Career Lesson From a Head of School at Community School for Creative Education
Phillip's most significant career lesson, learned from observing ineffective leadership, is the importance of maintaining an "always open door" policy to foster connection and investment among staff. This approach, embodied both literally and figuratively, ensures decisions are "grounded in the reality of the people" served, preventing staff disinvestment and ensuring student-teacher continuity crucial for positive educational experiences.
Leadership, Communication, Community Building, Open Door Policy, Employee Investment
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Phillip Gedeon
Head of School
Community School for Creative Education
Connecticut College 2005
Loyola Marymount University 09’
Ethnic & Related Studies, Mathematics, Data Science, Statistics
Education
Operations and Project Management
Scholarship Recipient, Pell Grant Recipient, Took Out Loans, Worked 20+ Hours in School, First Generation College Student
Video Highlights
1. Accessibility and Open Communication: Phillip emphasizes the importance of maintaining open communication with staff, creating a welcoming and inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and heard. This approach fosters a sense of investment and shared purpose, contributing to higher retention rates and improved morale.
2. Leading from the Ground Up: Phillip's leadership philosophy is rooted in understanding the realities of those on the front lines. His experience highlighted the negative consequences of a disconnect between leadership and staff, leading to decreased morale and high turnover. This emphasizes the value of incorporating diverse perspectives into decision-making processes.
3. The Significance of Relationships in Education: Phillip's emphasis on creating strong connections between staff and students underscores the importance of fostering positive relationships in educational settings. He recognizes that consistent teacher presence and strong teacher-student relationships are crucial for student engagement and success. This insight is invaluable for aspiring educators and school leaders.
Transcript
What is one lesson that you have learned that has proven significant in your career?
One lesson I've learned has been proven significant. I believe what truly sets my leadership apart is the saying, "My doors always open." My employees will always say that, regardless of whether I agree or disagree with them.
My door literally is always open. Even if I'm in a meeting, nine times out of ten, unless it's a confidential conversation, the door is open. If I am not at school, my doors are open via email or text message.
I want the people I work for and alongside to know that they are valued. I want to hear their thoughts, their feelings, and their opinions. At the end of the day, I want them to feel invested in the organization we are managing and leading.
It's not just the leader at the top who makes decisions. The leader at the top has to make decisions grounded in the reality of the people in the community we serve. I learned this through modeling at a district level when I was a teacher.
I saw how that wasn't being embodied. The system hierarchy was so disconnected from classroom realities that staff became disinvested and disenchanted with our direction. This resulted in a lot of turnover.
People felt they needed to go to smaller systems to have a say in their work. This didn't result in students having constant teacher turnover. These students live by relationships; they need to feel connected to the educators and staff they see daily.
Without that connection, there's a lack of investment in their educational experience. I walked away from that experience thinking that wherever I go to lead, I want to ensure the ability to make connections and be heard within the entire system is not just communicated. It needs to be a principle in action, embodied visually and in practice.
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