How to Lead without a Title

We are about to enter the Year of the Rabbit. The Year of the Rabbit is predicted to be a year of hope, and why not, the whole world has now finally moved on from the pandemic.

During the Year of the Rabbit, we should be more deeply engaged in contemplation about our careers and seek fluidity in our development. Now is the time to begin envisioning the roles you want to have in a post-covid world. 

Many International schools have set ambitious goals for this year. Not only do they want to reboot their goals from 3 years ago, but the pandemic has surfaced a number of new priorities. From plans to expand their student body and boost academic results, to increasing diversity in hiring practices and providing more rigorous professional development opportunities—schools of every type and size are determined to make major improvements this year.

For many, this sounds like a nightmare. But to me, this is a veritable lucky draw bag of leadership development opportunities. Here are just a few examples of the ambitions many international schools have for 2023, which you can leverage for your own growth prospects:

#1 Expanding Student Bodies

Schools are not exempt from competitive forces within their markets and the laws governing them, especially when their underpinning resources, budgets, are tightly tied to student enrolment and the public perception of the quality of the school's services.

#2 Improving Academic Performance Outcomes

International schools have a laundry list of projects that were interrupted by the pandemic, and have added greatly to that list with a number of things they learned from the pandemic.

#3 Creating Professional Development Opportunities

Schools are keen to offer more diversified and comprehensive professional development opportunities for teachers and staff, such as instructional coaching, workshops, and mentorship programs.

So, how will you align your professional growth ambitions with your school’s development objectives? How, by scratching their back, can you satisfy your itch?

Without question, your school has these same ambitions, plus many more. Unfortunately, though, many, if not most schools, lack the leadership to bring them to fruition. Herein lies your opportunity. Schools find themselves in this situation because individual teachers and staff members don't feel empowered to take ownership of the school's goals – but you don't need an invitation or a title to lead! 

Your school needs you to step forward and take ownership of it's larger, more ambitious goals, especially those that require staff working interdependently. Leadership, though, does not necessarily need to come from individual roles – it can be cultivated in groups and amongst teachers and staff. Fostering this type of leadership requires creating an environment where everyone is encouraged to share their ideas and insights. By helping to facilitate this type of working environment you can build a stronger sense of collaboration and trust that encourages your colleagues to take greater ownership of important initiatives and projects.

As we look ahead to the opportunities and possibilities of 2023, it's important to remember that the best way to develop yourself as a leader is by seizing upon opportunities to lead. Don't wait for a position to open up, or for an invitation from someone else. Find ways to positively influence your colleagues to share their ideas and then work interdependently to achieve an ambitious goal. By merely trying to positively influence an outcome, you will be demonstrating a variety of leadership skills. 

Here's to realizing your professional ambitions and to a successful 2023!

Happy New Year! Gong Xi Fa Cai!