Embracing a New Chapter from Classroom to Leadership Development
After dedicating 34 years to public education, I have decided to transition from the classroom to focus full-time on leadership development. Sharing this news has elicited two main types of responses:
People often ask what I plan to do next. Some might view my response as curious when I share my interest in leadership development and my desire to be more available for my family, especially spending fun times with my grandson, Otto.
I’ve also heard a variety of unsolicited comments, such as:
- “Oh, you’ll miss the kids. But you’ll move on.”
- “You know, the grass isn’t always greener.”
- “You’re awfully young to be retiring.”
- And my favorite: “Oh, my dad did that. A few years later, his health was awful, and he was terrible to be around.”
When someone shares news or a problem, It’s often best to be curious and ask questions rather than offer advice.
How can mastering the art of asking good questions help leaders remain calm and respond thoughtfully- thus opening new perspectives, including their own?
The Art of Asking Good Questions
Becoming curious helps us develop a less anxious presence. In our Resilient Leadership Coach Certification Program, we emphasize developing this presence in three ways:
- Cultivating Healthier, More Balanced Relationships:
Maintaining this balance involves leading with questions or offering perspective, using discernment to determine each situation's requirements. - Communicating Clearly Under Pressure:
Knowing when to ask questions and when to offer helpful ideas starts with a calm, centered presence, especially as the pace of change accelerates. - Achieving Greater Work/Life Balance:
In our connected world, the line between work and home often blurs. Effective leaders regularly evaluate this balance and make decisions to increase their sense of control.
Calm Leadership in Community
Effective leaders are calming leaders. Becoming this type of leader is best achieved within the community. Interested in improving your leadership effectiveness? We invite you to join us for our Resilient Leadership Coach Certification Program starting in September. Together, we can learn to become calmer and lead with greater conviction.
RL Trainer John Moyer contributed to this article. As a 30+ year veteran of education, John has trained and coached both student and adult leaders. Through his work primarily in education, John has helped leaders of all ages discover that leadership is influence- which starts with the leader becoming a less anxious presence.
You can reach John at:
johnm@resilientleadershipdevelopment.com.
The RL Coach Certification virtual training program is designed to encourage attendees to explore new perspectives in their own professional and personal development. Participants who complete the full program earn 40 ICF Core Competency Credits. Note: Completion of the RL Coach Certification Program fulfills the ICF annual professional development 40-credit requirement.