Many of you may have noticed that I have been talking quite a bit about Calm Leadership for a while. And you may (if you are curious) wonder why that is! This short article will hopefully explain all!
I started my first headship in September 2006, just 18 months after I have first become a deputy. It was sooner than I had anticipated, and it was scary. I knew that I wanted to be a headteacher – this was my ambition from my early days as a teacher – however, I was not expecting it quite so soon. And the truth was, I was not quite ready for what I was taking on. I think I was scared of my own shadow! I was confident that I could learn quickly (and boy, did I have to!), but the journey was a very challenging one and extended me in ways that I did not know was possible. I certainly was not calm.
I was an internal candidate. I applied for the job because I wanted to take advantage of the experience of applying for headships and going through the process. I applied because I was convinced by those around me that I would be a good candidate for the job. I applied because I wanted to compare myself to the competition. Never (and I mean like, ever) did I imagine I would get the job, until the second day of interviews when I was down to the final three candidates from over 30 applicants. Then it hit me… This was REAL! After I was successful on day 2 and I was offered the job, I responded by asking the then Chair of Governors, ‘Are you sure?’. In hindsight, that was a silly (albeit honest) thing to say based on how I felt at the time.
I was excited, but also petrified. To talk about ‘imposter syndrome’ would not do how I felt at the time any justice. I remember saying to my coach (who was a very experienced ex-headteacher) that I just couldn’t get used to the feeling of constantly being on the edge of my comfort zone. It was just not something that I was prepared for.
I had great support from a range of coaches that I saw in my first few years in post – and each helped me significantly in very different ways. As well as the need to feel like I was worthy of the job, I had the added pressure of being one the very few Black headteachers in secondary school at the time, and the challenges that that presents (more on that another time). I learned a lot from my coaches. The helped me make sense of my experiences and supported the development of the sense of perspective that I honed over time. However, my early struggles were tough – and I always felt that more could have been done to have made that time more manageable and (dare I say it) calm.
Looking back now, as I reflect on what could have made a bigger difference to me and what I would have ideally had in place to support me, I arrive at Calm Leadership. Those who have followed my LinkedIn and Twitter posts of late (see above) will know that I have described Calm Leadership in the following terms:
- Calm Leadership is quiet, but not meek.
- Calm Leadership is compassionate, but not weak.
- Calm Leadership is not ego driven, but is purpose driven.
- Calm Leadership does not play to the audience, but it has presence and gravitas.
- Calm Leadership is fuelled by emotions but no controlled by them.
- Under pressure, Calm Leadership is super focused and present, it does not panic.
- Calm Leadership seeks solutions not drama.
- Calm Leadership has a sense of perspective.
- Calm Leadership believes that leadership is about people – supported by systems and processes, but not replaced by them.
The description above is what defines my approach to leadership; crafted, honed and developed over the last 16 years. I have not always got it right – but through determination, hard work, constant practice, seeking help from others and repetition, I have got better at it. I lead my school in the way that I have always wanted to be led. Now I want to support my newer and developing colleagues in the way that I would have wanted to be supported back in the day.
This is what Calm Leadership is. It is the answer to a range of questions often asked (with a level of anguish) by colleagues who are starting out on the senior leadership and headship careers. How do I do this? How do I overcome ‘imposter syndrome’? How do I manage emotionally? How do I lead with honesty, integrity and stay grounded and true to my values. How do I lead with humanity in my heart whilst still being able to take the tough decisions? How can I be a leader that lasts?
Calm Leadership is the support that I wish I had from the start. It’s time to give something back. It’s time for me to utilise what I have learnt to uplift and support others. It’s time for me to use my skills to mentor, coach, run workshops and deliver talks to spread the knowledge, skills and approach of Calm Leadership so that many more may benefit.
If you are someone who is new to headship, an aspiring headteacher or new to senior leadership and your leadership vision accords with mine, then I can help you on your journey through what I have learnt on mine. If you are interested and feel that this is something for you, please do not hesitate to contact me and we can talk about how I may be able to support you.
Patrick Cozier (The Calm Leader)