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Global Ed Leaders | International School Leadership Development
How to think wide with your next challenge | Change Series 1.3
Ep. 79
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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.
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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 host
Shane 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.
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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 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.
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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 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.
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81. Why Connection Comes Before Change | Change Series 1.4
09:34||Ep. 81This 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.
80. How to Democratise Your Data | A Conversation with Chris Scorer
31:22||Ep. 80Chris 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.