When brilliant teachers become exhausted leaders, it’s usually not because they lack ability — it’s because they’re cognitively overloaded by the basics. In this solo episode Shane explains what that overload looks like (the story of “Sarah” who dreads Monday evenings), why common leadership programmes often skip the fundamentals, and how cognitive load theory helps explain what’s going on. If you’re struggling to hold difficult conversations, run useful meetings, or make decisions without second-guessing, this episode focuses on a practical, sequenced fix rather than another strategic to-do list.

You’ll learn concrete strategies you can use tomorrow: how to systematise meeting types and agendas so they stop draining you; simple rehearsal routines and conversation frameworks to make difficult talks less anxious; and decision shortcuts (values + structured choices) that reduce daily friction. Shane outlines ten “leadership levers” (meetings, feedback, delegation, decision frameworks and more) and explains how making a few fundamentals automatic frees your head for real strategic work. Press play if you want immediate, small changes that quickly create more mental space for the leadership you actually want to do.

Resources & Links Mentioned:

• Shane Leaning — Leadership Intensive / programme info (next cohort details). (ShaneLeaning.com)

Teacher Development Trust

International Curriculum Association

Join Shane's Intensive Leadership Programme at educationleaders.co/intensive

Shane Leaning, an organisational coach based in Shanghai, supports school leaders globally. Passionate about empowment, he is the author of the best-selling 'Change Starts Here.' Shane is a leading educational voice in the UK, Asia and around the world.

You can find Shane on LinkedIn and Bluesky. or shaneleaning.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happens when you take a school leader who's used to timetables, structure, and constant visibility, and drop them into the chaos of running a startup? Brett Griffin made that exact transition, moving from assistant principal to CEO of Pupil Progress, a tech company now used by over 700 schools globally. This conversation reveals something uncomfortable: the very structures that make schools function might be stopping your leaders from doing their best work. Brett shares why 80% of a teacher's day is pre-determined before they even start, and what that means for trust, autonomy, and deep work.

You'll learn why Brett used to hide in a secret office to get actual work done, why his old department achieved their best results the year after he left, and what the Lionel Messi analogy teaches us about teacher workload. Brett challenges the assumption that visibility always equals good leadership, and explains why being ruthless with focus (not adding more initiatives) might be the most important thing school leaders can do right now. If you're exhausted by trying to do everything at once, or wondering why your talented middle leaders aren't stepping up, this conversation will make you rethink how you're structuring work in your school.

• Brett Griffin on LinkedIn
• Pupil Progress website

Teacher Development Trust

International Curriculum Association

Join Shane's Intensive Leadership Programme at educationleaders.co/intensive

Shane Leaning, an organisational coach based in Shanghai, supports school leaders globally. Passionate about empowment, he is the author of the best-selling 'Change Starts Here.' Shane is a leading educational voice in the UK, Asia and around the world.

You can find Shane on LinkedIn and Bluesky. or shaneleaning.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Struggling with staff meetings that spiral into problem talk? This episode explores solution-focused communication and how school leaders can transform their school culture by changing the questions they ask. Vicky Essebag and Tara Gretton share practical strategies for shifting from deficit-based conversations to hope-filled dialogue that actually moves your team forward. You'll discover why asking "what's wanted?" instead of "what's wrong?" creates the conditions for real change in your school community.

We dive deep into how solution-focused approaches can help school leaders build stronger relationships with staff, students, and parents. Learn about the power of noticing small wins, creating fresh starts each day, and why those quick corridor conversations matter more than you think. Whether you're dealing with challenging parent meetings, staff frustrations, or student behaviour concerns, this conversation offers a different way forward that focuses on strengths, capabilities, and collective vision rather than endless troubleshooting.

Resources & Links Mentioned:

• Solution-Focused Brief Therapy Association (SFBTA) - North American organization offering professional learning opportunities
• SF in Organizations (SFIO) - Resources and examples of solution-focused practice in education
• Journal of Solution Focused Practices - Latest research and conversations about solution-focused approaches

Vicky Essebag:

• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/vickyessebag
• Website: relationspaces.com

Tara Gretton:

• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/tara-gretton-b3088b18
• Website: solutionrevolution.co.uk

Teacher Development Trust

International Curriculum Association

Join Shane's Intensive Leadership Programme at educationleaders.co/intensive

Shane Leaning, an organisational coach based in Shanghai, supports school leaders globally. Passionate about empowment, he is the author of the best-selling 'Change Starts Here.' Shane is a leading educational voice in the UK, Asia and around the world.

You can find Shane on LinkedIn and Bluesky. or shaneleaning.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.