2025 Early Career Heads Institute

This session kicks off the Early Career Heads Institute, introducing participants to the core framework of leadership development. We will provide an overview of the six dimensions of effective onboarding, focusing on the development of a Personal Leadership Model. This foundational session emphasizes self-awareness, leadership identity, and the importance of understanding one's personal strengths and challenges as a new head of school.

Dimension 1: Personal Leadership Model
Focusing on personal leadership, this session will guide heads through the creation of their own leadership compass, helping them establish clear working norms and time management strategies that align with their vision. The use of tools like the Predictive Index and a SWOT analysis will provide actionable insights into their leadership style and personal working preferences. Participants will also explore the value of building a support structure, including leveraging the leadership team, board chair, and mentor relationships.

Dimension 2: Team Development & Processes
This session dives into team development and the processes that foster effective leadership. Participants will explore strategies to map key roles, strengths, and gaps within their leadership teams, ensuring alignment around goals and expectations. A special focus will be on creating effective meeting models, establishing decision-making processes, and nurturing strong one-on-one relationships to build cohesive, high-functioning teams.

Dimension 3: Board Relations 
Understanding board relations is essential for effective leadership. This workshop will introduce tools to map trustee roles and expectations, focusing on building productive governance partnerships. Participants will gain practical skills to assess and align with the board's vision, using frameworks like the Governance Health Index and the Executive Committee’s expectations alignment. Insights into the roles of board allies, skeptics, and influencers will also be explored.

Dimension 4: Mission-Driven Strategy 
Aligning leadership actions with mission and strategy is critical for the success of any school. This session will explore how to assess a school’s mission and strategic plan, ensuring they are matched to current realities and challenges. Participants will also learn how accreditation can be a tool for both reflection and strategic growth, embedding mission-driven decision-making throughout the institution.

Dimension 5: Organizational Alignment
This session will address the alignment of talent, culture, and organizational design to drive school success. We will focus on assessing the strengths and needs of the school's talent pool, evaluating organizational culture, and ensuring that resource allocation supports the school’s strategic priorities. Managing transitions and aligning organizational structures will also be explored, helping new heads navigate these essential challenges.

Dimension 6: Community Engagement
Engaging the entire school community—faculty, staff, students, parents, alumni, and partners—is crucial for long-term success. In this session, participants will explore strategies for deepening connections within the school community, addressing their roles as community builders. Special attention will be given to developing strong relationships with various stakeholders, ensuring that each group feels invested in the school’s mission and success.

In this closing session, participants will reflect on the key insights from the Institute and craft a personalized leadership roadmap. Focusing on both short- and long-term goals, participants will apply lessons learned to create an actionable plan for continuing their leadership journey. This final session will emphasize the importance of reflection and goal setting as a key part of the ongoing development of effective heads of school.