Creative Leadership

If ever there was a time when we needed to carefully consider the role of leadership within education, it is now. With financial constraints, and a focus on cutting back, are we confident that we are making the right decisions and making the most of our most valuable resource: our staff?

The current economic crisis may well prove to be an opportunity to tap into the creativity, imagination and innovation of staff at all levels of the organisation. The dynamic thinking that comes from harnessing individual ideas can lead to solutions we haven’t even begun to consider. Individuals can inspire and motivate if we create the right conditions to support them.

So what are we looking for ?

The ILM report ‘Creating Future Leaders’ outlines the qualities and attributes that we need in the leadership that will take us forward.

We need leaders who have high levels of self-awareness, with the ability to create a vision, inspire and motivate. Fundamental to this a sound value base: trustworthy and authentic with the ability to empathise (emotional intelligence). There is no one characteristic that sets the leader apart, but they must be flexible and able to deal with difficulties and challenges.

Crucially a defining characteristic is for a leader to be able to learn from failures: now is not the time to play it safe. New ways of working and thinking require risk, and we need leaders who are willing to support risk and innovation, learn from failures, and build on successes.

In this climate of vision making, creativity, and innovation leaders must be able to communicate: to listen, question, persuade and manage conflict and change. The heart of their work involves participation and engagement; an openness to others’ ideas and a willingness to embrace the values of co-ownership.

These authentic leaders, with breadth and depth of experience can be found in every organisation. They carry the credibility of relevant experience, the wisdom that has been required through trial and error.

The ILM recommend that organisations take succession planning seriously, growing our own within organisations. They suggest holistic, modular learning opportunities where experience is valued and participants are encouraged to reflect openly and honestly.

Scotland’s Colleges’ Response

We have responded to the challenges for the education sector by developing a unique collection of ‘Creative Leadership’ seminars. Although each seminar focuses on a different aspect of leadership, all aim to develop creativity in the workplace, to challenge traditional responses and build on positive practice. All seminars will model approaches and generate ideas, that leaders can use within an educational setting.

Events

View our Creative Leadership Events.

For further information please contact Lesley Whelan, Manager - Next Practice.