Professional and personal development of directors of general educational organizations during intercourse period

The research problem and the rationale for its relevance. The performance of many different functions by principals of general education organizations necessitates their continuing professional and personal development. However, professional development courses (due to strict time constraints) focus mainly on the maintenance and improvement of managerial competencies, paying attention to personal development on the residual principle. Therefore, the problem of finding opportunities and ways for professional and personal development of principals of general educational organizations is urgent. The problem solution will be successful if the time of intercourses training is rationally used, and professional and personal development is focused on the development of the most important personal quality - thinking, which has a system-forming influence on other personal qualities and the professional activity of a principal. The goal of the research is to identify and test new ways of professional and personal development of leaders of general educational organizations during intercourse period. Methodology. The systemic, subject-activity and dynamic approaches were chosen as the methodological basis. The basic method of work was offered by E. Bono's method "6 hats" which essence is in mastering of 6 modes of thinking: informational, semantic, emotional, reflective, emotional and creative. The program was mastered and applied in three stages, according to the developed Program during one year. At each stage three meetings were provided. Results. Approbation of the Program allows to state that directors, participants of the research, became free to work in all modes of thinking, and their speed of switching from one mode to another decreased significantly. Self-evaluation of directors shows a significant increase in tolerance for dissent, an increasing interest in comprehensive analysis of problems and willingness to solve them; an increase in optimism and self-confidence, improved conflict management. However, the limitations, pluses and minuses of this method are noted. Thus, the effectiveness and prospects of wide application of the method “6 hats” in the intercourse training of heads of general educational organizations are confirmed.