Leadership Connector, Safety

Everyone has the need to feel safe; physically, emotionally and psychologically safe. When we feel safe, we free ourselves to become complex and reflective thinkers. As a leader, it is my job to reassure the teachers, staff, students, and parents that our school is a safe place to be. Just as a teacher desires and reassures her students to feel safe, an administrator should handle the teachers in the same manner. We require our teachers to show up each day and perform amazing tasks....if there isn't a sense of safety and it is something that weighs heavy on their minds, they will not be free to successfully accomplish all that we need them to.
I see how these leadership connectors intertwine with one another. When a staff receives clear communication, feels supported, and safe they also feel valued. They are able to become more productive and creative at their profession. They begin to trust their leaders and know they are there to cheer them on. When these leadership connectors are in place, leaders are then allowed to further develop those skills desired by the staff.
After teaching for 17 years, I am thrilled to say that I have worked for amazing leaders who have always made me feel safe: safe from physical harm, safe to try new instructional strategies, safe to make mistakes, safe to speak, safe to share, safe to ask questions. I believe that because I am a risk taker, I need to know that it's ok if things don't go as planned, or if I hit a bump in the road...I can continue on and overcome. It's our job as educators and leaders to allow our fellow teachers to feel the same, so that they, in turn, can lead the students in the same manner.