The Qualities of Outstanding School Leaders

We live in a world that does not readily accept the authentic self. Instead, it takes the adapted self and leads us to believe that

At its core, for me, soul leadership transcends the mundane metrics of success; it’s a philosophy that beckons us to lead from the depths of

Historically, the western view of development has been very linear. We are born, we go to school, we become adults, other things happen, and we

I remember one of my first school visits as an NPQH Tutor. I had been assigned as a tutor for a Deputy, who was hoping

It is part of the human condition to be introspective and to have a desire to gain a better understanding of ourselves. Indeed, as many

“My NPQH didn’t prepare me for this,” said a School Leader on Twitter this week. As a leader, I have had to deal with many

In times of crisis, such as the one we are currently facing, it’s natural for our minds to become dominated by loss, or the threat

As a Headteacher at an inner-city primary school, my to-do list is ever lengthening, so having enough time for strategic thinking and reflection can be

Dear New Headteachers, It seems a daunting task to be responsible for a large school of perhaps 1,000-plus young people, 100-plus staff, not to mention

The demands on the shoulders of our School Leaders has never been greater, with inordinate demands on time and resources distracting from the essence of

When you’re under pressure – which as HTs in England, we are almost 99% of the time – it is much harder to perceive emotions,

Storytelling has an immense value in its own right – not just as a means of developing language skills or improving literacy. If we think

I have witnessed many a Headteacher brim with pride on appointment to their post; whether it be a first headship, second or third, there is

Recently a colleague shared with me, that when the Masai Warriors of Kenya greet each other they ask, “How are the children?” They ask this,

Contained within the wisdom traditions of North America’s First Nation people are many teachings that relate directly to leadership. A central teaching is that of

When I became a Head, the weight of responsibility often weighed heavy on my shoulders. More often than not, this was due to the fact

There’s plenty of advice out there about what makes a great School Leader, from text books, certifications and seminars. Often the advice focuses around what

I believe I have always been fairly sensitive to other people’s feelings. This was confirmed once by completing the Myers Briggs Temperament Index. Though I

There’s plenty of advice out there about what makes a great School Leader, from text books, certifications and seminars. Often the advice focuses around what

It’s an understatement to say that life as a School Leader can be bruising. The impact of the responses of disgruntled staff, a poor OFSTED

When I look back on my time as a Headteacher, time never stood still. There was an abundance of meetings to hold, opportunities to be

“Leadership is a function of knowing yourself, having a vision that is well communicated, building trust among colleagues, and taking effective action to realise your

  Irish poet, David Whyte understands fully what life and work are all about. He says;   “We must have a relationship with work that

Our schools will always need great leaders. Individuals who possess deep levels of courage, tenacity and integrity and are willing to take on the often

The weight of School Leadership is not an easy load to bear. It takes a pair of broad shoulders to consistently carry the weight of

The new school term has only just begun and I am guessing it’s already feeling as though you have never been away! The to-do list

Do you ever suffer from self-doubt? I hope so! If I met a Head who told me they never doubted themselves, then… Put it this

Narratives that veer toward generalities, explanations, and abstractions, or which insist on telling us their moral or meaning, have abandoned storytelling in favour of propositional

As a Head there are many questions that you are called to answer; questions for which you very often have to justify, defend or give

This blog comes from writer, storyteller, educator and “Education for the Soul” Conference 2018 keynote speaker, Geoff Mead. Stories are the secret reservoir of values: change

It is easy to dismiss storytelling unthinkingly as something that belongs to a bygone age – the province of “fictional old bards.” But I agree

Headteachers like yourself centre all their efforts and struggles around striving to grow and building their schools into successful and celebrated institutions. Without your hard

Our thoughts influence how we feel and our feelings affect how we behave. It is only when we are listened to empathically that we are

How many times as a School Leader have you experienced a crisis of confidence? There may have been times when you’ve made a difficult decision