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88. Unwrapping 2024 | A Year in Review
09:36||Ep. 88In this special Christmas Eve episode, host Shane Leaning reflects on a remarkable year of Global Ed Leaders, highlighting some of the most impactful conversations and milestones from 2024.Key Episode Highlights:Notable Conversations from 2024:Rachel Lofthouse on coaching in teacher development (Episodes 37 & 38)Arrann Hamilton discussing de-implementation with insights from John Hattie and Dylan WilliamJosh Goodrich on the power of rehearsal in professional development (Episode 54)Jose Medina exploring linguistic oppression in international schoolsSarah Kupke (ECIS) on teacher retention strategiesHaili Hughes addressing the teacher retention crisisIan Timbrell on LGBTQ+ inclusionClaire Peet discussing women in leadershipPodcast Achievements:Approaching Episode 100 in under two yearsReached #1 in podcast charts globallyConsistently ranked in top 10% of global podcastsExpanded listener base across multiple countriesComing in 2025:New co-host Chris Scorer for Global Ed Leaders LIVEUpcoming topics include:AI in educationFlexible working for teachersValues in leadershipMental healthParent community engagementEpisode PartnersThe University of Warwick's International Programmes | Learn more at warwick.ac.ukThe International Curriculum Association | Learn more at internationalcurriculum.com.Thank you for tuning in, and as always, if you found this episode useful, please share your experience. You can find me online on LinkedIn. My website is shaneleaning.com and email address is shane@shaneleaning.com.About the hostShane Leaning, an organisational coach based in Shanghai, supports international schools globally. He co-founded Work Collaborative and hosts the chat-topping school leadership podcast, Global Ed Leaders. Previously, he worked as Regional Head of Teaching Development for Nord Anglia Education. Passionate about empowering educators, he is currently co-authoring 'Change Starts Here.' As a CollectivEd Fellow, Teacher Development Trust Associate, and TEDx speaker, Shane has extensive experience in the UK and Asia and is a recognised voice in international education leadership. Learn more at shaneleaning.com.
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87. Stop Getting Buy-in, Start Getting Alignment
06:57||Ep. 87In this episode of the organisational change series, Shane Leaning explores why alignment is crucial for successful change implementation in schools. Through practical examples and actionable strategies, he demonstrates how misalignment can derail even the most well-researched initiatives.Key InsightsMany school initiatives fail not because of the change itself, but due to lack of alignment among stakeholdersTrue alignment goes beyond surface-level agreement to create shared understandingDifferent stakeholder groups may interpret the same concept (e.g., "wellbeing") in vastly different waysEpisode PartnersThe University of Warwick's International Programmes | Learn more at warwick.ac.ukThe International Curriculum Association | Learn more at internationalcurriculum.com.Thank you for tuning in, and as always, if you found this episode useful, please share your experience. You can find me online on LinkedIn. My website is shaneleaning.com and email address is shane@shaneleaning.com.About the hostShane Leaning, an organisational coach based in Shanghai, supports international schools globally. He co-founded Work Collaborative and hosts the chat-topping school leadership podcast, Global Ed Leaders. Previously, he worked as Regional Head of Teaching Development for Nord Anglia Education. Passionate about empowering educators, he is currently co-authoring 'Change Starts Here.' As a CollectivEd Fellow, Teacher Development Trust Associate, and TEDx speaker, Shane has extensive experience in the UK and Asia and is a recognised voice in international education leadership. Learn more at shaneleaning.com.
86. Invisible Obstacles, Unstoppable Women Leaders | A Conversation with Claire Peet
34:05||Ep. 86In this conversation, Claire Peet discusses the challenges women leaders face in international education. We explore how common leadership terms like 'imposter syndrome' and 'perfectionism' have become problematic labels that can be used against women leaders. Claire shares powerful insights about the double bind women face - being criticised both for adopting and rejecting traditional leadership traits.We discuss the different ways men and women process feedback, illustrated through her compelling 'A-game' story about how a simple comment can trigger very different responses based on gender. Claire reminds us of the importance of creating conditions where women leaders can bring their authentic selves to work, and the need for both male and female leaders to play active roles in changing leadership culture.LinksClaire on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claire-peet/Women In Leadership Newsletter: https://www.pdacademia.com/women-in-leadership/This episode is supported by the International Curriculum Association.Learn more at internationalcurriculum.com.Thank you for tuning in, and as always, if you found this episode useful, please share your experience. You can find me online on š¯•¸, and LinkedIn. My website is shaneleaning.com and email address is shane@shaneleaning.com.About the hostShane Leaning, an organisational coach based in Shanghai, supports international schools globally. He co-founded Work Collaborative and hosts the chat-topping school leadership podcast, Global Ed Leaders. Previously, he worked as Regional Head of Teaching Development for Nord Anglia Education. Passionate about empowering educators, he is currently co-authoring 'Change Starts Here.' As a CollectivEd Fellow, Teacher Development Trust Associate, and TEDx speaker, Shane has extensive experience in the UK and Asia and is a recognised voice in international education leadership. Learn more at shaneleaning.com.
85. Inside China's Newest School Network
33:55||Ep. 85I normally sit down for deep one-on-ones with education leaders, but this episode takes a different approach. At NESSIC's inaugural leadership conference, I captured something special - the birth of China's newest school network.Moving through the conference rooms with my microphone, I spoke with 20 school leaders about what drives them to build community beyond their campus walls. From heads of isolated regional schools to leaders of China's biggest international bilingual schools, these conversations reveal a sector ready to shift from competition to collaboration.If you're curious about how post-COVID China's international education community is evolving, this episode is for you.Linkshttps://nessic.org/This episode is supported by the International Curriculum Association.Learn more at internationalcurriculum.com.Thank you for tuning in, and as always, if you found this episode useful, please share your experience. You can find me online on š¯•¸, and LinkedIn. My website is shaneleaning.com and email address is shane@shaneleaning.com.About the hostShane Leaning, an organisational coach based in Shanghai, supports international schools globally. He co-founded Work Collaborative and hosts the chat-topping school leadership podcast, Global Ed Leaders. Previously, he worked as Regional Head of Teaching Development for Nord Anglia Education. Passionate about empowering educators, he is currently co-authoring 'Change Starts Here.' As a CollectivEd Fellow, Teacher Development Trust Associate, and TEDx speaker, Shane has extensive experience in the UK and Asia and is a recognised voice in international education leadership. Learn more at shaneleaning.com.
84. Could You Handle a Startup School? | A Conversation with Grainne O'Reilly
41:01||Ep. 84Grainne O'Reilly chats with Shane about the challenges and rewards of leading a startup school. She talks about the importance of embracing the unknowns and being open to asking for help. Grainne highlights the magic of a startup and the sense of ownership and excitement that every team member should feel. She also discusses the pattern of a post-Christmas dip in energy and offers advice on how leaders can support their teams during this time.Grainne encourages leaders to take care of themselves and find activities or hobbies that bring them joy. She also emphasises the importance of finding trusted mentors and confidants to lean on for support.Sound Bites"The best leaders are always open to other people's ideas and asking for help.""Harnessing the magic and giving everyone permission to take ownership is key to success.""Under promise and over deliver every single time."LinksFind Grainne on LinkedInGrainne's latest book, Starting Your International SchoolThis episode is supported by the International Curriculum Association.Learn more at internationalcurriculum.com.Thank you for tuning in, and as always, if you found this episode useful, please share your experience. You can find me online on š¯•¸, and LinkedIn. My website is shaneleaning.com and email address is shane@shaneleaning.com.About the hostShane Leaning, an organisational coach based in Shanghai, supports international schools globally. He co-founded Work Collaborative and hosts the chat-topping school leadership podcast, Global Ed Leaders. Previously, he worked as Regional Head of Teaching Development for Nord Anglia Education. Passionate about empowering educators, he is currently co-authoring 'Change Starts Here.' As a CollectivEd Fellow, Teacher Development Trust Associate, and TEDx speaker, Shane has extensive experience in the UK and Asia and is a recognised voice in international education leadership. Learn more at shaneleaning.com.
83. How to define your next challenge | Change Series 1.5
12:18||Ep. 83In this episode, Shane Leaning discusses the complexities of addressing challenges in educational settings. He talks through the importance of defining challenges clearly, reframing problems as opportunities, and balancing emotional responses with factual data. Shane shares insights on how to prioritise challenges effectively and encourages leaders to focus on the root causes of issues rather than getting overwhelmed by multiple initiatives. This episode highlights the need for courage in decision-making and the significance of collaboration among staff.TakeawaysWhen trying to solve everything at once, we make our biggest mistake.Defining challenges is crucial for effective change.Reframing problems can lead to new opportunities.Balancing emotions and facts is essential in schools.Choosing the right challenge can create a ripple effect.Understanding the root cause is key to solving issues.Real change requires courage and specificity.Collaboration among staff can transform school culture.Data analysis can reveal deeper issues in schools.Taking time to define challenges can lead to better solutions.LinksThe Work Collaborative Model for Organisational ChangeThis episode is supported by the International Curriculum Association.Learn more at internationalcurriculum.com.Thank you for tuning in, and as always, if you found this episode useful, please share your experience. You can find me online on š¯•¸, and LinkedIn. My website is shaneleaning.com and email address is shane@shaneleaning.com.About the hostShane Leaning, an organisational coach based in Shanghai, supports international schools globally. He co-founded Work Collaborative and hosts the chat-topping school leadership podcast, Global Ed Leaders. Previously, he worked as Regional Head of Teaching Development for Nord Anglia Education. Passionate about empowering educators, he is currently co-authoring 'Change Starts Here.' As a CollectivEd Fellow, Teacher Development Trust Associate, and TEDx speaker, Shane has extensive experience in the UK and Asia and is a recognised voice in international education leadership. Learn more at shaneleaning.com.
82. Do Silver Bullets Exist? | A Conversation with Paul Ainsworth
35:18||Ep. 82In this conversation, Paul Ainsworth discusses his book 'No Silver Bullets 2.0: The Heart and Soul of School Improvement'. We explore the concept of silver bullets in education and the need for a more nuanced approach to school improvement. Paul shares his framework for school improvement, which includes evaluating with honesty, planning with empathy, executing with confidence, and reviewing with humility. We discuss the importance of building relationships, developing confidence in teachers, and finding consistency within schools. Paul reminded me of the need for sustainable change and the power of small steps done consistently.LinksPaul's websitePaul's latest book, 'No Silver Bullets 2.0: Heart and Soul of School Improvement'This episode is supported by the International Curriculum Association.Learn more at internationalcurriculum.com.Thank you for tuning in, and as always, if you found this episode useful, please share your experience. You can find me online on š¯•¸, and LinkedIn. My website is shaneleaning.com and email address is shane@shaneleaning.com.About the hostShane Leaning, an organisational coach based in Shanghai, supports international schools globally. He co-founded Work Collaborative and hosts the chat-topping school leadership podcast, Global Ed Leaders. Previously, he worked as Regional Head of Teaching Development for Nord Anglia Education. Passionate about empowering educators, he is currently co-authoring 'Change Starts Here.' As a CollectivEd Fellow, Teacher Development Trust Associate, and TEDx speaker, Shane has extensive experience in the UK and Asia and is a recognised voice in international education leadership. Learn more at shaneleaning.com.