Your end-of-year conversations don't have to be dreaded

Happy Friday

Have you ever walked away from a conversation thinking, "That didn't go as planned"? I certainly have.

Recently, I've been reflecting on the moments when I'm at my best as a leader versus when things feel like they're slipping away. The difference almost always comes down to one thing: presence in conversation.

When I'm truly present—listening deeply rather than mentally preparing my next response—conversations flow naturally. People open up. Solutions emerge that neither party anticipated. But when my mind wanders or I rush to solve problems before fully understanding them, I lose control of the conversation entirely.

This pattern becomes especially critical as we approach those inevitable end-of-year conversations. The staffing discussions. The performance reviews. The planning meetings that set the tone for September. These moments matter enormously, yet many of us have never been taught how to truly listen as leaders.

That's why I'm excited to announce something new that I've been developing:

The Listen Like a Leader Masterclass

On Tuesday, April 2nd, Aimée Skidmore and I are hosting a focused, practical masterclass designed specifically for school leaders who want to transform how they approach critical conversations.

This isn't about theory. In just two hours, you'll:

• Learn practical listening techniques you can implement in your very next conversation

• Practice these skills in a supportive environment with fellow school leaders

• Gain confidence for handling those challenging end-of-year discussions

• Walk away with strategies that build trust and engagement

As this is our inaugural cohort, we’re intentionally keeping the group small to ensure maximum practice time and personalised feedback. We’re also offering special first-time pricing at one-third off the standard rate.

Conversation is our most powerful tool as leaders. It's how we build trust, align teams, and move our schools forward. Yet it's often the aspect of leadership we invest in least.

[Secure your spot today at bit.ly/listenlikealeader]

A Quick Reflection Exercise

Before I sign off, I'd like to invite you to try something: Think about your most successful conversation from this past week. What made it work? Was it something you said, or was it how you listened?

Now consider a conversation that didn't go as well. What might have changed if you'd approached your listening differently?

I've found that this simple reflection helps me stay conscious of my presence in future conversations. Perhaps it will help you too.

As always, I'm here if you want to connect. Just hit reply to this email.

Until next Friday,

Shane

P.S. Spaces for the Listen Like a Leader Masterclass on April 2nd are limited by design. If you're interested, I encourage you to register soon at bit.ly/listenlikealeader.

Here’s some of my latest podcast episodes if you fancy a listen: