Education Leaders

When 89% of a population plays games and two-thirds are under 35, that's not a problem to solve - it's a medium to embrace. Today we explore a fascinating partnership between Stanford University's Human Perception Lab and Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince School, where gaming isn't just motivation - it's pedagogy. Dr. Khizer Khaderi (Stanford University) & Dr. Steffen Sommer (MISC Schools, Saudi Arabia) challenge everything we think we know about digital natives, revealing how we're systematically "un-teaching" natural curiosity and forcing students to live in two worlds: digital at home, analogue at school. From Pokemon champions attending Ivy League universities to students learning astrophysics through gameplay, this conversation reveals why the future of education lies not in dragging students back to the 20th century, but in meeting them where they already are.Key Topics DiscussedThe Gaming Revolution in EducationSaudi Arabia's unique demographic: 89% of population plays games, 70% under 35Moving from "gamification" (tricking students) to "gaming for purpose"Why gaming should be treated as sport, not just entertainmentMeeting Students Where They AreThe fundamental disconnect: teaching how we think they should learn vs. how they want to learnWhy motivation problems stem from this educational misalignmentThe danger of forcing students to live in two worlds: digital at home, analogue at schoolRethinking Traditional CurriculumWhat should we stop teaching if students can look it up in seconds?The difference between memorising times tables and understanding mathematicsWhy handwriting skills matter less in a digital worldMoving from knowledge acquisition to information verification skillsInnovation and Divergent ThinkingHow we systematically "un-teach" natural curiosityThe importance of making mistakes and asking "what if?"Cross-pollination and generalist thinking in a specialised worldAcademic innocence: why younger minds generate breakthrough ideasPractical ImplementationCreating gaming suites with educational purposeForming partnerships with universities beyond just university admissionWorking with examination boards to change assessment methodsThe role of interdisciplinary teaching and teamwork in exams Resources MentionedBook: "Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World" by David EpsteinHistorical Educational Games: Oregon Trail, MULEResearch: Daphne Bavelier's work on gaming and learning (University of Rochester, 2003)Stanford Human Perception Laboratory: Stanford HPLMISC Schools: MISC Schools WebsiteEpisode PartnerThe International Curriculum Association: Learn more

Shane Leaning sits down with Ruth Taylor from the Common Cause Foundation to explore the fascinating world of human values and what they mean for school leadership. Ruth shares insights from decades of social psychology research that challenges everything we think we know about motivation.Key Topics CoveredThe Schwartz Values FrameworkHow 58 human values map onto our decision-makingWhy some values are complementary whilst others are antagonisticThe difference between intrinsic and extrinsic valuesThe Values Perception GapWhy 74% of people prioritise intrinsic values like equality over extrinsic ones like wealthHow we consistently misjudge what motivates othersThe self-fulfilling prophecy this creates in our organisationsPractical Applications for School LeadersWhy competitions and prizes might backfire in the long termHow to ask "what values am I wanting to nurture?" before designing initiativesMoving from outcome-focused to values-focused leadershipCreating space for conversations about what really mattersKey InsightsWe all hold all 58 values but "dance" in different parts of the map at different timesCultural pressures often push us towards extrinsic values even when we'd naturally choose intrinsic onesYou're always strengthening values through your leadership - the question is which onesStarting small and building habits around values-based thinking can create significant changeSimply reflecting on our own values strengthens our intrinsic motivations Useful LinksRuth Taylor's website: ruthtaylor.orgCulture Soup newsletter: valuesnarrativesculture.substack.comCommon Cause Foundation: commoncausefoundation.orgSchwartz Values Framework map: Available on the Common Cause website  Episode PartnerThe International Curriculum Association: Learn more

My guest today is Alicia Drummond, a BACP accredited therapist and creator of The Wellbeing Hub. This conversation dives deep into why self-awareness is the foundation of effective school leadership. We explore how your internal state directly impacts your school's culture, and Alicia shares practical tools for understanding your triggers, biases, and leadership patterns. From attachment styles to the OK Corral framework, this episode is packed with actionable strategies you can use immediately.Key Points CoveredThe internal-external connection: Research shows a leader's internal state directly impacts school cultureUnderstanding triggers: How childhood experiences create leadership patterns and why physical responses are early warning systemsAttachment styles in leadership: Four styles (secure, avoidant, ambivalent, disorganised) and how they affect your ability to trust and delegatePersonal bias exercise: Practical tool to identify your "in-group" and how it affects who you support vs. overlookThe OK Corral framework: Four positions (I'm OK/You're OK, etc.) that determine how you show up in relationshipsHero/anti-hero exercise: Understanding your light and shadow sides to catch yourself when moving toward unhelpful patternsChoice, control, confidence: How awareness doesn't solve problems but gives you options for how to respondPractical meditation: Simple daily practice for building self-awareness and emotional regulation This conversation challenged me to think about how often we rush to fix external problems when the real work starts internally. The research showing how a leader's internal state directly impacts school culture is a powerful reminder that working on ourselves isn't selfish - it's essential leadership development.LinksThe Wellbeing Hub  Episode PartnerThe International Curriculum Association: Learn more

Shane looks at the disconnect between leadership theory and practice in educational leadership qualifications, sharing insights from his conversations with leaders who've completed these programs. He identifies five common failures in leadership development courses and offers practical alternatives that actually lead to growth.Key Points85% of leaders identified peer learning and community as the most valuable aspect of leadership programs, not the content or theoryThe five failures of leadership programs:Theory without practice - providing concepts without applicationWrong context and content - programs not adapted to different educational systemsUnrealised community - superficial implementation of peer learningSimple models for complex realities - oversimplifying leadership challengesIgnoring identity - neglecting personal leadership developmentThe costs of these failures: staff turnover, misaligned teams, initiative fatigue, leadership burnout, wasted resources, and stagnant developmentWhat works instead: blending theory with immediate application, creating genuine communities of practice, contextualising learning, embracing complexity, and integrating identity development Resources MentionedEducation Leaders Intensive Programme - Shane's 12-week leadership development program starting in SeptemberLeadership Qualification Webinar - Free webinar diving deeper into this topic  Episode PartnerThe International Curriculum Association: Learn more

In this episode, I speak with David Ingram, Founding Head of College at Dulwich College Shanghai Puxi about:How his experience as a police constable in County Durham shaped his approach to education and student wellbeingThe importance of establishing "trusted adults" for every student and how to systematically ensure this happensBuilding a comprehensive wellbeing framework that addresses academic, social, emotional, mental and physical dimensionsMoving from seeing wellbeing as a "strategic priority" to a long-term "strategic commitment"A nuanced approach to smartphones in schools that balances innovation with appropriate boundariesKey takeaways:Trusted adult relationships: Dulwich increased from 85% to 100% of primary students having a trusted adult by explicitly discussing this concept with both students and staff. They also recognized that trusted adults might be admin staff rather than just teachers.Comprehensive wellbeing frameworks: Working with positive psychologist David Bott, Dulwich developed a holistic approach to wellbeing that includes regular audits across multiple dimensions, allowing for systematic identification of areas for improvement.The AS Steer tool: This assessment tool helps identify students who present as being fine but may be struggling internally, allowing for proactive rather than reactive intervention.Smartphone policies: Rather than implementing a total ban, Dulwich restricts phone use during the school day while still embracing technology through innovative AI initiatives, creating a balanced approach that prepares students for managing technology in their future.Collaborative approaches: The success of Dulwich's wellbeing strategy relies heavily on collaboration across their school network and with external experts.Links mentioned in the episode:David Bott's work on positive psychologyAS Steer wellbeing assessment toolConnect with David Ingram on LinkedIn Episode PartnerThe International Curriculum Association: Learn more

In this episode, Shane gets coached on leadership interview techniques by Orla Dempsey, an expert in helping teachers secure leadership positions. Throughout their conversation, Orla shares practical frameworks and strategies that help transform interview anxiety into confidence.Key Topics Covered:The STAR technique for structuring powerful interview answersHow shifting to past tense can showcase your real experienceUsing specific numbers and data to demonstrate measurable impactResearching and aligning with a school's specific needsHandling setbacks and showing authentic humanity in interviews Connect with Orla DempseyWebsite: www.orladempseycoaching.ie Episode PartnerThe International Curriculum Association: Learn more

My guest today is David Harkin, CEO and Founder of 8billionideas, which has impacted over 500,000 students in 26 countries. David is a two-time TEDx speaker, author of 'The Ripple Effect', and was ranked 8th globally by ISC Research for his contributions to the education sector in 2022. Before entering education, David was an IBM executive and was the youngest globally to receive their CEO award. In our conversation, we explore:The difference between entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial mindsetWhy school leaders should embrace a "principalpreneur" approachHow to create a culture that encourages innovation at all levelsThe three types of innovation every school needsDavid's concept of being "brilliantly busy" and what it means for leadersWhy leadership is harder than ever before in 2025The importance of transferring ideas across schools internationallyKey insights:Entrepreneurial mindset vs entrepreneurship: "Entrepreneurship is hugely misunderstood, firstly by using the word entrepreneurship and forgetting the second word entrepreneurship mindset. That's what we really need to be talking about in education."Schools as businesses: "Every school on the planet is a business, but in the business of world-class education."Three types of innovation:Transformational (major strategic initiatives)Accelerated incremental change (medium-sized projects)Incremental improvements (small, everyday gains)On modern leadership: "Leadership is harder than ever before because of the accessibility of you."Creating a culture of action: "Try and build a culture of action and then ask for forgiveness... If it's a good idea, don't ask me if you should be doing it. Just get on with it." David's outlook for education is optimistic: "The next decade is the most important decade in educational history...never before have we had the opportunity to transfer lessons as quickly as we possibly can and collectively make change."Links mentioned in this episode:8billionideasDavid's book: The Ripple Effect"Checklist Manifesto" by Atul Gawande Episode PartnerThe International Curriculum Association: Learn more

In this special episode, Shane Leaning discusses his new best-selling book "Change Starts Here: What if Everything Your School Needed Was Right in Front of You?", co-authored with Efram Learner. Shane shares why they wrote the book, its core philosophy, and how it can help school leaders drive meaningful change by looking inward to their communities rather than constantly seeking external solutions. Pre-order "Change Starts Here" on AmazonKey PointsThe Confidence Crisis: Many schools are experiencing a confidence crisis, constantly looking outside for solutions from consultancies and companies, inadvertently outsourcing their thinkingA Different Approach: Instead of providing prescriptive solutions, the book offers 40 powerful questions organized into 8 stages to unlock the wisdom that already exists within school communitiesBased on Design Thinking: The framework adapts the British Design Council's Double Diamond model for educational settingsAlready a Bestseller: The book has achieved bestseller status within a week of pre-orders being available What Makes This Approach DifferentEmbraces Complexity: Change involves people, and people are complex - this book doesn't try to oversimplify that realityCommunity-Centered: Involving multiple perspectives leads to better quality change and develops genuine buy-inEngages Head and Heart: Questions engage with feelings as much as thoughts, helping people follow through even when change becomes challengingWho Is This Book For?School leaders (primary audience)Teachers developing minds in their classroomsParents supporting their childrenHR managers thinking about recruitment challengesCEOs of school groupsAnyone who believes in community-led change  Episode PartnerThe International Curriculum Association: Learn more

A Call Across the Pond- Guest AppearanceShane Leaning appears as a guest on another podcast.Time zones don't matter when the conversation is this good! This bonus episode features Shane Leaning as a guest on "A Call Across the Pond: Transforming Relationships at School, at Home & Beyond" with Tara Gretton and Vicky Essebag.Episode Highlights:Why most professional development doesn't lead to lasting change in schoolsHow the outsourcing of knowledge has led to a crisis of confidence in schoolsThe four key stages of effective, community-led changeWhy "buy-in" is the wrong approach to school changeThe importance of seeing challenges as perceptions rather than factsHow my podcast journey has evolved and the incredible lessons I've learnedThe critical need to restore respect and status to the teaching profession globallySubscribe to their podcast:A Call Across the Pond: Transforming Relationships at School, at Home & Beyond