In this powerful episode of Thriving In and After Headship, Professor Geraint Jones reflects on what it truly means to thrive both in headship and after it. Through honest, deeply human storytelling, Geraint explores the determination that drove his leadership, the emotional intensity of headship, the struggle to let go, and the surprising realities of life after leaving a role that shapes your identity.

From childhood lessons about winning, to building high-performance cultures, to confronting his own limits in court, Geraint offers a rare, unfiltered insight into what it takes to lead with conviction — and what it costs. This is an episode for school leaders who want to understand themselves, their motivations, and what thriving might look like at any stage of the journey.

🔑 Key Themes in This Episode🔥 Determination and Drive

• How early experiences shaped Geraint’s fierce determination

• Why “not losing” was a lifelong motivator — and how that fuelled his leadership

• The desire to define his own success rather than be directed by others

• The balance between leading the job vs. being consumed by it

• Why knowing the school better than anyone else mattered

• Self-accountability, confidence and being the ultimate steward of the school vision

• Why Geraint never truly wanted to leave headship

• Missing the role — and how long it took to “detach”

• How building a new institute gave him a fresh vision and purpose

• Why deeper principles, not skill lists, matter when shifting roles

• The obsession with quality, culture and continuous improvement

• The value of knowledge: becoming expert in every new domain

• The single biggest question leaders must ask themselves: Why?

• Being honest about ego, motivation, and the stories we tell ourselves

• Why authenticity — quietly, internally — determines success

• The importance of knowing your personal principles, strengths and weaknesses

• The shocking freedom of being able to “eat an apple whenever you like”

• De-institutionalising after years of bell-driven school life

• Slower pace, different accountability, new ways of working

• Adapting to a sector that doesn’t run at 110mph

• How far should a head go to defend their staff?

• The moral dilemmas no interview ever prepares you for

• Geraint’s powerful anecdotes about:

  • Protecting a young teacher after a serious mistake

  • Going to court to defend a principle

  • Surviving national press coverage and public scrutiny

• “There’s something in me which makes winning important — and not losing even more important.”

• “It’s my vision, my success. I don’t need bonuses or targets. I am enough for this job.”

• “Headship can overwhelm you if you let it — I always tried to get over the job, not under it.”

• “I didn’t want to leave headship. I still miss it — though much less now.”

• “If you’re going to step in or step out, answer the question why? Honestly.”

• “Life after headship? I could eat an apple whenever I wanted.”

• “The best way out is always through.”

🏫 Headship as Identity and Relationship🚪 Knowing When to Leave (or Not)🔄 Transferable Behaviours (Not Just Skills)🧠 Advice to Leaders at a Crossroads🌱 Life After Headship⚖️ Values, Loyalty and Limits✨ Standout Moments & Quotes

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