Leading from the Middle

Research Report

Over the past two years esteemed international academic, Professor Christopher Day (University of Nottingham) and colleague, Dr Christine Grice (University of Sydney) have investigated the personal and organisational outcomes of the AIS Leadership Centre’s Leading from the Middle program.

Professor Day and Dr Grice’s new report provides significant insight and motivation to school executives keen to maximise the capabilities of their middle leadership to lead strategic change and create ongoing school improvement.

The AIS Leadership Centre

For further information please contact the AISNSW Leadership Centre.

Read the full report

Leading from the Middle

Leading from the Middle

This program is connected to the school's strategy. It is designed to increase the capacity and internal coherence of the middle leadership team so that it becomes more effective in the practices of leadership required in our current educational context. This means getting close to the teaching and learning that sits at the heart of the work of the school.

As such, learning is situated in the context of the school and tailored precisely to the needs of the participants. 

Acknowledging the practice-based experience the middle leaders bring to the program, participants safely develop understanding of self as leader and acquire the knowledge and skills to better practice the leadership required in this Age of Learning, Well-being and Identity (Hargreaves & Shirley, 2018, p. 124).

At a glance:

  • 5 days face-to-face formal learning over four terms; two consecutive days and three single days all facilitated by the AIS Leadership Centre
  • Pre-reading on leadership theory
  • Application of learning in between sessions
  • Sustained leadership of a strategic change initiative
  • Individual and collaborative experiences
  • Poster presentation of learning to an invited audience on Day 5.

Topics:

  • Leading with purpose and vision
  • Understanding self and the team
  • Developing a leadership philosophy
  • Strategic alignment; self, team and school
  • Change knowledge
  • Leading a strategic change initiative
  • Professional conversations; tackling the tough stuff.