Best Practice

SONAR leadership and a pedagogy of connection

Senior leadership Middle leadership
School leaders should ‘seek first to understand, then to be understood’ if they are to build relationships – and that requires active listening. John Dabell explains the principles of SONAR leadership


So many staff complain that their senior leaders don't have time to listen.

Leadership and listening are as old as the hills – Homer’s Iliad warns leaders what is at stake if they refuse to listen (Simard, 2022).

A core value of successful headteachers is problem-solving. When they see an issue that will impact on their school, they are “programmed” to move into assessment, collaboration, and innovation to manage the problem. This starts with listening.

Senior leaders hone their ability to actively listen. This involves being 100% present and being relational and being able to empathise (Holt, 2021). It helps them keep their finger on the pulse of complex change.

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