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Transform Your Board Partnership with Three Critical Questions What if three simple questions could significantly strengthen your partnership with your Board Chair? In the daily pressures of school leadership, clear communication, defined roles, and authentic support often become overshadowed. Yet, these elements are crucial for strong governance and effective leadership. As a Head of School, you deserve a supportive and strategic relationship with your Board Chair. Here are three critical questions your Board Chair should regularly ask you: "How are you doing, and is there anything the board or I can do to better support you?"   This question demonstrates sincere care, making your well-being and effectiveness a priority. "What strategic issues or concerns should we focus on together?"   This question keeps the board strategically aligned with your leadership vision, without drifting into operational details. "What can the board do differently to help you lead effectively?"   This question encourages openness, reinforces clear governance boundaries, and fosters trust. Consider sharing these questions with your Board Chair to nurture a healthy, collaborative partnership. Your leadership—and your school—will greatly benefit from it. For support in board development and governance workshops tailored to your school's needs, reach out to The Leader Network —we're here to help! Did you find this post useful? Be sure to subscribe to The Leader’s Lens , our blog offering regular insights designed to inspire and elevate your leadership journey.

The most effective leadership teams are built on trust, shared purpose, and the courage to have the right conversations—together. Too often, we picture leadership as a solo act—visionary, driven, maybe even heroic. But when we work closely with independent schools around the world, a different truth emerges: sustainable leadership is always a team sport. At The Leader Network , we’ve partnered with over 100 schools globally—supporting heads, boards, and senior teams as they define priorities, lead transitions, and navigate complexity. One thing is clear: the schools that thrive don’t just manage their leadership teams—they build  them. In our April Roundtables , we explored what it really takes to create and nurture an effective leadership team. Not the surface-level stuff, but the deeper work: trust, shared clarity, and courageous conversation. The kind of work that shifts culture and strengthens alignment from the inside out. Here are three questions that stood out—ones every school leadership team should be asking regularly: Do we share a clear sense of why this team exists —and does everyone see their purpose in it? When purpose is shared and personal, alignment turns into momentum. How do we show up when things get hard —and are those responses true to our values? Teams that lead well in the hard moments are the ones others want to follow. What’s holding us back from doing our best work —and what conversations aren’t we having yet? The best teams surface what’s stuck, name what’s hard, and move forward together. Ready to strengthen your leadership team? Let’s build something that lasts. Whether it’s a facilitated retreat, a team coaching series, or a strategic workshop , we’d love to help. Visit our website to start team building , and learn more about all of our valuable services! Questions? Comments? Contact us . We're looking forward to helping you build your dream team. With best wishes and high hopes— Jim Best Did you find this post useful? Be sure to subscribe to The Leader’s  Lens , our blog offering regular insights designed to inspire and elevate your leadership journey.

School Leaders: This month’s Leader Network Roundtables focused on a critical theme: fostering meaningful dialogue in a polarized world—an essential skill for creating a culture of understanding and growth in school communities. Here are three principles to guide this work: Create Safe Spaces for Dialogue:  Leadership requires ensuring everyone feels heard.  Building an environment where tough conversations happen without fear is foundational. (Resource: Managing a Polarized Workforce, Harvard Business Review )​ Lead with Empathy and Understanding:  Even in disagreement, recognizing the dignity of others helps bridge divides. (Resource: Dignity Index , Tim Shriver & Tom Rosshirt) Ask Honest, Open Questions:  Thoughtful questions lead to deeper connections. Focus on listening, not just responding. (Resource: Conversing When Disagreeing Politically, American Psychological Association )​. We encourage you to reflect: When have you seen your school engage in its most open, productive conversations? What leadership practices made those conversations possible? How can you expand on those practices for even deeper connections? By leveraging these insights, we can continue to lead with empathy, clarity, and courage—helping our communities grow stronger and more resilient. With best wishes and high hopes, Bernie & Jim Focus Your Leader's Lens – Sign Up for TLN's Services!