Relational Leadership: Leading with Connection

As David Giles (2019, Relational Leadership: A Phenomenological Perspective) reminds us, “Relational leadership is not about knowing all the answers; it’s about creating a space where people feel valued and empowered to contribute.” It is this relational space that becomes the foundation for growth, innovation, and collaboration.

If you’ve been searching for ways to strengthen your leadership, deepen your connections, and foster a culture of collaboration and growth, my upcoming workshops on relational leadership might be just what you need.

Presence

One of the key elements of relational leadership is presence. Think of a moment when you felt completely engaged in a conversation or interaction. Perhaps you were supporting a kaiako through a professional growth cycle or listening to a parent share their hopes for their child. In that moment, your presence (your willingness to be fully there) made all the difference. This kind of attunement is what relational leaders cultivate. It’s about noticing the unspoken, sensing the emotional undercurrents, and responding with empathy.

Key Relational Sensibilities

My upcoming ECC workshops will xplore the key relational sensibilities that underpin effective leadership: attunement, intentionality, and contextual sensitivity. But they won’t just stop at theory. Together, we’ll look at how these principles translate into practical skills and competencies that you can take back to your own setting. For example, have you ever paused to consider how your relational awareness (your ability to pick up on subtle cues in interactions) affects the atmosphere of your centre? Or how fostering mutual influence, where every team member feels heard and valued, can strengthen collective decision-making? Through engaging discussions, reflective exercises, and real-world scenarios, we’ll explore how to weave these ideas into your leadership practice.

Being an Influencer

Relational leadership has the ability to transform your learning community through implementing professional growth cycles while being mindful of your leadership presence and skills. Instead of viewing these cycles as a box-ticking exercise, relational leaders approach them as a space for genuine inquiry and connection. They ask questions that invite reflection: What strengths do you see in your practice? How can we, together, nurture these strengths further? By framing feedback as a dialogue rather than advice, they create an atmosphere of trust where kaiako feel safe to explore and grow.

As Giles (2019) so beautifully puts it, “Leadership is always about relationships. It is through relationships that we can support each other to flourish.” This notion of flourishing extends not only to kaiako but also to tamariki and their whānau. Relational leadership is about creating an environment where everyone feels valued and has the space to thrive.

Of course, relational leadership isn’t without its challenges. It requires a willingness to be vulnerable, to admit when you don’t have all the answers, and to navigate the messiness of human relationships. But the rewards are profound. When leaders lead with connection at the forefront, they create environments where everyone (children, families, and educators) feels valued and supported.

The truth is, leadership is a deeply relational endeavour. Whether you’re inspiring your team, supporting a struggling kaiako, or building partnerships with whānau, your ability to connect on a human level will determine the quality of your outcomes. My workshops are an opportunity to step into that space with clarity, confidence, and a renewed sense of purpose.

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