality, and the spiritual intelligence framework. She provides great insight into how multiple intelligences impact overall development and how they link to leadership. She will then talk about the transition from emotional intelligence to spiritual intelligence (SQ).
I selected Cindy as a guest because I respect her as a thought leader, find her interviews interesting, and I like her SQ21 tool that brings spirituality and leadership together using a practical and quantifiable framework.
She discusses the following: 1. What are multiple intelligences, and how do they develop? 2. What is the connection between EQ and SQ – how the SQ model leverages the 21 competencies 3. Explain more about SQ and the SQ21 assessment. 4. How does SQ relate to leadership effectiveness (why should I care as a leader)? 5. How do you use the assessment to help leaders understand their strengths and how to develop?

S3-Ep4: Leadership Evolution: Theory and Practice In Action

Featured Guests: Gill Robinson Hickman & Jorrit Volkers
Gill and Jorrit discuss how organizations and researchers combine theory and practice to teach leadership to university students and career professionals. They talk about need for ongoing curiosity and learning at every stage of professional life. The ILA provides a forum for the interchange between scholarship and practice. Practitioners like Jorrit share the challenges businesses face and provide a venue to support great research. The findings are then integrated back into academic work updating what students learn as well as are taught to professionals at Deloitte University to support delivering great outcomes to clients and creating a society that can meet the challenges that continue to emerge. A practical example of current research is: leading and working in the “e” environment. Their combined work will result in new models supporting better practices to create healthy working environments. This research contributes to the 2017 ILA conference, Leading In Turbulent Times.