Sports DayToday we are thrilled to have a guest blogger, Darine Amhaz Beydoun, head of the Ayoub International School. She has been working with our framework for six months. Will you be courageous like Darine and share your leadership reflection in the comments section below?

Darine’s reflection on her work toward becoming a Transformative Leader follows: 
Working with the Ed to Save the World framework is exciting, like learning new subjects! I have many years of experience in running schools but since I started my leadership sessions with Julie, I have changed my way of thinking. I feel that everyday is a challenge for me because everyday I learn new things and try to apply them in my work.
I used to think that I was responsible for everything and that I needed to do all the responsibilities myself. Now I try to share the responsibilities with others.
I used to organize all the events and the procedures. Now I ask the teachers to share their ideas with me and take the lead on different projects.
I used to direct the teachers and assign them to do their work. Now I insist on stimulating them and challenging them to take ownership of the success of their professional growth.
Now I better understand people and try to always think positively toward them. People that I work with are human beings, not machines. Sometimes it’s not easy to try to empathize with them or keep from blaming them for lack of success. But the ideas of the leadership sessions stimulate me to insist on trying to see their point of view and working to interact with them from that perspective. The resources, especially Leadership and Self-Deception improve my life in different areas such as team building, conflict resolution, and personal growth and development.
Sometimes the ideas that Ed to Save the World offer seem strange to me, especially when they talk about the future of schools. But after thinking about them I realize the truth in the ideas: that all students need new skills and motivation to want to excel in this new world, and to learn how to think about what they encounter – not just memorize it.
Overall I think I have become a better leader (and even a better mom!) in trying to be a generative leader, one who sees others’ points of view, tries to include them in decisions and models the example of a life-long learner for both students and teachers.
— Darine Beydoun, Educational Director, Ayoub International School, email: aisfreetown@hotmail.com
Share your leadership reflection below! How have you tried to be a better leader for the new era of schools?