We are Merit and Pille, trainees of the 6th class of the Internship Programme for Education Leaders. We spent the last ten weeks studying at LHV. We immersed ourselves in the world of the financial sector, which turned out to be much more human-centred and inspiring than we could have expected.
Our internship journey has been made possible by Fontes, the Good Deed Education Fund, and our employers, Saku Rural Municipality Government and Tallinn Education Department. Thank you for your trust!
Our leadership practice at LHV has now come to an end. It was a journey that gave us new perspectives, strengthened our leadership principles, and provided plenty of opportunities to learn and think along.
Leadership as a relationship, not a role
What we experienced at LHV clearly showed that a good leader is not only a guide or a decision-maker. A leader is first and foremost a person who listens and notices and builds a trust-based relationship with his or her team. Leadership is a dialogue, not a monologue – and in this dialogue, both sides are in the role of a learner.
A people-centred and flexible work culture
The fast and direct internal communication platform Slack keeps teamwork dynamic, understandable, and human. Reducing formality does not diminish professionalism. On the contrary, it supports cooperation and speeds up decision-making.
Just as impactfully, we experienced a one-to-one format of conversations, in which the leader and a team member meet regularly to talk about the current state of work and the team member’s development, well-being, and expectations. One-to-one conversations are the foundation of a strong leadership culture that we would also like to see more of in educational institutions. They are simple in format, large in content.
Values that create a common language
LHV’s operating principles are not just slogans on the wall – they are everyday tools for making decisions and guiding behaviour. We believe that a similar value-based approach is increasingly necessary in educational institutions. In this way, we can help solve difficult situations, maintain a common direction, and strengthen trust between the community and the school or kindergarten.
Leadership based on trust
Learning to understand LHV’s culture has provided us with valuable insights into leadership style, where trust, independence, and a supportive environment go hand in hand. Employees are given the freedom to act; on the other hand, there is support and a clear direction.
The same principle can be applied in education: trust the teacher, support the initiative, and normalise mistakes as part of the learning process.
Internship as value creation
Our internship was not just about looking on from the sidelines. We had the opportunity to participate, for example, in the Delta Career Fair, develop the leadership development programme, and participate in the work meetings of many teams. All of this taught us that proactivity and shaping one’s role are most important in both the learning experience and the development of the employer’s brand.
The way data, processes, and decisions go together is detailed on the one hand and strategic on the other. In any case, the lesson is universal and can be applied, among other things, in educational leadership.
Gratitude and appreciation
Warmth and professionalism were always united during this internship. Each of our meetings, conversations, and shared experience was special.
Our mentors, Age Leedo and Oliver Steinert, whose support we felt constantly, were invaluable. Our internship journey was carefully guided and maintained by Tea Tambur, the leader of the LHV internship program. Thank you!
It was a great experience.
