Empowering growth and leadership at Luther College
The challenge
Like all schools, Luther College is a people-based business with a complex and diverse customer base.
Recognising the need for staff to have strong communication and collaboration skills to navigate this environment, Principal Jacqui Layfield sought the Monash Corporate Education team's expertise to deliver the Clear Leadership program to the Executive Leadership Team.
She wanted an education solution that would also extend the mindset of staff beyond thinking of the school as a singular institution.
“Schools are unique people businesses, and we need to think differently about what we’re doing and how we are delivering our service. There’s so much to learn by thinking outside of our own existence. Investing in our leaders to develop and extend their emotional intelligence is a key ingredient for sustainable high performance,” Mrs Layfield says.
Reinforcing teachers’ professionalism and meaningfully supporting their continuing growth was also a key priority.
“To ensure the professional growth of staff by equipping them with the tools to succeed is an invaluable contributor to effective and thriving organisations. Schools are complex educational environments and are no exception,” Ms Layfield expresses.
The solution
Luther College wanted its entire leadership team to complete the Clear Leadership program after seeing the positive effects of it on a single teacher who has since progressed to a principal role at another school.
“I’m positive that Clear Leadership had a lot to do with that,” Mrs Layfield says.
Having an entire group of leaders away from the school at a four-day program was not practical, so Monash Corporate Education worked with the College to deliver a tailored, incremental version. This approach also allowed staff to reflect on each section of content and embed their learning in practice before returning for the next session.
Two cohorts of the school’s leaders have now completed the program, and Monash has also delivered an abridged one-day version for middle managers.
The results
Luther College has seen positive behaviour change from participants and ongoing benefits for the school, with learning flowing through the staff cohort.
“The change that we’ve seen is the confidence to tackle the sticky and difficult conversations, even if the outcome is not perfect,” Mrs Layfield says.
“People are braver and feel like they’re standing on more concrete ground when navigating relationships and situations. There is also a deeper level of respect for differing experiences and views of others, and this is where problems can be worked through and solved more positively.”
“And it’s given us the special connection and language to be able to talk to each other about it – that’s been great.”
The College has also chosen Monash to support its students, engaging facilitators to deliver wellbeing and performance workshops for those pursuing elite pathways in sports and the performing arts.
Participant feedback
Ms Layfield says she would “unequivocally” recommend Monash Corporate Education to other principals and schools.
“Honestly, if I could put all our staff into the Clear Leadership program, I would do it tomorrow.
“I’ll continue to roll this out each year and make steady progress in developing clear, self-differentiated leaders throughout our community.”
Thoroughly enjoyed learning the simple and practical nature of the clear leadership course. With concrete examples and an easy to follow framework, the program will hold us as an organisation in good stead for strategic and cultural improvement.
What a fantastic learning experience! My leadership and communication with stakeholders will forever be changed after undertaking this course. Richard was an engaging and knowledgeable teacher.
— Marissa Pretty, Head of Year 9, Luther College