Global Ed Leaders | International School Leadership Development

This week, I explore the "Connection" phase of organisational change.Episode HighlightsThe Change Series: Discover why connection is essential before diving into change.Understanding Challenges: Learn how building connections helps validate perceived challenges and explore them deeply.Building Trust and Readiness: Authentic connections foster psychological safety and organisational readiness—key ingredients for successful change.Avoiding Pitfalls: Early connection helps prevent biases and encourages open dialogue, setting a solid foundation.Practical Steps: Engage with your community—teachers, parents, and students—before implementing change.Remember, connection and discovery are intertwined. If you feel connection is lacking, pause and focus on building that foundation first. This ensures sustainable and impactful change.This episode is supported by the International Curriculum Association. Click here to Register for The International Curriculum Conference 2024Thank you for tuning in, and as always, if you found this episode useful, please share your experience. You can find me online on 𝕏, 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.

Chris Scorer and Shane Leaning explore how schools can create a data landscape that aligns with their diverse objectives, especially in international schools. We discuss the reluctance of data leads to embrace full transparency due to regulatory concerns, the educational journey parents and teachers must undertake to understand data, and practical strategies for integrating data into daily teaching.One striking point of our conversation was the tension between teacher intuition and data-driven decision-making. Chris eloquently argued that data should serve as a supportive tool for teachers rather than a rigid directive. He shared practical strategies for overcoming teacher resistance to data, emphasizing the importance of creating safe spaces for teachers to engage with and explore data without the fear of making mistakes.LinksFryer, R.G., Jr (2017), The Production of Human Capital in Developed Countries: Evidence From 196 Randomized Field ExperimentsMunby, S, (2019), Imperfect Leadershiphttps://teachmiddleeastmag.com/democratise-your-data/This episode is supported by the International Curriculum Association. Click here to Register for The International Curriculum Conference 2024Thank you for tuning in, and as always, if you found this episode useful, please share your experience. You can find me online on 𝕏, 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.

In part 3 of his series on organisational change, Shane discusses the importance of the discovery phase in organisational change in schools. He emphasises the need to break the cycle of repeatedly addressing the same problems by exploring multiple perspectives and challenging assumptions. The conversation highlights the significance of building trust and connection within teams to facilitate open dialogue and innovative solutions. Leaning also stresses the value of diverse thinking in improving outcomes and the necessity of thorough discovery to avoid poor decision-making.Takeaways·     The first answer is rarely the best one.·     Discovery is about exploring options, not making decisions.·     Building trust enables free expression of thoughts.·     Asking 'What else?' helps uncover deeper challenges.·     Urgency can push change forward.·     Unfreezing our thinking is essential for change.·     Groupthink can lead to poor quality decisions.·     Diverse teams bring improved accuracy and innovation.·     Challenging assumptions is crucial in the discovery phase.·     Connection is foundational before moving into discovery.Click here to see the double diamond model.This episode is supported by the International Curriculum Association. Click here to Register for The International Curriculum Conference 2024 Thank you for tuning in, and as always, if you found this episode useful, please share your experience. You can find me online on X (@leaningshane), and LinkedIn. My website is shaneleaning.com and email address is shane@shaneleaning.com. About the hostShane Leaning is an independent organisational coach based in Shanghai, collaborating with international schools and agencies globally. He co-founded Work Collaborative, a community dedicated to inside-out change in education, and hosts the chart-topping podcast, Global Ed Leaders. Previously, Shane was the Regional Head of Teacher Development for Nord Anglia Education’s China bilingual schools, overseeing professional development across 11 schools. He holds an Executive Master’s in International Education from King’s College London and is a certified organisational development coach. Passionate about creating agency in schools and empowering leaders, Shane is co-authoring 'Change Starts Here,' due for release in Spring 2025. He is a CollectiveEd Fellow, an Associate of the Teacher Development Trust in the UK, and a TEDx speaker. Living internationally since 2012, with extensive experience in China and Asia, Shane is a recognised voice in international education leadership.

GUEST EPISODEThis is an interview from the EduPulse podcast. Here's the original podcast description:In this episode we are joined by Shane Leaning who is a podcast host, educator and soon-to-be author. Shane (@leaningshane) lives and works in Shanghai, China and we recorded this episode at 4am GMT!Join in the conversation on Twitter (we don't officially recognise the rebranding!) where you'll find us on:⁠⁠@EduPulseCo⁠⁠⁠⁠@MrAdamKohlbeck⁠⁠⁠⁠@MrChrisPassey⁠⁠⁠⁠EduPulse⁠⁠ is a brand new think-tank, podcast, journal and nuance-advocating platform.

Ian Timbrell and Shane Leaning talk about range of topics related to LGBTQ+ inclusion in schools, including the challenges faced by school leaders, the importance of representation in literature, and strategies for handling difficult conversations. The discussion highlights the need for inclusive practices and the impact of local representation on students' identities and experiences.TakeawaysThe challenges faced by school leaders in addressing LGBTQ+ topics and the importance of understanding the historical and cultural context of these challenges.The significance of representation in literature and the impact of inclusive materials on students' identities and experiences.Strategies for handling difficult conversations related to LGBTQ+ inclusion, including the use of scripts and the importance of standing by the school's values and policies.The impact of local representation on students' understanding of diversity and the need for inclusive role models and events in school curricula.LinksMore Thank Flags and Rainbows: morethanflagsandrainbows.comIan on X/Twitter: @ITimbrellThis episode is supported by the International Curriculum Association. Click here to Register for The International Curriculum Conference 2024 Thank you for tuning in, and as always, if you found this episode useful, please share your experience. You can find me online on X (@leaningshane), 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.

In part 2 of the Series on Organisational change, Shane discusses the complexities of organisational change in educational settings, focusing on the sponsor's perceived challenge. I talk about the importance of understanding the motivations behind change, the risks involved, and the necessity of community involvement to ensure sustainable change. The conversation highlights the need for sponsors to reflect on their challenges and engage with their communities to create a shared vision for change.Takeaways·     The perceived challenge may not be the actual challenge.·     Understanding motivations behind change is crucial.·     Expectations and awareness shape the change process.·     Best and worst case scenarios help frame challenges.·     Organizational identity must be preserved during change.·     Community involvement is essential for sustainable change.·     Top-down approaches to change are often ineffective.·     Engagement at critical moments influences change trajectory.·     Reflection on past challenges can inform future actions.·     Balancing change with core values is vital.This episode is supported by the International Curriculum Association. Click here to Register for The International Curriculum Conference 2024 Thank you for tuning in, and as always, if you found this episode useful, please share your experience. You can find me online on X (@leaningshane), and LinkedIn. My website is shaneleaning.com and email address is shane@shaneleaning.com. About the hostShane Leaning is an independent organisational coach based in Shanghai, collaborating with international schools and agencies globally. He co-founded Work Collaborative, a community dedicated to inside-out change in education, and hosts the chart-topping podcast, Global Ed Leaders. Previously, Shane was the Regional Head of Teacher Development for Nord Anglia Education’s China bilingual schools, overseeing professional development across 11 schools. He holds an Executive Master’s in International Education from King’s College London and is a certified organisational development coach. Passionate about creating agency in schools and empowering leaders, Shane is co-authoring 'Change Starts Here,' due for release in Spring 2025. He is a CollectiveEd Fellow, an Associate of the Teacher Development Trust in the UK, and a TEDx speaker. Living internationally since 2012, with extensive experience in China and Asia, Shane is a recognised voice in international education leadership.

Haili Hughes and Shane Leaning discuss the ongoing crisis in the teaching profession, focusing on the challenges of teacher retention, the impact of toxic leadership, and the need for a supportive culture within schools. They explore the internal and external factors contributing to the crisis, including public perception, accountability, and the importance of psychological safety for teachers. The discussion emphasises the need for educational leaders to create environments that nurture growth and well-being for educators, ultimately benefiting students as well.Takeaways·     Teacher retention is a crisis in many countries, including the UK, and is influenced by factors such as erosion of respect for teachers and negative media portrayal.·     Toxic leadership is a significant problem in schools and can lead to high levels of stress and burnout among teachers.·     Creating a supportive and empowering culture in schools is crucial for retaining teachers and promoting their well-being.·     Leaders should prioritise teacher agency and provide opportunities for professional growth and development.·     Accountability is important, but high-stakes and performative accountability measures can be counterproductive and erode teacher creativity and self-efficacy.·     Building a sense of belonging and community among teachers is essential for creating a positive work environment.LinksPreserving Positivity (Book): amzn.eu/d/cwvo6ekHaili on X/Twitter: x.com/HughesHailiHaili on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dr-haili-hughes-178479186/This episode is supported by the International Curriculum Association. Click here to Register for The International Curriculum Conference 2024 Thank you for tuning in, and as always, if you found this episode useful, please share your experience. You can find me online on X (@leaningshane), and LinkedIn. My website is shaneleaning.com and email address is shane@shaneleaning.com. About the hostShane Leaning is an independent organisational coach based in Shanghai, collaborating with international schools and agencies globally. He co-founded Work Collaborative, a community dedicated to inside-out change in education, and hosts the chart-topping podcast, Global Ed Leaders. Previously, Shane was the Regional Head of Teacher Development for Nord Anglia Education’s China bilingual schools, overseeing professional development across 11 schools. He holds an Executive Master’s in International Education from King’s College London and is a certified organisational development coach.

Shane introduces a mini-series focused on leading effective community-led change in schools. He presents an open-source change model inspired by Work Collaborative, emphasising the importance of community involvement, trust, and iterative processes. The model is structured around the double diamond framework, which facilitates exploration and problem-solving in organisational change. Shane outlines the eight stages of the model, highlighting the need for alignment among stakeholders and the significance of sustaining change over time.TakeawaysChange is a constant challenge in education.Community involvement is crucial for effective change.Trust and psychological safety are foundational for change.The double diamond model aids in decision-making.Exploration of challenges should include multiple perspectives.Alignment among stakeholders enhances the success of change.Sustaining change requires long-term strategies.Iterative processes allow flexibility in implementation.This episode is supported by the International Curriculum Association. Click here to Register for The International Curriculum Conference 2024 Thank you for tuning in, and as always, if you found this episode useful, please share your experience. You can find me online on X (@leaningshane), and LinkedIn. My website is shaneleaning.com and email address is shane@shaneleaning.com. About the hostShane Leaning is an independent organisational coach based in Shanghai, collaborating with international schools and agencies globally. He co-founded Work Collaborative, a community dedicated to inside-out change in education, and hosts the chart-topping podcast, Global Ed Leaders. Previously, Shane was the Regional Head of Teacher Development for Nord Anglia Education’s China bilingual schools, overseeing professional development across 11 schools. He holds an Executive Master’s in International Education from King’s College London and is a certified organisational development coach. Passionate about creating agency in schools and empowering leaders, Shane is co-authoring 'Change Starts Here,' due for release in Spring 2025. He is a CollectiveEd Fellow, an Associate of the Teacher Development Trust in the UK, and a TEDx speaker. Living internationally since 2012, with extensive experience in China and Asia, Shane is a recognised voice in international education leadership.