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:

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:

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?

I’m delighted to partner this newsletter with The University of Warwick’s teacher development programmes. Click the banner to learn more.

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