August 2, 2012 Finding energy for the leadership journey We all face limits to our time and energy

as we carry out our work, family, volunteer and other roles. Leadership Initiative projects throughout the province, share some of the strategies that have helped them stay energized and overcome barriers along the way to their goals. While there are common themes, there are many different approaches. I hope by sharing that we can all gain some ideas to keep the effort engaging and fresh. Ask questions-what's the worst that can happen? What if they say, "no". Ask, can we? would you?-Carla from Bella Bella (Cohort 3) Find or build a professional support network-Support is a two way street. "Be willing to reach out, take the first step and speak from the heart"-Carla Become an active part of your professional association - A number of projects are building support networks for yourself and others. "It's a mutual responsibility." Carla says, I needed support locally. Creating a chapter has helped me connect with more people. The Chapter now has 22 people on the mailing list. "Reflection works better when others are involved in the process" (Hunt and Weintraub, 2011, p. 38). Mentor others - "Every time I mentor a student, I remember when I was mentored."Lindsay, Prince George, Cohort 3. While there are many definitions and models of mentoring, in educational settings well designed mentoring and coaching experiences are showing benefits in a number of areas including: reflectivity of practice, reducing professional isolation and building a collaborative learning culture (Lord, 2008, p.7); building professional skill, confidence and reducing attrition (McCormick, K. M. & Brennan, S, 2001). Mentoring is a reciprocal professional relationship which not only helps to improve the professional practice of new teachers, but also aids more experienced teachers to gain fresh perspectives and learn about current educational approaches. (State Government of Victoria, 2012). Mutual support created by developmental coaching buffers stress (Hunt and Weintraub, 2011, p. 7). Make it Fun-Whether early childhood educators or adult educators, we know that having fun, creating lightness and playfulness can help facilitate learning. Over the course of the last month, I've heard some of you talk about much fun you are having. The leadership isn't just happening at the workplace, it's being planned for barbecues, dinners, evening gatherings, dessert parties, weekend retreats, etc. What makes the activity enjoyable for you?

Find Passion-Find someone you love to work with. Self professed 'ECE Geeks' Kim and Danielle (Images, Cohort 1) connected naturally at a networking event from opposite sides of the room. They have now started small evening gatherings with colleagues. http://imagesoflearningproject.com/info/get-a-group Multiple regions have had book clubs or book study groups. Multiple projects have shared how team members have divided up the roles based on what each individual is passionate about. Choose a goal that you are passionate about - Skidegate (Cohort 4) has created a one page document that explains why their project matters in the grand scheme of things. If the task is motivating to you, you will be more likely to engage others to help. "When you engage in work that taps your talent and fuels your passion-that rises out of a great need in the world that you feel drawn by conscience to meet-therein lies your voice, your calling, your soul's code." (Covey, 2004, p.5) "Have a Plan-Tackle bite sized pieces. Timelines, set SMART goals (Wikipedia, 2012). Success equals motivation. Look for support beyond the traditional opportunities to network together. The ability to draw on and connect with other leadership projects is invaluable." Stephanie (Cohort 2). Find Ways to Connect-Join on conference calls and other opportunities to connect even if you can't be there is person or you are located in a remote area. To Natalie (Cohort 1), "being at (the ECEBC) conference is really important." Engage others and know when you need a break-sometimes I have to say no-Carla. "One of my success tools has come from engaging people who are passionate by supporting them to implement their own ideas. As a result, we have more people taking on active roles in their project." Lyndsay For Ranjit in South Surrey (Cohort 2), "we came back from Institute with a really big vision. We expanded our team so we could achieve everything that we set out to do." (plus some). Take time to learn-For Lyndsay any professional-development opportunity rejuvenates and refreshes. Positivity, Perseverance and Patience- I listen to the stories and obstacles experienced by others and realize how fortunate we are in many ways. "Hang in there. It takes a while. Don't give up." Ranjit. Following are a few resources for those who are looking for references to get started, reconnect with your passion and explore some of the suggestions above in more depth: Covey, S.R. (2004). The 8th habit: From Effectiveness to Greatness. Free Press, NY

Hardy, D. (2010). The Compound Effect. Success Media. This book contains some useful tools and strategies for aligning your career goals with your personal life. It also includes some tools to help explore and assessing the people and other factors that may be affecting your achievement of goals. The book provides a range of tools to assist in looking at what to start, expand and stop. It was a light summer read and while I almost put it down for being overly business focused at one point, it was worth finishing as it is consistent with exploring values, and taking a holistic approach to finding deeper passion and motivation behind the goals. Senge, P. Kleiner, A, Roberts, C. Ross, R., and Smith, B. (1994). Developing Personal Mastery (pp.193-219). In The Fifth Discipline Fieldbook: Strategies and Tools for Building a Learning Organization What next? What's helping you find and sustain your energy? What do you need to do to keep going for the next wave of your leadership journey? For more information about the Leadership Projects, please visit the Facebook Page by entering ECEBC Leadership in the search box, Christine Buttkus is contracted to support ECEBCs Leadership Initiative-Sharing the Learning Project and can be reached at 604.849.2252 or christine_buttkus@telus.net. Other References: Hunt, J.M. and Weintraub, J. R. (Eds.) (2011). The coaching manager: Developing top talent in business (2nd Edition). Los Angeles: Sage Lord, P., Atkinson, M. & Mitchell, H. (2008). Mentoring and coaching for professionals: A study of the research and evidence. Training and Development Agency for Schools. Retrieved from National Foundation for Educational Research Website: http://www.nfer.ac.uk/nfer/publications/MCM01/MCM01_home.cfm? publicationID=171&title=Mentoring%20and%20coaching%20for %20professionals:%20a%20study%20of%20the%20research%20evidence McCormick, K. M. & Brennan, S. (2001). Mentoring the new professional in interdisciplinary early childhood education: The Kentucky teacher internship program. Topics in Early Childhood Special Education, 3, 131-149. doi: 10.1177/027112140102100301

State Government of Victoria Department of Education and Early Childhood resource on mentoring new teachers. Retrieved from http://www.eduweb.vic.gov.au/edulibrary/public/staffdev/teacher/Mentoring_Begin ning_Teachers.pdf (March 1, 2012). Wikipedia description of SMART Goals, retrieved August 1, 2012: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SMART_criteria