New School Year, New Leadership Goals: 3 Keys to Setting Yourself Up for Success

As an aspiring leader, setting yourself up for the new school year is crucial. But let's be honest, the back-to-school rush can be overwhelming. Between admin priorities, faculty expectations, and preparing for a new batch of students, intentional action for your own career development can easily get pushed aside.

Before you know it, it'll be Week four of Term 1, you've gotten no traction on what you wanted to focus on. "Let's wait until next term," you hear, and your growth potential gets relegated to the bottom of the pile.

Here's how to avoid that fate and hit the ground running with these three key strategies:

Build Your Support Network

Identify the key people who will champion your leadership journey. This core group can include your line manager, principal, a supportive colleague, and someone important in your personal life. These individuals need to be in the loop about your ambitions, as they can play vital roles:

• • • Your principal and line manager: They'll be willing to provide references and act as sponsors during important leadership discussions. Remember, when leadership teams brainstorm potential team members, you want your name to be on the list.
    • Your work bestie: They're your cheerleader, confidante, and unofficial hype person. Share your plans and let them be part of your story – everyone loves being part of someone's rise to success.
    • Your significant other: Their understanding and support will be invaluable, especially when you need encouragement or help managing home responsibilities.

Schedule Regular Leadership Dates

Block out time in your calendar for dedicated "Leadership Dates." Escape your usual environment – a cafe, library, or park will do – and check in with each of your leadership projects. Reconnect with your big picture goals, analyse any data you've collected, track your progress, and reflect on challenges and lessons learned.

If you don't make intentional time to spend on the big picture of your career, things will creep up on you and potentially derail all your efforts. There is a conversation that Ernest Hemingway wrote about where a banker asked, "How did you go bankrupt?"  "Two ways," replied the other banker, "gradually, then suddenly." The same applies to leadership. Small unresolved problems can seem just that, small and insignificant. But these small issues will lead to a sudden 'shit has hit the fan' situation. Through Leadership Dates, you can proactively address these issues and keep everything going according to plan.

These dates will also be incredibly helpful when preparing application materials and interview responses. I even have a downloadable PDF with detailed instructions for conducting effective Leadership Dates – you can find it here.

Craft a Plan for Each Project

Creating an Action Plan for each of your projects is a learned skill. No one is perfect at creating the perfect plan on the first go but it is an essential practice for new and aspiring leaders. Even if you know the deadlines will get shifted, create and regularly review a plan for each of your projects. I've had teachers tell me that it's silly to think that they have enough influence or power to make sure the details of their initiative Action Plan get 100% followed. I agree but one day, you will. So here's the thing, even when you make an ineffective or ambiguous plan, there are benefits.

Here's why:

• • • Learn to pivot: Unexpected changes are inevitable. By planning, you develop the agility to adapt and adjust your approach.
    • Improve with each iteration: Your first plan might not be perfect, but it provides a baseline for reflection and learning, making your next plan even better.
    • Solicit feedback: Sharing your plan with colleagues and leadership fosters valuable feedback and insights, helping you refine your approach.
    • Demonstrate initiative: The act of planning itself showcases your proactive nature and commitment, leaving a positive impression with leadership.

Remember, a plan doesn't have to be complex. Simply define your "why," outline the steps, set a deadline, and assign ownership.

Future Proofing your Leadership Potential

Let's consider how these strategies are going to help you when you successfully get a promotion.

• • 1. You'll have your support network in place so you'll be able to drawn on people you need because their used to being part of your career and life.
    2. You're spending scheduled intentional time, during your Leadership Date, doing the deep work that moves the needle in your development as a leader. This means you'll be a better leader because nothing is falling through the cracks,
    3. You're great at making action plans to implement change because you've been doing it for ages.

Investing in these strategies now will pay off immensely when you achieve your leadership goals. You'll have a built-in support network, a deep understanding of your projects, and a proven track record of planning and execution – all invaluable assets as you ascend to higher levels.

So to set yourself up for success as an aspiring leader you need to:

1. Build Your Support Network
2. Schedule Regular Leadership Dates
3. Craft a Plan for Each Project

Don't forget to grab the Leadership Dates freebie Here