The Learning Principal, by Kay Psencik, Frederick Brown, and Stephanie Hirsh, is Learning Forward’s latest book in a series focused on putting professional learning at the heart of improvement for leaders, teams, and systems. The book is full of practical tools, many of which are useful for leaders at multiple levels, including principals.

In the April 2021 issue of The Learning Professional, we shared a tool about implementing change effectively. In this issue, we’re featuring a tool about effective listening skills.

Chapter 6 of the book homes in on the role leaders play in providing feedback and coaching as well as the skills they need to fulfill that role effectively. Listening is one of those core skills. As the authors write, “Effective listening skills are a prerequisite to success in the coaching role. When principals are listening from others’ perspectives — listening to understand, listening without judgment or obligation to solve the problem or without having to be the expert — they give individuals and teams space to struggle with an issue, experiment with new ideas, and determine their own learning paths” (p. 88).

The following tool can help principals, coaches, teacher leaders, and others deepen their listening skills “so that individuals and teams begin to think in new ways, question current practices, and reflect about the impact of their work on student learning” (p. 89).

About The Learning Principal

The Learning Principal: Becoming a Learning Leader supports school leaders in developing a learning orientation to each challenge they face, ensuring they are ready to identify solutions that put students’ equitable outcomes at the fore.

Chapters cover principals’ roles and responsibilities related to designing professional learning, implementing curriculum, managing change, leveraging feedback and coaching, maximizing resources, and more. Online tools complement each chapter.

Purchase the book through Learning Forward’s bookstore at learningforward.org/store.