#16 Inspirational leaders never age: with Pat Clarke
Send us a textIn this inspiring episode, we sit down with Pat, a distinguished educator whose remarkable six-decade career spans classroom teaching, school leadership, and international leadership training. Her energy and passion for the profession remain as vibrant as ever, offering a masterclass in sustained professional commitment.Key InsightsThroughout the conversation, Pat shares profound reflections on what sustains school leaders through the inevitable challenges of educational leadership. Her wisdom is drawn from decades of firsthand experience navigating the complexities of leading educational communities.Essential Advice for School LeadersPat emphasises several core principles for thriving in school leadership:Stay Humble – Effective leadership begins with humility and a willingness to learn from everyone in your community.Embrace Risk-Taking – Growth and innovation require stepping outside your comfort zone and being willing to try new approaches.Trust Your Competence – Combat self doubt by recognising that you are, indeed, good enough for the role you hold.Recognise Your Privilege – Leading a school community is a unique opportunity to shape lives and create positive impact.Celebrate Small Wins – Remember that making even a small difference each day is meaningful and worthwhile.TakeawayPat's enduring passion for education demonstrates that school leadership, when approached with the right mindset, can be a source of energy and fulfilment throughout one's entire career and beyond. Her message is clear: leadership is both a privilege and an opportunity to create lasting positive change in the lives of students, staff, and communities.
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#15 Transforming displacement into personal growth and global awareness with Sasha Kondratenko
Send us a textGuest ProfileName: Oleksandra (Sasha) Kondratenko Current Role: Student of International Relations University: University of Rotterdam Location: Rotterdam, The Netherlands Background: Ukrainian refugeeEpisode OverviewIn this inspiring episode, Sasha shares her journey from Ukraine to the Netherlands and how she transformed the challenges of displacement into opportunities for personal growth and global awareness. Her story highlights resilience, ambition, and the power of staying true to one's dreams while remaining open to new experiences.Key Themes1. Making the Most of OpportunitiesSasha discusses how relocating to the Netherlands became a catalyst for redefining her life's direction. She seized educational opportunities that became available to her and committed to becoming fluent in both Dutch and English, viewing language acquisition as a gateway to integration and success.2. Being Open to New ExperiencesThe conversation explores Sasha's experience as a refugee and how her move has expanded her worldview. Living in the Netherlands has made her more globally aware and receptive to diverse opinions, views, and cultural experiences. Her perspective has broadened significantly through this journey.3. Holding On to Dreams and AspirationsDespite the upheaval in her life, Sasha never abandoned her aspiration to complete a university degree and establish a professional career. She dreams of learning Japanese and living in Japan—both as part of her degree programme and in her future career. Her story demonstrates that circumstances don't have to dictate the limits of your ambitions.4. Reaching Out for Help and AdviceSasha emphasises the importance of seeking help rather than simply following expected paths or sticking with what's familiar. She encourages young people to research their options, pursue their passions, and continuously seek advice from a diverse range of people and perspectives.5. Providing Support for OthersPassionate about empowerment, Sasha discusses her commitment to helping young women achieve their full potential. She aims to offer support, advice, and encouragement by sharing her own story as inspiration for others facing challenges or pursuing their dreams.Target AudienceThis episode will resonate with:Young adults navigating life transitionsRefugees and immigrants seeking inspirationStudents pursuing international educationAnyone interested in personal development and resilienceWomen seeking empowerment and career guidanceIndividuals exploring cross-cultural experiencesKey TakeawaysAdversity can be transformed into opportunity with the right mindset and determinationLanguage skills are powerful tools for integration and professional successDreams are worth preserving even when life circumstances change dramaticallySeeking help is a strength, not a weakness—don't be afraid to ask for guidanceCultural openness enriches personal growth and broadens perspectivesSharing your story can inspire and empower others facing similar challenges
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#14 Servant Leadership: a deeper dive into what this means in a school context
Send us a textIn this episode, we explore the concept of servant leadership and its application in educational settings, particularly for headteachers.Key Discussion Points:What is Servant Leadership?The hosts share their personal understanding and interpretation of servant leadership principlesDiscussion of how this leadership style differs from traditional hierarchical approachesServant Leadership in EducationFocus on how headteachers can effectively serve their school communitiesExploration of the balance between leadership authority and service-oriented approachesBuilding Strong School CultureHow servant leadership principles can create an environment where all stakeholders feel valuedStrategies for meeting the diverse needs and aspirations of students, staff, parents, and the broader communityCommunity ImpactThe role of educational leaders in serving not just their immediate school but the wider communityHow servant leadership can foster trust, collaboration, and shared vision among all stakeholdersThis episode provides practical insights for educational leaders looking to adopt a more service-oriented approach to their leadership role while maintaining effective school governance and culture development.
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#13 Servant Leadership with Sahreen Siddiqui
Send us a textGuest: Sahreen SiddiquiPosition: Educator, Headteacher, Executive Leader and Consultant Location: London, UKKey Themes Discussed:Service-Centred LeadershipSahreen explores how service forms the foundation of her leadership philosophy, driving her commitment to student achievement, staff empowerment, and effective school leadership. This value system shapes every aspect of her professional approach and personal mission.Servant Leadership in EducationThe conversation delves into Sahreen's deep understanding of servant leadership principles and their practical application in educational settings. She discusses how this leadership style influences her role as a school leader while balancing her responsibilities as a mother and community member.Career Transitions and Global EducationSahreen provides valuable guidance for international education professionals considering a return to their home countries, with specific focus on navigating opportunities within the UK's state sector schools. Her insights are particularly relevant for educators making cross-border career transitions.Challenging Professional MythsThe episode addresses common misconceptions within the global education profession. Sahreen encourages listeners to question established assumptions and work toward bridging professional divisions to create more inclusive career pathways across international educational landscapes.Target AudienceThis episode will resonate with:Educational leaders and administratorsInternational education professionalsWomen in leadership positionsEducators considering career transitionsThose interested in servant leadership principlesKey TakeawaysService as a foundational leadership value can drive meaningful change in educational settingsServant leadership offers a powerful framework for school leadersInternational experience can be successfully leveraged in domestic education systemsProfessional myths and divisions can be challenged to create broader opportunitiesLeadership extends beyond professional roles into family and community contexts
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#12 The Art of Graceful Leadership Transition with Nicola Holloway and Lisa Thorpe
Send us a textThe Art of Graceful Leadership TransitionEpisode Description:In this compelling guest episode, we witness leadership transition at its finest as Nicola Holloway and Lisa Thorpe share their story of the Primary Headship handover at Ascot International School, Bangkok.This is a masterclass in what happens when two exceptional leaders prioritise community wellbeing over personal agenda. Nicola, the outgoing headteacher, and Lisa, her successor, demonstrate the rare art of guardianship, showing how authentic leadership extends far beyond individual tenure.In this candid conversation, you'll discover:Preparation strategies that honour both legacy and future visionThe delicate choreography of managing transition visits with openness and graceWhat truly attracts transformational leaders to new opportunitiesPractical approaches for creating seamless leadership handoversThe mindset shift from ownership to stewardship in educational leadershipBoth leaders share with refreshing honesty how they navigated the emotional and practical complexities of transition, creating natural flow rather than organisational disruption. Their collaborative approach reveals how great leader thinks beyond their own success to serve the greater good of their communities.This episode is essential listening for current and aspiring educational leaders, board members involved in succession planning, and anyone who believes that leadership transitions can be opportunities for growth rather than periods of uncertainty.Perfect for:School leaders planning transitionsBoards managing successionEducational professionals studying collaborative leadershipAnyone interested in authentic, community-focused leadershipJoin us for this inspiring conversation that redefines what leadership transition can look like when integrity, openness, and guardianship guide the way
We believe that there is a need to provide support for female school leaders, who want to thrive and grow within international school settings. In this series of fortnightly podcasts, we share our own lived experiences and the hard-hitting realities which have shaped us as successful leaders within the sector. Each podcast forms a topical conversation which is experienced-based; sharing truths, sound council and suggested solutions.We aim to be a source of courage, confidence and practical solutions to keep others ' leading because they can'.
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