How can my coaching be useful for your leadership?
The goal of leadership coaching is to provide a trained sounding board that becomes a spring board for realizing actionable goals. Leaders learn the art of awareness as they stand on their own shoulders to understand, build and grow their confidence and competencies.
My practice takes two main forms, both of which are grounded in the Framework for Collaborative Leadership and my breadth and depth of school leadership experience.
Ongoing sessions with an individual or small group over the course of the school year.
My Coaching Agreements generally last a school year. While Agreements with individuals are designed for client preference, most run from July to June. Coaching sessions are in person, by phone, or Zoom or a combination of all three. Over the course of the year, clients strengthen their sense of self while becoming more adept at and confident about the art and craft of leading and managing.
For many years, I also have run signature Mastermind Groups. Small groups of leaders meet monthly at my house over a breakfast I prepare. During the pandemic, they continued by Zoom. The three Mastermind Groups, on consecutive days, bring together Middle Managers, Instructional Coaches and Heads from different area schools. Coaching conversations allow participants a safe and supportive place for discussing actionable planning stemming from the many situations and personalities they deal with. Topics often include leading more productive meetings, managing personnel situations, creating empowering professional development, talking with demanding parents and strengthening equity and inclusion.
One of my monthly Mastermind Groups meeting over breakfast in my garden
“I leave each coaching session with Abigail so much better focused on the work I'm doing, for work and life, and with metaphors and models that weave themselves frequently into my daily thinking about the same.”
Workshops and Presentations for large or small groups.
Some workshops and presentations are multiple days. Others are repeat visits. Still others are one morning or one day. Topics can be as basic as “The Anatomy and Choreography Leadership Conversations” or pertain to an aspect of leadership that schools are grappling with, for example, “Navigating Challenging Conversations” or “Advancing Racial/Cultural Understanding and Practice”. Workshops and presentations are highly interactive. As participants are presented with facets of leadership, they share and discuss ideas with one another in the context of their experience and situations they wish to address. They leave with an actionable toolbox of leadership language, techniques and protocols.
“In total, your presentation was clear, informative, concise and meaningful, and I continue to be grateful for your time and investment in my school“
