Dr. Carol Radford (CEO of Mentoring in Action) Lily Sanabria has created an authentic reflective process to reveal our values and see what has influenced us as leaders. My responses to the journal questions deepened my own understanding of my leadership choices and brought up memories of my actions as a leader. I highly recommend The Master Leadership Journal to mentors and leaders in all professions because by looking at our own actions and beliefs we can more clearly serve the greater good.

Christine (Ed-Leader) My initial reaction to this document is “I love it!” My second reaction to this document is “I want to share it with everyone!” I’ve already sent some of the reflections to my colleagues who I know would benefit from reading them during this crazy busy time of year.

Lorie (Ed-Leader) First and foremost I think this is an excellent document for educators. I found that I started thinking for myself about why I am where I am. What actually brought me here and how can I continue to move on. It made me think about my foundation in previous careers and how I can be a great leader to all.

Christine D. (Ed-Leader) As leaders, we cannot be unhealthy and expect to promote health in others, just like we cannot lead by example if we are not in the mindset to model excellent leadership. A reset for when we get “un” healthy, discouraged, weak, and forget our purpose. It reads like a “How to” manual for people who want to inspire others to lead, and the reader can just feel that Lily wants to add value and meaning to your life through her work. That goal-oriented mindset is contagious! This is a resource of carefully crafted leadership tools. Only the big difference is that it comes from the heart of someone who has experienced failure and challenge and has risen again and again, the perfect example of a true leader “walking the walk” and not just giving unsolicited advice.

Charlene (Ed-Leader) The introduction to this journal speaks volumes about the reality of what new and seasoned educators are facing currently, “Social/emotional skills appear to be diminishing; impulsive and reactionary responses seem to rule our communication…” This is an old challenge with a new twist. The questions provided in this document are a valuable source to reflect upon when collaborating.

Kristin (Ed-Leader) I totally enjoyed reading her document about leadership. I feel that many things stood out to me, but the points that resonated with me the most were the points about what types of leaders inspire us the most. These questions require mentors and novice teachers to think deeply about leadership and how to make a difference. One of the questions was about how do we take care of ourselves? This question is a great resource and thought provoking. It allows us all to think about how to help ourselves, so we can in turn help others.

Amanda (Ed-Leader) The Master Leadership Journal was a great way to self-reflect on my leadership. Through this journal, I was able to reflect on my path to leadership which included all of the people along the way who have inspired me and have brought me along in their own journey as leaders, which I hope to do with others. I think this is a great document to share with novice and mentors as well as teams in my school and district. It is important for everyone to have an opportunity to reflect on these questions and do some mindful journaling and then to share together. This is a great way to connect and build positive relationships and to see the benefit of growing and leading together to strengthen our staff, our students and our district.

Carol (Ed-Leader) What I like about Lily’s questions is that they encourage you to think and reflect on leadership. It invites the possibility of leadership. School systems generally are not geared toward risk taking and change. I think the view that Superintendents, Principals and Vice Principals are leaders but that teachers aren’t, is antiquated. Lily’s questions invite teachers to view themselves as Ed-Leaders.

Debbie (Ed-Leader/Coach) This document has the potential to be very powerful as it encourages leaders to pause and engage in focused self-reflection and thought. The questions she poses require a great deal of introspection about ones’ pedagogy, inspirations, collaborative abilities, professional successes, education reform, professional development and mindfulness. Considering the answers to these questions will help leaders determine if their leadership mindset correlates to their actions. I think it would be beneficial for teacher leaders to answer, discuss and reflect upon these questions to help ensure that those charged with guiding colleagues share a common conviction.

Lloyd (Ed-Leader/Coach) As I read though this document I did think that it is a great way to collect one’s thoughts and a great place to begin one’s journey into leadership. I also thought that it is a simple but thorough in the approach. I could not help but think that it is a great way to draw someone out of themselves. It is a great way to inspire and get the person thinking about leadership and personal growth.

Howie (Ed-Leader/Coach) --- Much of what The Master Leadership Journal references in this document really stands out to me. First and foremost, Lily seems adamant about the importance of social emotional learning, even more than academic content. I couldn’t agree more, as creating a safe learning environment where students feel valued is the first, paramount step to creating any sort of academic learning. I also felt as though the questions she proposed spoke to the importance of leaders engaging in self-reflection. Many of the questions focus on a progressive and active approach to constantly learning and refining one’s own leadership style, which seems to be essential to the consistent growth necessary in developing as a leader, mentor, and educator.

Shannon (Ed-Leader) I love these questions and think they can be easily adapted for monthly mentor meetings, mentor training and new teacher orientation. I could also see us adapting and using these questions during our mentor training, to kick off our monthly meetings (as icebreakers) and have teachers share their responses.

Barbara (Ed-Leader) The Master Leadership Journal reinforced the fact that leaders and leadership styles can differ greatly. The reflective questions allow an aspiring leader an opportunity to think about what qualities they may want to emulate from various examples. As a teacher and a mentor, reflective practices can assist in the growth mindset approach.

Lorie (Ed-Leader) I like The Master Leadership Journal. The quotes are great and the message too! Lily couldn’t have described the world we live in any better…”In a world where social/emotional skills appear to be diminishing; impulsive and reactionary responses seem to rule our communication; and high-stress, low-trust cultures are not only commonplace, they are revered as “high-achieving” and “rigorous””. I find myself easily discouraged at times because of the world we live in, but as an aspiring/working leader I strive to keep my chin up and persevere for change!!!!!

Chris (Ed-Leader) My initial reaction this document is that it would be an important exercise for all mentors and novice teachers to use on an ongoing basis during their leadership journey. Reading the questions and quotes in this document and taking the time for meditation, reflection, and planning will help us learn what makes us an effective leader, which in turn helps us to help others with the process of finding their own leadership skills. In my opinion, it really all comes down to one question, “How well are we preparing those who are preparing our children?”

Jean (Ed-Leader) The questions in The Master Leadership Journal are simple and yet complex. They challenge the reader to be reflective and think deeply about what it takes to be a caring, effective leader who will make a difference.