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 Jen: since I was the last to add the input, this is what the compilation of our list looks like. How do you think it is? I took the bolded words and the comments and put them together. I would say that coaching could possibly go lower because usually districts have somebody that is responsible for this other than the principal. Other than that, I personally think that it looks great. Now we can take the next few days to really tweak what is said under each item. That is what we are supposed to do if I am understanding this process correctly.

Sara: (2/18) I think this list is looking good! I'm fine if we switch coaching and facilitating. I'm basing that off of my feelings of the principal advocating for the school in District decision making. Renee: I think facilitating meetings should go before coaching. Coaching usually occurs one on one and I feel facilitatiing meetings affects more people therefore should go before coaching. If you are going to be a good coach you need to have the other skills first so you can instruct others.
 * I did move these two into their own numbers. I think the skills don't go hand in hand with each other so they should have their own place in the list. What does everyone think? Thanks Jen for recompiling the list.

1. Being a Visionary, Listening, Listening (//Jana- I agree that Listening is first)// Renee: After looking more into this I also agree that listening is important. Without it it would be very hard to get anywhere. Lambert, (2003), "When we truly listen and build on each other's ideas, we construct meaning and knowledge together" (p.23).
 * important to have a goal in mind and know what it will look like and how you will get there before moving any further, //but after listening to all the rest of the comments I agree that listening is probably number 1.//
 * I feel that listening is the foundation for all of the other skills and that is why I put it first on the list.
 * The only one I really feel strongly about is listening because I think the others are impossible without it.

2. Empowering others, Decision-making**, Decision-making, Empowering others** //Jana: (I think empowering others needs to be next because being able to do this...like listening it is a "base skill" that is needed for the others on the list. Those who can empower others can still be leaders without burnout)//
 * b e able to come up with solutions to accomplish your goal(s)
 * if they empower others, they can use the strengths and weakness of others and do not need to be great at everything if they are willing to delegate
 * sometimes a staff has many ideas, all with valid points, and in order to move on someone must make a decision. An effective leader needs to make those from time to time just keep the ball rolling.

Sara: As I've been thinking about this list, I'm beginning to understand a lot better that a good leader creates/encourages members of a team to be leaders. So I am in favor of making this the second on the list. I agree with Jana's statement about burnout with leadership. I dislike leaders that micro - manage everything and appreciate the respect when they empower me to do my work and trust me. If a leader can release some responsibility, it empowers others and makes the leaders job a bit lighter. Jen: I agree. When you are able to empower others other areas such as creativity are not as necessary. Are we keeping these two together? That works for me, but I think the next one should be listed as #4.

Renee: I am also in agreement. Encourgment can go along ways, especially with new teachers. After building relationships with the people you work with I feel more can get accomplished. Lambert, (2003), "Team memembers get to know one another's strengths and needs and accept the different members have different perspectives, interests, and strengths" (p.26).

3. Mentoring, Listening, Being a visionary, **Being a visionary** Jana: (//I don't have a big issue with either being a visionary or mentoring in this spot although I think decision making should be above visionary for reasons some of you listed above)// Sara: What do we think now for having this as our first three: Listening, Empowering Others and Decision Making? Does that work for everyone? If we do that, and I'm looking at this correctly, that would make being a visionary # 4? Renee, what do you think about that, originally being a visionary was your #1. (2/17) Renee: I'm okay with that. After further discussion I can agree with listening as well as others coming first.
 * gain other people’s ideas and show they are important and you value their input
 * need to set goals for group

4. Problem Solving, **Problem-solving, Problem Solving**, **Decision making** //Jana: (problem solving makes sense here)// Jen: Definitely, keep problem solving.
 * solve issues as they occur
 * needs to maintain control of group and make decisions when the group disagrees

5. Coaching, Presenting Information, Managing Conflict**,Managing Conflict** //Jana: (Managing conflict makes sense here)// Jen: I vote for Managing Conflict
 * be able to say what you want so others will learn and understand you
 * needs to maintain trust within the group

6. **Positive Reinforcement**, Empowering Others, Presenting Information,Facilitating Meetings //Jana: (I feel positive reinforcement works best here because I think presenting information and facilitating meetings are not as important in a leader as being able to positively motivate people)//
 * motivate others and give them the power to do well
 * cannot waste valuable time

Renee: I agree, If we can keep people positive I feel you make much more gains. 7. Managing conflict, Positive Reinforcement, Empowering Others, Problem Solving //Jana: (all used already)// 8. Decision making, Managing Conflict, Positive Reinforcement**,** Positive Reinforcement //Jana: (all used already)// 9. Being Creative**, Facilitating Meetings, Being Creative, Mentoring** //Jana (Mentoring seems like the best one- more important than the others)//
 * keep others working hard and feel like they are doing a good job
 * needs to take a variety of approaches to situations
 * keep the peace in the group
 * treat staff and others with respect
 * run meetings smoothly keeping others on task
 * encourage others to use their strengths

Sara: I believe Being Creative was #9 on my list. However, I agree with moving being creative further down the list. I like Jen's statement that if a leader empowers others, they can tap into the creativity of other team members. I'm okay with this skill being last. Jen: I think change this to Mentoring? Mentoring was not mentioned anywhere else on the list...

10. Being a visionary, Coaching**, coaching, Presenting Information** //Jana: (Coaching fits here for me)// Jen: Coaching works with me too. 11. Facilitating meetings, Mentoring, Mentoring, Coaching
 * Help others think through what they are trying to do, raise questions with each other rather than tell them what to do

//Jana: Facilitating meetings fit here for me because I think it is more important that presentation skills// Jen: Facilitating meetings makes sense. If they are poor time managers, it really only affects the wasted time of the teachers, but does not as thoroughly impact the students or the feelings of others towards the school. 12. Presenting information, Being Creative**, Facilitating Meetings, Being Creative** //Jana: Presenting information Jen: I would say that we should put being creative last. If they have vision and empower others, creativity is not as important. Sara: I put this skill presenting information more towards the middle of my list simply because in our school the principal is in charge of doing a lot of presenting at "outside" meetings. These meetings include budget issues, staffing issues and other issues that have a huge impact on our school. If the leader (in this case the principal) cannot present well, the fall out could be lost staff, lost funding or even lost community support.
 * provide assistance to others
 * keep things interesting
 * I put this last because if they empower others creativity is not as important

​ Jen: Sara, I would agree with you that presentation is underrated. In our district it is important to be an articulate advocate for your school.

Jana: I have two left so these would all be shifted up to make up #7 and 8 where I had used the other choices already and down to fit decision making at #3. Being creative would be last. I agree with the last comment about how it is not as important as some of the "people skills" on the list. Feel free to aruge. I have had a hard time deciding on a final list! They all seem important. :)//

Sara: If a leader empowers other and teams establish ground rules (norms) to follow during their meetings, how important is facilitate meetings for the leader to do if these routines are established? Renee: You make a very good point. If others are putting in their effort no one would have to facililitate. Being creative is some what important to keep things interesting.