Dare to Lead™ 2-Day Workshop, February 9-10, 2023

The vulnerability of working at the leadership apex of an organization faces all leaders. At times, courage and confidence of conviction are all that a leader can rely upon when engaging in such work.

This learning opportunity will address the leadership capacities required of system education leaders, specifically the highlighted part of the leadership standards identified below:

SLQS – Quality superintendent leadership occurs when the superintendent’s ongoing analysis of the context, and the superintendent’s decisions about what leadership knowledge and abilities to apply, result in quality school leadership, quality teaching and optimum learning for all students in the school authority. Alberta Education Ministerial Order #003/2020

LQS – Quality leadership occurs when the leader’s ongoing analysis of the context, and decisions about what leadership knowledge and abilities to apply, result in quality teaching and optimum learning for all school students. Alberta Education Ministerial Order #002/2020

Dare to Lead™ (2018) is written by Brené Brown, who is a research professor at the University of Houston. Her books have frequently been best sellers and her TED Talk, “The Power of Vulnerability”, has over 30 million views and is one of the top five most-viewed TED talks of all time. More information about this work is available at https://brenebrown.com/

“I am excited for the opportunity to attend the Dare To Lead workshop on Feb 9-10, 2023 facilitated by Superintendent Mike McMann and Natalie Morris!  The workshop is guaranteed to provide great insights and strategies into helping leaders tackle some of the daily communication challenges with courage. As a system leader, I am looking forward to the learning with direct application as I strive for quality system and school leadership.  I know the experience will be engaging and interactive!” 
Cindy Escott, Superintendent, Evergreen Catholic Schools

Drawing on Brené Brown’s research and experiences as a leadership coach, Superintendent Mike McMann has received training to facilitate Dare to Lead™ learning opportunities.  With his colleague Natalie Morris as co-facilitator,  they will incorporate the Dare to Lead™ content with their application of their learning and experiences as a system education leader in Alberta. The two-day opportunity will provide a focus on this content and time for individual and group reflection and engagement.

Key ideas that will be facilitated at the two day workshop, and as  provided by  the  Blink list summary of the book,  include:

1. Far from being a weakness, vulnerability is an essential asset for innovation.
2. Courageous leaders give and solicit honest feedback.
3. Core values anchor and guide daring leadership.
4. Trust is an important and multifaceted aspect of our working relationships.
5. Learning how to fail helps us to be brave.
6. Perfectionism holds us back from self-improvement and true courage.

Michael McMann has over 25 years in the Alberta education system and grew up in rural Alberta. He has a passion for research and moving the dial on every kid in their learning.  Mike is a Dare to Lead facilitator and has valued spending time with Brené Brown. Mike believes training with Brené Brown and the Dare to Lead learning has had the single biggest impact on him personally and professionally. The district has seen a major decline in requirement for student discipline and a more connected staff through this training.

Natalie Morris is the Supervisor of Learning Services – Connectivity for Fort Vermilion School Division. She grew up in northern Alberta and has spent over 20 years in education. Natalie is passionate about connection and the belief that everyone is doing the best they know how. She has been a principal in numerous schools before taking on a district role.