S1 E43 Heartfelt Leadership: Supporting Staff Through the Holidays and Beyond

School Leader Soundbites

Welcome to School Leader Soundbites, a podcast dedicated to empowering K-12 leaders with the latest insights and strategies in marketing and communications! Today, we are discussing Heartfelt Leadership: Supporting Staff Through the Holidays and Beyond.

◾Acknowledge that there are seasonal stressors

-Holidays can bring about a lot of mixed emotions, stress, and financial strain

-In education, we are halfway through the school year and starting to feel exhausted- seasonal affective disorder can also impact staff and students this time of year

◾Lead with sensitivity to all cultural beliefs

-Some communities may not celebrate the same holidays we do or celebrate at different times

-Practice inclusivity and include acknowledgement of other cultures’ celebrations

◾Empathy-driven leadership- how to show that you care

-Some are born with a lot of natural empathy and some are not, that’s ok, you can develop it

-Create a safe space for communication and sharing ideas, make sure everyone feels safe

◾Be flexible and supportive if someone needs to take time off

-Support staff to find work-life balance and take time off if needed

-Mental health is so important, we must give them safe spaces to express things they might be struggling with

◾Promote self-care

-Model self-care- drink water, remind others to drink water, model and encourage walking

-Ideas: Positive affirmations, walking challenge, no meeting days, handwritten notes about what you are thankful for with staff

◾Look ahead and set the tone for the new year

-Set a positive tone for staff returning after the break, ask them about the fun things they did

-Refocus and sit inside of gratitude

-Share what you are doing with parents and encourage families to do the same

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