Positively Leading

As we hurtle towards the holiday season and 2023 comes to a close, it's not uncommon for many of us to feel the weight of exhaustion and stress with so many events in the school calendar. That’s before you even think about the amount of presents to buy and wrap, cooking the perfect Christmas dinner, or the expectations of spending time with family.    The do-to list seems never-ending!   Think hon...

What’s one thing that you’re grateful for today? Do you know your favourite ways to practise gratitude? Have you ever tried to cultivate gratitude within your team or organisation?    Gratitude can transform and significantly impact our well-being, resilience and leadership. It really is a superpower in leadership and life!   In this episode, we’re exploring the core components of gratitude, the t...

Have you ever felt like you don’t belong? Or had the feeling that everyone is so much smarter than you, or you’ll never be good enough to deserve something? Maybe you’re worried your colleagues are going to discover you’re a fraud? If you answered yes to some or all of these, then you might be experiencing imposter syndrome, or, at the very least, an unhealthy dose of self-doubt.  If so, you’re in...

Change can be challenging, whether it's on a personal or organisational level. But by understanding the inner workings of our brains, we can make small adjustments to the way we approach change and achieve better results. Neuroscience and behavioural psychology offer us new perspectives, allowing us to better understand people's motivations and how to effectively lead and engage individuals. It is...

Change is unavoidable - whether it’s in our professional or personal lives. It can be hard and can seem even harder when we haven’t asked for it, we don’t want it, and feel like we have limited control. Fortunately, there are ways to get better at change, and that’s our focus in today’s episode as I share my 10 top tips to help you not only survive change, but thrive through the process.  Tune in...

In this episode, I answer one of the most frequently asked questions: How can I manage my emotions in a difficult conversation? If you’ve ever found yourself in the middle of a tough conversation with emotions running high, and you weren’t sure why or what to do about it (and well, let’s face it, haven’t we all?) then this episode is for you.  Tune in to: Understand the core reasons that make conv...

Are you looking to boost wellbeing, inclusion and performance in your team? Well, taking a strengths-based approach could be just what you need because understanding and utilising strengths can create a ripple effect of positive emotions, better teamwork, and enhanced performance.  In this episode you’ll gain valuable tools and strategies for using strengths effectively with your team. I cover:  T...

We’re often so focused on what we need to do to improve that we don’t recognise our own strengths and what we do well.    Rather than focusing on what’s wrong or what could be better, a strengths-based approach focuses on what is right, what is working, and what is already strong so that you can use the best parts of yourself to overcome challenges, build resilience, and thrive.   But how do you d...

Feedback is a superpower allowing for open, honest and kind conversations, which fuels relationships, learning, and performance.    But to be effective, feedback must be part of your culture. Let’s explore how to make it happen. In today’s episode we will:   Explore why a culture of feedback is needed for learning, growth, and performance Discover 6 ways to build a fabulous feedback-rich environme...

We know that feedback is essential for healthy relationships and professional growth, but sometimes it can be challenging to receive. This is especially the case if you didn’t ask for it, don’t want it, and you don’t agree with it!    In this episode (the third in a series of four on feedback) we explore how to listen to and process any kind of feedback in a positive, constructive way and use it t...

As humans, we crave feedback because we want to learn and grow.    But let’s face it, feedback often sucks, and stats from Gallup show that less than one in five managers think they’re effective at giving feedback! Let’s change that!    This episode’s for you if you’ve ever felt tongue-tied or uncomfortable giving feedback or perhaps you just avoid giving it.   I’ll share how you can give honest,...

Feedback. It’s the lifeblood of learning and growth. It’s a gift. And yet more often than not, it feels anything but and we’d happily return the gift for a refund! Today’s episode is the first in a series of four on feedback and this series is for you if you want to:  Understand the challenges of feedback and overcome them Become more aware of how you respond to feedback and get better at receivin...

​​Knowing your leadership values is a vital part of being an effective leader. When you’re in touch with your values – and live them every day – you can be more transparent, make better decisions, build stronger relationships and trust in your school, and inspire others.    In this episode you’ll discover what leadership values are and the benefits of leading with them. I’ll also share strategies...

As leaders, we’re always learning. And in today's episode, we're diving deep into the topic of learning in leadership, whether you’re an emerging, middle, or senior leader.    We'll talk about why having the right mindset and heartset is so important, and how without cultivating these first, any learning might not be as effective.    I'll also share some useful strategies designed to help leaders...

Building a high-performing team is crucial for success in any organisation. But building a high performing team isn't always easy. Many challenges can arise, from conflicting personalities to unproductive meetings. The key is to create a positive team culture that promotes trust, communication, and a growth mindset.   In today's episode, the third part of our back-to-school series, we dive into th...

Creating a culture of connection is essential in school because feeling like we belong is a core human need. When we feel disconnected this can negatively impact our well-being, our thinking, our productivity and so much more.    In this episode, the second in the back-to-school series, we’ll take a deep dive into culture and explore the different types of school culture and the six ingredients in...

Stepping into a new leadership role can be both exciting and overwhelming.   Whether you’re stepping into a new position or simply seeking actionable insights, this episode is packed with ideas to help you thrive.    As part of our back-to-school series, today we’ll explore the four Ps that will support your approach to leadership: people, purpose, personal, and process.   Tune in and quip yoursel...

Did you know that 82% of New Year's resolutions fail by the end of January and 23% don't even last a week?   The truth is, most change initiatives fail and our brains are wired for survival and conserving energy. That means change can be a real challenge.   In this episode, we are going to be digging deep into the science of habits and successful change. We're going to be covering a few need-to-kn...

Courage is not just about being brave in the face of fear. It's about understanding that fear, acknowledging it, and using it as a stepping stone to achieve your goals.    In today’s episode, I'll offer a perspective on courage that might just knock your socks off (or at least it did mine!). I’ll be sharing my "seven muscles" that you need to strengthen for courageous leadership.   You’ll walk awa...

No two ways about it, it takes confidence to lead. Having healthy levels of self-confidence is critical for success. But how do you shake loose of self-doubt and lead from a more consistent place of confidence? In today’s episode, I’ll talk about two misconceptions about confidence, offering you a fresh perspective on this crucial aspect of personal development. Second, I will share three behavior...

As leaders, we often find ourselves under immense pressure, leading to stress, anxiety, and even burnout.    In today’s episode, I’m going to talk about why taking a break and fully disconnecting from work during holidays is important and a crucial part of our well-being and success as a leader.   I’ll also share the numerous benefits of taking time off and provide you with five practical strategi...

Learning how to set healthy boundaries is a core part of self-care, self-respect and self-leadership. In today’s episode – part two of the series on building braver and better boundaries – we dive into three key areas to help you do just that!    First, I’ll share the rarely discussed yet crucial aspect of boundaries: the difference between reactive and proactive boundary setting.    Second, you’l...

This week’s episode is the first in a two-part series focused on setting healthy boundaries—an essential yet often overlooked element of leadership and personal life.   In this first part, I’ll cover what boundaries are and explain why they're so crucial for your overall well-being. I'll guide you through recognising areas in your life where you might need firmer boundaries, explore why setting th...

Do you ever feel like you're not quite sure what kind of leader you are? Or maybe you're wondering why your team isn't responding to your leadership style?    That's where psychometric testing and leadership archetypes come in.   I'll be sharing my personal experiences with these assessments and explaining how they can help you develop self-awareness and a deeper understanding of different leaders...

Have you ever wondered what it takes to be a truly great and authentic leader?   As a leader, it's essential to be authentic and grounded in your values and principles.   In this episode, we dive deep into the concept of authentic leadership and discuss five key characteristics that define authentic leadership.   I’ll also address three common misconceptions about authentic leadership, as well as...