When your team feels flat before term starts

Happy Friday

I've been thinking this week about the power of a good jolt of inspiration.

I know, I know. Most of what I bang on about centres around sustainable change, long-term thinking, and building systems that last. And rightly so. But sometimes, just sometimes, we need that quick hit of energy that gets us fired up and ready to tackle what's ahead.

My wife and I are off to see Lady Gaga this weekend in Singapore for her birthday, and we’re pretty excited. I know it's going to be brilliant, energising, and I'll come away buzzing with creative energy that I'll carry into next week.

When did you last feel that spark? Maybe it was a TED talk that shifted something in your thinking, a book that made you see your work differently, or even just a conversation with a colleague that left you walking away with renewed purpose.

Here's what I've been reflecting on: whilst most professional learning should absolutely focus on deep, sustainable impact, there's real value in those moments that simply make us feel inspired about the work we do. Sometimes the best thing you can do for your team isn't another strategic planning session, but to help them remember why they love what they do.

This feels particularly relevant as we head towards a new academic year. You've got new staff arriving, returning teachers who might be feeling a bit flat after the break, and everyone trying to get their heads around what lies ahead. Sometimes that staff training before students return can be a great opportunity to re-ignite the passion that brought people into education in the first place.

I've got some availability for keynotes at the start of the 2025-26 academic year, and honestly, it's one of my favourite things to do. Getting a room full of educators thinking about their own superpowers, connecting their personal passions to their school's mission, and leaving feeling genuinely excited about the year ahead. Those of you who know my work will know I'm usually focused on long-term development projects, but there's something super special about creating that initial spark that gets everything else moving.

The question I keep coming back to is this: when did you last leave a meeting, session, or conversation feeling genuinely inspired about your work? And more importantly, when did you last create that feeling for someone else?

If you're thinking about ways to energise your team for the year ahead and fancy a chat about what that might look like, just reply and say "let's jump on a call." We can talk through your needs and see if there's something that could work for your school.

What's inspired you lately? I'd love to hear about it.

Shane

Here’s a few of my latest podcast episodes to take you in to the weekend: