e-leading
November 2015 (38)
Self-structured reflection and
development of a credo for
Educational Leaders
L
eadership within education requires professionals who
work in alignment with others and share common
values. Leaders need to understand and live out the
vision of the school they work in. “Leaders of future
schools must become reflective practitioners and lifelong learners that understand the importance of the intellectual aspects
of leadership, and are authentic in their leadership practices…
the first step towards achieving this state is, predictable enough,
to engage in personal reflection…” (Begley, 2003, p.xviii). It is
necessary that leaders take time to reflect on their own values
in order to ensure they are headed in the same direction as
the school they work in. If this is not the case they can end up
being ineffective and should consider their role in the school.
The development of a credo assists leaders in understanding
what drives their leadership and how they can make sense of
day to day decisions. “These defining choices are governed by
an individual’s own values, sense of judgement, and self-knowledge…rank does not confer privilege or give power. It imposes
e-leading November 2015 (38) – Researched and prepared for ACEL by Miranda Montalti, Learning and
Teaching Leader, Mother of God Primary, Ivanhoe East
Also published by ACEL e-shortcuts – Wisdom for successful school leadership and management
e-teaching – Management strategies for the classroom and e-technology – Technology in the classroom.
Subscribe online at www.acel.org.au
e-leading
Personal Credo Matrix
Values
Belief
Ideology (meaning religious
tradition, familial, profession,
spirituality)
Behaviours that indicate the
living out of the value in current professional context
Indicators / evidence of
achievement
Authenticity
I believe that leaders in a Catholic school setting need to be
genuine in all their interactions.
Profession
*listening to others
*truly ‘serving’ those I work with
*providing feedback/goals if/
when asked by others
*practising what I preach
*sustaining and building relationships
*people come to me for advice
*teachers want me to be part of
planning
*I am welcomed into classrooms to be part of the learning
and teaching
*people trust me
*I follow through with what I say
I am going to do
*I am always present when
others need me
*I do not go back on my word
*I am there to problem solve
with others
*people know they can share
the work load with me and it will
get done
*people support me because
they see me as always supporting them
*I am regarded as an expert
and my knowledge and skills
are valued and called upon
because people know I can
provide results
*I stand by what I say
*I problem solve situations
*I work through problems and
explain my thinking
*I respect others and keep
matters/issues confidential
*people come to speak to me
about issues as I am respected
and keep matters confidential
*respect is reciprocated
*people have seen that I have
their best interests at heart
and have not let them down,
therefore they value what I have
to say and follow directions I
put forth
I believe that leaders in a
Catholic school setting need to
be reliable in their role.
Trust
Catholic
Teamwork
Profession
I believe that leaders in a Catholic school setting need to build
confidence amongst people
they work
with.
Profession
I believe that leaders in a Catholic School setting need to have
faith and belief in others they
work with.
Profession
*I align myself with the people I
work with
*I help others to see the best
in themselves and situations
around them
*I provide feedback in a professional and respectful way
I believe that leaders in a
Catholic School setting must
be role models of the teachings
of Jesus.
Religious Tradition
I believe that leaders in a Catholic School setting need to show
empathy for others.
Spirituality
I believe that leaders in a Catholic School setting need to work
collaboratively with others.
I believe that leaders in a Catholic School setting must align
their values with others in order
to display collegiality.
Profession
Profession
*people ask me for feedback
as they know I believe in them
and want to help them achieve
their goals
*people value the trusting
relationship I have built with
them and know they will not be
judged when they come to seek
my feedback
*I live out the saying ‘what
would Jesus do?’
*I help others to see God
through my daily interactions
*when I make mistakes I can
admit to them and I learn from
them
*others around me act as I do
and are inspired by what I say
*people reflect upon their interactions with me and apologise
if they were not right, just as I
would to them
*I understand the point of view
of others and listen when they
speak
*I understand the feelings of
others and listen when they
speak
*as I listen I paraphrase what
others are saying so that I am
sure I understand their message
*people speak freely to me as
they know they will be listened
to and will not be judged
*people know that I am there to
listen and understand and will
guide if I am asked
*I learn from others
*I work with others
*I discuss learning and teaching
with others
*I problem solve situations with
others
*I seek feedback from others
*I hold the vision of the school
at the centre of all I do
*I am part of the school’s leadership team
*people want be involved in
decision making
*teachers want me at their
planning
*I live out the values as
displayed within the school’s
vision: invite, initiate, invigorate
and instruct
*I work with others and not
against them
*people understand what I
stand for and want to work
with me
*I am considered part of a team
and a team player
e-leading
responsibility” (Web log post, 2013, February 6).
There are many frameworks and programs educational
leaders may consider using as a form of reflection, including
Branson’s Authentic Leadership Program (Branson, 2009, p.19).
In working through Branson’s Authentic Leadership Program
I have reflected upon the many values which I believe leaders within education should possess. Branson’s program has
allowed me to take time to reflect deeply upon my life experiences as a leader. These experiences have been both positive and
negative yet equally have impacted on the leader I am today. “A
disposition toward reflection – and a good sense of when the
teacher needs to step back and think deeply – should be part of
all teachers’ repertoires” (Danielson, 2009).
In developing my credo the following four values have
been selected: authenticity, trust, Catholic and teamwork. The
following matrix defines the elements which contribute to the
values I consider essential for my own person leadership credo.
These values, defined in the preceding matrix, are based on my
personal self-analysis of leadership. Included within my belief
statement is also the acknowledgement of a ‘Catholic school
setting’ as this is the context in which I work and is pivotal to
my leadership role.
In conclusion leaders working within education must be aware
that at different times they will come into contact with other leaders who do not have values that are aligned with the values of the
school. These life experiences add to and give meaning to leaders
who do have aligned values as they embody effective leadership.
It can be difficult and challenging to continue in leadership roles
where someone is working in opposition to you, but as mentioned
earlier these experiences to enhance the leadership capacity of the
authentic leader. Begley (2003) acknowledges that value conflict
situations do come up where all leaders do not agree and decisions
need to be made without all agreeing. Instantly problems can be
identified within this as some leaders are on board and others are
not. Hodgkinson presents an interesting argument stating “if there
is no value conflict then there is no need for leadership” (1991,
p.11). The ultimate goal is for leaders to be reflective and have
values which are aligned with the school. As a leader I continue to
learn and the life experiences presented to me help to strengthen
my leadership capacity. Knowing this helps me to work through
difficult situations and acts as a reminder that learning is a lifelong
process and the moment I stop learning I need to leave as I will
not be an effective leader.
References
Begley, PT 2003 The Ethical Dimensions of School Leadership. Springer, USA.
Bezzina, M 2008, ‘Both ‘Catholic’ and ‘School’: Leading learning with
moral purpose’, in Benjamin, A and Riley, D (eds), Catholic Schools.
Hope in Uncertain Times, John Garratt Publishing, Melbourne.
Branson, CM 2009, ‘In search of authentic leadership’, Learning Links
Program, Australian Catholic University, Brisbane.
Cummings, K 2013, What every leader needs a personal credo, available at
http://www.kelliecummings.com/leader-credo/#sthash.lvGY9T4G.dpuf.
Danielson, LM 2009, Fostering Reflection, available at http://www.ascd.
org/publications/educational-leadership/feb09/vol66/num05/Fostering-Reflection.aspx
Hodgkinson, C 1991, Educational Leadership The Moral Art, State
University of New York Press, Albany.
Miller, P 2012, January, Self-reflection: the key to effective leadership,
available at http://works.bepress.com/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1132&context=peter_miller
Walker, A 2003, ‘Developing cross-cultural perspectives on education
and community,’ in PT Begley and O Johansson (eds), The Ethical
Dimensions of School Leadership, Kluwer Academic Press, Dordrecht.
Quotes on self reflection
The real man smiles in trouble, gathers strength from distress, and grows brave by reflection.
Thomas Paine
By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and
third by experience, which is the bitterest.
Confucius
I love those who can smile in trouble, who can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection. 'Tis the business
of little minds to shrink, but they whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves their conduct, will pursue their principles unto death.
Leonardo da Vinci
The beginning of love is to let those we love be perfectly themselves, and not to twist them to fit our own image. Otherwise
we love only the reflection of ourselves we find in them.
Thomas Merton
Without reflection, we go blindly on our way, creating more unintended consequences, and failing to achieve anything useful.
Margaret J. Wheatley
I thank God for my failures. Maybe not at the time but after some reflection. I never feel like a failure just because something I
tried has failed.
Dolly Parton