Name: Sedem Gidiglo

Title: Mr

Organisation: Cadem Education Consult

I am passionate about everything in education. I have about 15 years of experience in education and 10 years in educational leadership. I currently work as a headmaster and an educational consultant.

Thank you to the 2,000 leaders who’ve generously done the 7 Questions on Educational Leadership!

I hope Sedem's answers will encourage you in your leadership journey. Enjoy!

Cheers,

Jonno White

1. What have you found most challenging as an Educational Leader?

Getting younger educators to understand that being a teacher is beyond going to the classroom to teach rather every aspect of your life must be a model for all.

2. How did you become an Educational Leader? Can you please briefly tell the story?

I started as a teacher in a basic school and apparently, my superiors saw my dedication to the work and the influence I had on both students and colleague teachers. When there was a vacancy for a leadership position, I was handpicked and allowed to lead the team at the age of 25 and it has been a great experience and journey so far.

3. How do you structure your work days from waking up to going to sleep?

I have made it a habit to plan my day the previous day. To make work life easy, I have a one-year calendar that details what is to be done every day, week, and month In an academic year while allowing room for spontaneous activities. My day is quite routine. Work up 4:45 am to Beat traffic and get to work at latest 6:45 am. Get through work day till 4:30 pm then get home around 5:45 pm. Spend time with family till 9 pm before going to sleep.

4. What's a recent lesson you've learned for the first time or been reminded of as an Educational Leader?

At all costs have Trust in your subordinates but do not let your guard down.

5. What's one book that has had a profound impact on your journey as an Educational Leader so far? Can you please briefly tell the story of how that book impacted you?

Barry Sylvestein’s How to Manage People. For someone who came into leadership at age 25 in a country like Ghana, managing people was going to be a challenge. However, this book opened my mind and I was able to navigate through the challenges.

6. If you could only give one piece of advice to a young educator who aspires to be an Educational Leader, what would you say to them?

Read a lot, be knowledgeable, and show commitment and dedication to the work.

7. What is one meaningful story that comes to mind from your time as an Educational Leader, so far?

Recently, I had a former colleague who worked under me call me to express his gratitude for how I impacted his life. According to him, the in-service training I gave him equipped him so much that at his current workplace, they keep asking how he knew the things he knew. This was refreshing and humbling to hear.