IDENTITY
The Identity dimension focuses on an individual's internal awareness and representation of what it actually means to be a leader. It is about the mindset and resulting representational state of actually being a leader and is not about any identity that is bestowed by a job title, status in an organisation or position in a structural hierarchy.
The constituent elements in Identity are:
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Positional Behaviour
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Personal Power
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Belief
Positional Behaviour
Positional Behaviour is focused on an individual's own perception and identity as a leader, and their subsequent ability to motivate, influence and guide others’ actions. It is not about their status, job title or the degree of authority you are perceived to exert in an organisational hierarchy or structure.
Personal Power
Personal Power is focused on an individual's ability to recognise and accept their internal state of mind leading to the capacity to exert power on their own emotions and actions. It is not about holding power over another person or influencing or manipulating externally.
Belief
Belief is focused on an individual's internal perspective and core view of themself as a leader. It is a state of mind that feeds into their identity.
In each dimension, one of the behavioural elements is weighted (i.e. it carries more weight in scoring for the dimension) because it scaffolds the other elements and contributes to other behaviours across the framework. As you consider the Identity dimension, please bear in mind that the weighted element is Personal Power.
Here are some questions to consider in relation to Identity behaviour in your school.
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How would you expect a senior leader in your school to behave?
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How would you expect a middle leader in your school to behave?
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As a leader, how do you behave?
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What Identity behaviours can you identify that are making a positive contribution to the school's self-evaluation process?
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What behaviours are inhibiting and/or detrimental to the school's self-evaluation process?
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How can you use the language and vocabulary of Identity to promote dialogue and discussion with different leaders in your school?
