Immediacy is an important concept to school leadership because it is an actionable way to lead with empathy. It has an impact on people. It creates a sense of community and trust.
Let’s see immediacy in action.
Father A: Spends one day each month with his daughter.
Father B: Spends 20 minutes each evening with his daughter.
Both of them can create a quality relationship. But Father B has more immediacy. It’s a greater sense of involvement. It creates a detailed sense of
To use immediacy in school leadership:
- Be
visiblevisibly engaged. - Make frequent small talk.
- Lead with questions.
- Make appropriate physical contact (handshake, high five, etc.).
- Find opportunities to laugh with your staff members.
The more these types of actions are executed, the greater the immediacy. And this means a greater human connection – empathy.