Resource information
These elaborations, scenarios and analysis, aligned with Standards 1 and 2, outline the essential dispositions, knowledge, and skills for effective middle leadership.
Each resource offers clear explanations, practical scenarios and narrated analysis. The resources can be used for professional learning, reflection, or coaching conversations to enhance leadership practices.
Standard 1: Enabling dispositions
Focus area: Empathy
Definition: The ability to listen carefully and remain sensitive to another’s perspectives and emotions by setting aside any preconceived judgements and demonstrating genuine care about the lives, learning and wellbeing of their students, colleagues and school community.
Download the elaborations document to discover why empathy is a key disposition for middle leaders, alongside scenarios illustrating increasing levels of empathy.
Download Empathy elaborations (PDF)
Focus area: Interpersonal courage
Definition: The ability to take risks to challenge school and team norms, cultures and practices that prevent improved student learning and wellbeing.
Download the elaborations document to discover why interpersonal courage is a key disposition for middle leaders, alongside scenarios illustrating increasing levels of interpersonal courage.
Download Interpersonal courage elaborations (PDF)
Focus area: Open-mindedness
Definition: The ability to lead with an open-minded and curious disposition. Being consistently willing to examine and revise their own beliefs by listening to differing points of view from students, colleagues, principal and other senior leaders and the school community, and use evidence to check and modify their own beliefs.
Download the elaborations document to discover why open-mindedness is a key disposition for middle leaders, alongside scenarios illustrating increasing levels of open-mindedness.
Download Open-mindedness elaborations (PDF)
Focus area: Perseverance and resilience
Definition: The ability to persist until a problem is solved despite failures and setbacks. The ability to sustain their energy under pressure and adapt well to change.
Download the elaborations document to discover why perseverance and resilience are key dispositions for middle leaders, alongside scenarios illustrating increasing levels of perseverance and resilience.
Download Perseverance and resilience (PDF)
Standard 2: Enabling knowledge and skills
Focus area: Building relational trust
Definition: The ability to build and sustain a culture of trust in which teaching and learning improvement is shared, well supported and competently led.
Download the elaborations document to discover why building relational trust is a key skill for middle leaders, alongside scenarios illustrating increasing capability in building relational trust.
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Focus area: Self-reflection
Definition: The ability to intentionally reflect on own biases, values and perspectives to gain greater insight about oneself as an individual and leader and to seek feedback to engage in a continuous cycle of growth and development.
Download the elaborations document to discover why self-reflection is critical for effective middle leaders, alongside scenarios illustrating increasing levels of self-reflection.
Download Self-reflection (PDF)
Focus area: Solving complex problems
Definition: The ability to lead the analysis and resolution of complex problems related directly to teaching and learning and work through problems collaboratively, systematically and iteratively.
Download the elaborations document to discover why complex problem solving is critical for effective middle leaders, alongside scenarios illustrating increasing capability in complex problem solving.
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Focus area: Using relevant knowledge
Definition: The ability to use and source knowledge to enhance the attainment of improvement goals.
Download the elaborations document to discover why using relevant knowledge is critical for effective middle leaders, alongside scenarios illustrating increasing capability in this focus area.
