Our guest blog is written by one of our lovely Associate Coaches – Liz Sproat.
Liz shares her thoughts on the challenges that Education leaders have, having a sense of purpose as well as why coaching will give you the valuable space you deserve to work on aspects of yourself that matter most to you.
“I’m Liz and I’ve spent around 30 years working in the commercial education space for companies like Google, Pearson and Lego Education. As a coach who coaches both educators and commercial leaders, I’m fascinated by the parallels between both sectors.
In the commercial sector, seasoned leaders who are offered learning and development opportunities (with funding) lean into learning as a way of achieving career progression and growth. In the education sector, the myriad of pressures (costs, workload) make prioritising personal and professional development hard.
Education leaders carry by far the most significant set of challenges when compared with commercial leaders at similar levels of pay. And yet, there is so much more support available in the commercial sector.
That said, educators consistently share one thing that corporate leaders can struggle to achieve. Educators have the potential to lead with the why. At the end of a busy week or day, they can connect with the belief they are making a difference in the world.
If you think that’s a small thing, reflect for a moment on the investments companies make in helping their organisations find purpose. Be it in marketing, thought leadership or leadership development. Annually, companies spend billions trying to establish their purpose. And they do it because they know it drives followership. Simon Sinek reminds us of the value of leading from the why in his famous model, The Golden Circle. After all, ‘People don’t buy what you do, they buy why you do it. And what you do simply proves what you believe.’
So that’s that, problem solved. Educators are purpose-driven, so can work tirelessly in pursuit of that impact in the world.
Right?
Wrong!
Relying solely on a sense of moral purpose can bring its own pitfalls, not least burnout.
For those that follow it slavishly, they can often lose sight of the best asset they have to achieve impact; themselves and the people around them.
As an Associate Coach for Integrity Coaching, I spend my time supporting Headteachers and senior leaders, either at an individual school or MAT. I joined Integrity because of its commitment to doing the deeper work with clients that has a lasting impact.
If you choose to invest in coaching you’ll give yourself valuable space to work on aspects of yourself that matter most to you. Many of my clients come to me having lost their sense of purpose, or having relied on it so much they have nothing more to give. Coaching helps them reconnect with why they do what they do. Through our sessions, they reflect on how to achieve better balance in their life and build a more sustainable approach to work and life. In a safe and secure place, they can hone their leadership skills and focus on how to build an optimal culture at work. And, for some people, just having a space in which to share their thoughts and concerns provides the release they need.
So if your moral purpose is telling you that investing in yourself is a waste of money, think again. Your effectiveness and well-being are crucial to the educational outcomes of the schools you lead”.
