Newsletter 15

Happy Friday Leaders,

Have you ever felt your mind whirring with questions that demand answers? That's where I've found myself these past weeks – thanks to some truly enlightening global conversations.

Just last week, I sparked a dialogue with Liz Benson, a staunch advocate for middle leadership and a seasoned international educator. Her latest book, Middle Leadership in Schools, breaks the mould, penned by middle leaders for middle leaders. Our podcast conversation took an intriguing turn:

What if middle leadership wasn't a stepping stone, but a destination?

It's a thought that challenges the very fabric of our leadership development programmes.

Tuesday's chat spanned three continents, as Jim Thompson and I welcomed Sydney's own Mark Bennett on Coaching Done Well. Together, we navigated the intricate dance of team coaching. Strategies for excellence, trust as more than a term – but the bedrock of our working relationships. This stirred a deep reflection on my coaching practice and a renewed resolve to delve deeper.

This reflection with Jim and Mark sparked yet another. My latest piece ponders a critical question:

'Are there too many consultants in education?'

With teaching professionalism at a crossroads, I wonder if our reliance on external consultants has gone too far. Could a coaching approach reclaim the reins of school decisions and practices?

What's your take? Am I on to something, or off-track? How can we collectively drive the change we aspire to see?

Your thoughts are invaluable. Reply here, or let's connect on LinkedIn or X using the links below.

Until next time, keep leading with passion and purpose.

Shane