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Folio Collaborative Blog post thumbnail titled Building and Maintaining Relationships: A guide to "People-First Leadership"

Building and Maintaining Relationships: A Guide to ‘People-First Leadership’

article
April 1, 2024

By Bridget Johnson and Meredith Ford

In the fast-paced world of school leadership, it’s easy to get caught up in the daily whirlwind of tasks and responsibilities. However, amidst the chaos, it’s crucial to remember the foundation of any successful institution: relationships.

Understanding the Challenge

School leaders, like everyone else, crave meaningful connections. Traditional supervision ratios often make this difficult, but proactively nurturing these connections is essential for a thriving school culture.

Why it Matters

Strong relationships support employee retention and a positive working environment. They are not distractions — they are strategic investments in your organization’s success.

Practical Strategies for People-First Leadership

  • Self-Reflection & Awareness: Reflect on your leadership style and establish professional boundaries.
  • Modeling Empathy: Admit mistakes, show compassion, and listen without interrupting.
  • Open Communication: Foster feedback and transparency in team dynamics.
  • Trust Building: Be consistent, fair, and timely in your support of others.

How Folio Can Help

Folio schools build supportive cultures through regular, structured conversations. Their approach emphasizes ongoing dialogue, reflection, and visibility into what matters most to team members.

“The conversation is the relationship.” — Susan Scott

Read the Full Blog Post

“The conversation is the relationship.”

Deans’ Testimonials

I think it’s a great way to remind us why we love our jobs, and I also like the practical components.
Super helpful and informative, a great way to connect with colleagues in person I never would have met face to face! And it brings to the forefront topics I might not have thought about yet - you don’t know what you don’t know!
I will absolutely recommend to colleagues - it seems like an essential part of Professional Development for Deans.
I would recommend it to colleagues wholeheartedly because of the discussion of focused issues specific to independent schools and deans and bringing issues or topics to my attention that I didn't know I should be thinking about.
It is helpful to hear from Deans' because, as someone mentioned, it is nice to get off the Dean island. Yes, I did recommend it. It is informative and helpful.
Deans' Roundtable is an incredible way to connect with peers and hear from dynamic voices about a school's and dean's opportunity to help young people belong and develop.
One of the best opportunities for deans to get together and talk about the issues we are facing now. You will learn from your peers, be inspired by new ideas and creative problem-solving, and build a list of contacts and resources to return to. This type of experience is what makes the work we do sustainable and rejuvenating.
The Deans’ Roundtable is a fantastic opportunity to connect with your fellow administrators. The information is invaluable and inspirational.
As a first-year associate dean of students, the networking, the presentations, and the inspirations at the Dean's Roundtable promises to help me tackle all the multifaceted issues that I know will arise in year two.
It is a great introduction to the wider community that all share the same concern of making our schools as great as possible for our students.
The Dean's Roundtable was a great opportunity to listen, learn, and get motivated to go back to my school and jump back into the work.
DRT is an amazing conference - perhaps one of the most helpful ones I have attended as a Dean of Students. The programming presented and the relationships formed are invaluable.

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