In this episode, principal of League City Elementary, Xan Freudenberg and Kelley Lane, director of Learning Technologies share how, as an aspiring leader, they can work to provide resources and remove obstacles for others.
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Hello, team CCISD It's time for another episode of our staff podcast series, CCISD Gold Star Leaders, a podcast dedicated to sharing our CCISD leadership beliefs and inspiring leaders at all levels to embrace their leadership qualities.
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I'm your host, Lindsey Hunt. And in the studio with me today are two leaders who embody our last CCISD leadership belief that a CCISD leader provides resources and removes obstacles.
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Translated, these are leaders dedicated to serving and supporting others. I want to welcome the principal of League City Elementary, Xan Freudenberg and Kelley Lane, director of Learning Technologies. Thank you both for being here with me today.
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Thank you for having us.
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thank you. Are so excited to be here.
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Before we jump in the discussion, I'd like to frame the conversation for our listeners. So today we'll share how you as an aspiring leader can work to provide resources and remove obstacles for others.
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We'll talk about why it's important to focus on continuous improvement, how to address obstacles that stand in the way of a goal, and why it's important to model behaviors for others. Okay, let's do this. Xan, I'd like to start by having you explain why this belief is so important to you as a leader.
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Sure. I believe that everyone involved in making decisions for students must have a growth mindset and a voice at the table. I believe it is important for staff members to feel respected and safe in their work environment. And as a leader, I never want to hold someone back from learning more, and I absolutely love learning alongside of our teachers.
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I believe that being transparent with others and modeling how to be a risk taker is important as well. If a staff member wants to try something new that he or she believes would support student growth, I say let's go for it and then we'll come back to the table and discuss the results later. We can always learn more from each other in our own experiences that we have.
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That's wonderful. So, Kelly, what are your thoughts? What about you?
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Well, I.
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Embrace the belief that providing resources and removing obstacles for others is pivotal for several reasons. First, by focusing on continuous improvement and environment is created where team members are encouraged to develop their skills and knowledge leading to personal and organizational growth. Also, addressing the obstacles proactively demonstrates a commitment to a team success. It shows others that you're willing to tackle those challenges head on, which can inspire confidence and trust among your team members.
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And finally, modeling the behaviors for others sets a standard for the kind of work ethic and attitude you expect within the team. It also establishes that culture of accountability and excellence.
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That's incredible. Xan, so what are ways that aspiring leaders can work towards continuous improvement?
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You know, I look for people that want to learn more each and every day and how to improve student success. We want our students loved to love coming to school, and we need to ensure them that we are doing everything that we can for them while they're with us. I respect those that are not afraid to ask questions and are not afraid to step into new challenges to support students and colleagues.
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Being a risk taker is important in our positions.
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Kelly Do you have anything to add to that?
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Yes, I'd like to. I was thinking that shaping mindsets to embrace that continuous learning. Actively listening to different perspectives and valuing the voice and contributions of others. And also really important, encourage empathy within yourself and with others.
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That's hard to do, too.
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Absolutely. And so with that regular feedback, it's just critical as it provides awareness for personal and professional growth and that commitment itself will help grow an environment of continuous improvement and excellence.
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So I know that addressing obstacles can at times be a sensitive subject. So I want to talk about how should an aspiring leader address or remove obstacles that stand in their way of a defined goal? While maintaining a positive culture and keeping that end in mind? Xan what what are your thoughts there?
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You know, we always need to bring back our why and keep that mission and vision in the forefront. Our our students deserve that from us. Staying positive about situation as that arise will help us solve the problems and find a solution. We've got to work together. And at League City we believe that we can do anything together.
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It's a great motto to live by. What are your thoughts?
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And I love that saying always bringing it back to your why and we to we encourage our team members to voice their concerns and ideas openly. We want to create that safe space for conversations, to help identify obstacles early so that we can collaborative can leverage to find solutions, emphasizing the word collaboratively because that collective ownership and solutions creates buy in.
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Also, it's important to view those obstacles as opportunities. Viewing obstacles through this lens allows you to analyze, learn, win, fail, adjust and grow.
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And
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that goes back to that continuous growth mindset. So I love it. Okay, so what are some ways that an aspiring leader can model desired behaviors while taking steps for others to exhibit CCISD Core Values.
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Xan,
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I'm I'm available. I any time there's an opportunity to help, I make sure I'm there. That includes every piece of every puzzle during the school day and after. And this includes helping all staff members. There's been times as a leader that I feel I need to model even how to respond to hard conversations while illustrating those core values as well.
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I believe that being kind and wearing a smile goes a long way.
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And I.
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I love that. And also, you know, that shows that you care with your words and your actions. And also, just to be sure, to lift up all staff, no matter where they are in their journey and experience. There is not a one size fits all when it comes to working with people. And finally, lead with transparency and trust.
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Transparency is sharing timely and relevant information with your staff. Whereas confidentiality is an obligation that we have to protect sensitive information. Be aware not to confuse the two.
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Transparency builds trust. Remember, it's always easier to write the narrative together instead of revising a narrative generated from the unknown.
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Culture.
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On our campuses and in our teams. So let's wrap with asking each of you a question and ask you to think back
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Along your leadership journey.
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to a time where you maybe felt stuck. I know we might have some listening today that just feels stuck and need a little motivation. So what would each of you share with yourself, knowing what you know today?
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So I'll start with you.
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You know, there's there's many things that I could probably think back and and reflect on. But one of the things that I continuously share, too, with staff members or aspiring leaders is that parents are advocates for their kids. Right. Listening is key. Listening to a parent's concern is important and that the reason for any frustration can be uncovered during that discussion.
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I always say 99.9% of the time. The reason for any frustration boils down to the lack of communication or little communication.
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Very, very true. So, Kelly, talk to your your newbie self. What would you have shared with you?
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I have so much I could tell myself
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More then.
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definitely embrace change. It's essential. Obstacles that we think are challenges are really just opportunities to expand our mindset, change or refine our actions and elevate our behaviors. As a leader, you will face both obstacles and challenges. But is how we respond to those that defines who we are?
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Nice.
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that's, you know, taking that challenge and turning it into an opportunity, such a positive frame to something that can be challenging and difficult. So I love hearing that. All right. Well, this concludes our time together. Thank you both for being here, for sharing with me, sharing your leadership beliefs with our listeners. I have observed firsthand what your teams think of you and how they respond and engage with you.
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And it's amazing to watch. And I know both of you inspire others daily. So thank you for being dedicated to your continuously improving yourself and the leaders around you and working hard to serve and support your team. So.
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And for our listeners, I hope you're able to take away that challenges can be opportunities. That's a pretty powerful thought and that opening up conversation, transparency, building trust is a very important characteristic to be able to embody and not to confuse those two between confidentiality and transparency.
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thank you all. I'd like to close by thanking our staff for coming along this podcast journey with us. I hope you found this series helpful, relatable and actionable. And please know that this district is full of supports and resources to help you along your aspiring leadership journey. This is your reminder to take advantage of those resources and our support teams if you haven't already.
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So thank you for what you do daily for the students of CCISD. Take care.