Poetry, The ‘L’ Word, and Leadership
April is poetry month. I yearn for this month every year, in part because the weather starts to cheer up where I am, but mostly because I indulge in heavy doses of poetry. This year I’m gorging on the poems of Mary Oliver, because she so insistently urges us to consider the real news around us, which is nature’s abundance and surprises and awe-inspiring-ness. Such an antidote to the daily shock of ‘other’ news. Mary is keeping me deeply in love with the world.
I also adore the poetry of my Irish compatriot John O’Donohue, so was delighted to see this offering on LinkedIn the other day. Read it aloud if you can for full effect (Irish lilt optional).
To me, this is the essence of Love-Based Leadership. It starts with cultivating love of self so that one can effectively serve others with love. It goes on to describe the essential elements of loving behavior: ‘deep listening,’ ‘wholesome words,’ ‘appreciative gaze,’ ‘held dignity.’
What if this were the basis of school leadership? Imagine school communities where all members are the beneficiaries of such love! Research suggests more engagement, motivation and loyalty; enhanced feelings of connectedness and psychological safety; greater innovation and creativity; all of which leads to higher performance on a range of measures. What’s not to love about that? I bet some good poetry comes out of such schools, too.
Last I looked, the ‘L’ word was not on the list of the US government’s forbidden words in schools (a list that includes ‘women’). Shhhh. Let’s keep it that way!
Leaders whose gender starts with W, come join me and other heart-centered leaders for Sidecar Summit Portugal 2025, where we’ll examine the essential tenets of love-based leadership, implications of this approach on school pedagogy/ culture/ operations, and practical opportunities for putting this approach into action for the well-being of all school community members. It will be, in John O’Donohue’s words, a 'true adventure of growth.’
We may even throw in some poetry!
Details and Practicalities:
Location: Quinta Carvalhas, a 150-year-old working farm an hour north of Lisbon. We'll take over the place, a lovely haven for reflecting on the vital importance of love in school leadership.
Dates: Monday, Nov. 17 (late afternoon) through mid-morning Friday, Nov 21, 2025
Price: Accommodation options include
single room occupancy for those prioritizing privacy ($1,795 for early birds registering by May 15; $1,995 regular)
double room occupancy for those who appreciate company and a savings of a few hundred dollars ($1,495 for early birds; 1,695 regular).
Prices for each option are inclusive of accommodations, all meals, some Summit surprises, and priceless connections; they don’t include travel to/from the Summit site.
Important Note: to preserve a feeling of camaraderie and intimacy, we will cap the number of participants at Sidecar Summit. We recommend you register early to save your spot. A $500 deposit will secure your place.
For those of you keen to join us though unable to secure PD funding until next academic year, please email me before the early bird deadline and let me know. We can work something out (I’m loving that way).
Yours in leading from our hearts,
Bridget
