Positively Leading

Send us Fan Mail Join us for an inspiring chat with Jess Wilson, Deputy Principal of Doomadgee Primary School in Queensland. Jess shares her journey from University to teaching in London, and how she found her way to the unique and remote community of Doomadgee. She talks about what drew her to this role and the powerful lessons she’s learned along the way. In this episode, Jess dives into the cha...

Send us Fan Mail Unlock the secrets of strategic goal-setting with our special guest, Dr. Pete Stebbins, as we explore the art of transforming dreams into reality in the fifth and final episode in our special Summer Series. This episode promises to take you beyond the standard SMART goals to introduce the concepts of stretch goals and mini adventures, pushing you to expand your boundaries. Dr. Pet...

Send us Fan Mail What if you could design a life brimming with purpose and joy, regardless of the obstacles in your path? In this thought-provoking 4th episode of Positively Leading's Summer Series, we sit down with Dr. Pete Stebbins, the brilliant mind behind "Living Your Endless Summer Life Strategy." Dr. Stebbins shares his expertise on creating a life strategy that enables you t...

Send us Fan Mail In Part 3 of the Summer Series, Dr. Pete Stebbins and I continue discussing principal and school leader wellbeing.  In this episode, we tackle the second big question: Why do school leaders allow work overload to consume their personal time, often at the expense of their own growth and relationships? Drawing on research, lived experiences, and real world examples, we look at the h...

Send us Fan Mail This week on Positively Leading , I'm joined by Dr Pete Stebbins for part two of our special series on leadership and well-being. We're diving deep into the first of two critical questions: what drives us as leaders to endure high levels of personal distress, often at the expense of our own health? Pete highlights the stark reality that school leaders face, with a stagge...

Send us Fan Mail This week on Positively Leading , I welcome Dr Pete Stebbins, an executive coach and psychologist with a wealth of experience in both clinical work and the education sector. Pete will be joining us for a special five part series on leadership and well-being. In this epsiode we dive into the re-release of his book Life Strategy: Living Your Endless Summer , discussing the significa...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Positively Leading, Jenny introduces the 7 Key Elements of the Starting Strong Framework, discussing what educational leaders need to consider to start the year off right. Jenny believes it doesn't matter if it is the start of the year, the start of a new role or even just the start of a project - there are key aspects to consider for yourself and your team...

Send us Fan Mail This week on Positively Leading, Hazel Herd, a dynamic Scottish Australian, shares her incredible journey of transformation from student teacher to Deputy Principal of Curriculum in the vibrant, multicultural school community of the Pilbara region in Western Australia. Discover how Hazel's leap into leadership, inspired by the post-COVID need for change and backed by her supp...

Send us Fan Mail This week on Positively Leading, I chat with Hayatti Miller, an Associate Principal at a new secondary college who is passionate about student voice and data-driven decision-making. She shares her inspiring leadership journey, rooted in resilience and curiosity, shaped by her challenging childhood experiences. We discuss mentorship and how it has propelled her career from classroo...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Positively Leading, I chat with Linda Griffin, a principal in Western Australia, whose extensive journey in education has shaped her unique leadership approach. Linda shares her experiences from diverse educational settings, emphasising the importance of curiosity and deep listening in fostering strong relationships with staff, students, and the community. We ex...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Positively Leading, I chat with Alice Vigors, an educational leader dedicated to cultivating creativity and high quality teaching in schools. Alice shares her path from classroom teacher to relieving principal in New South Wales, highlighting how her experiences have shaped her approach to leadership. We discuss the power of relationships in education, and Alice...

Send us Fan Mail Join me this week on Positively Leading as I speak with Tamara Doig, a principal from Perth, who transitioned from media and journalism to education. Her love for teaching began through volunteering, and she now leads schools to create innovative opportunities for all learners, promoting curiosity, agency and real-world skills. We discuss the Creative Schools Project, which blends...

Send us Fan Mail What if the key to unlocking your child's potential lies in understanding their unique learning needs? Join us on Positively Leading as we sit down with Susan Hughes, a former management accountant turned passionate advocate for children with learning disabilities. Learn how Susan's personal journey with her son’s dyslexia and ADHD inspired her to transform her career an...

Send us Fan Mail Today on Positively Leading I sit down with the inspiring Amie Fabry, PhD, Director of Early Childhood at The Learning Future. Amy takes us through her captivating career journey from an early childhood teacher in Western Australia to a leadership powerhouse. She shares her unique experiences at Edith Cowan University, working with the education department, and conducting research...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome back to Positively Leading the Podcast! This episode is a little different as it gives you a peek behind the scenes at Positively Beaming HQ. Have you ever wondered what a day in the life as a coach and consultant looks like. Join me, Jenny Cole, as I pull back the curtain on my daily life, from scheduling interviews with school leaders during their busiest times to planni...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode we delve into the fascinating world of the DISC personality profile. I'm Jenny Cole, and I'm excited to explore this invaluable tool that can truly transform leadership and team dynamics. Have you ever wondered why some leaders just seem to effortlessly connect with their teams? Well, it's not magic—it's all about understanding individual work s...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered how to transform feedback from a dreaded task into a powerful tool for growth? This week on Positively Leading, I promise you’ll gain the insights and strategies to do just that! We start by unpacking the three essential types of feedback—affirming, coaching, and corrective—and how each can be leveraged for both professional development and organizational success. Dr...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered what truly drives your team members and how to harness that for success? Tune into this episode of Positively Leading the Podcast, where we uncover practical strategies to level up your one-on-one meetings. By asking compelling, open-ended questions, you'll gain deep insights into your team's motivations, setting the stage for a year of productivity and suc...

Send us Fan Mail Join us for an enlightening conversation with Pauline Winrow, the dedicated Principal of Coolbellup Learning Centre. Discover her inspiring journey from early teaching aspirations and student politics to significant roles in labour politics and education. Pauline's personal experiences have fueled her passion for inclusive education, shaping her unique leadership philosophy....

Send us Fan Mail What if you could turn an unexpected career twist into a fulfilling journey of personal and professional growth? Join us as we sit down with Emma Gentle, whose path from a teacher’s aide to an assistant principal and eventually a business owner is as inspiring as it is instructive. Emma takes us through her unique experience of balancing work and study, and how a pivotal moment in...

Send us Fan Mail Are you ready to transform your leadership approach and foster a culture of continuous improvement within your team? Discover how regular one-on-one meetings can be the game-changer you’ve been looking for. In this episode of Positively Leading, we dive into the powerful strategy of proactive coaching and how it can grow performance and relationships in your organization. Drawing...

Send us Fan Mail Unlock the secrets to building high-performance teams in schools with Australia's leading expert, Dr. Pete Stebbins. Pete's incredible journey from aspiring park ranger to clinical psychologist and organizational psychology expert offers a wealth of insights into reducing workplace stress and enhancing team efficacy. Discover why high-performance teams are essential for...

Send us Fan Mail This week I speak with Denise Shillinglaw, whose inspiration includes Nelson Mandela and Princess Diana. Denise reveals the pivotal moments that shaped her career, her early passion for teaching, and her commitment to fostering a nurturing environment for her students. She is a published author on Two Way Learning with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and share what t...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered how one educator can transform the entire culture of a school? In this  episode of Positively Leading the Podcast, we sit down with Heidi McGlashan, a dedicated educator and staunch advocate for often-overlooked students. Through  stories, Heidi shares her evolution from a music teacher to an advocate for students for literacy  She recounts pivotal moments that fuele...

Send us Fan Mail This episode is a little different as I reflect on the  life and leadership of Ashley Mottershead (dec),  one of the most self-reflective Principals I have had a privilege to know.  Firstly, I discuss Hamilton’s Six Essential Attributes for Successful School Leaders and highlight Ashley’s story, demonstrating the power of openness, trustworthiness, resilience, and more. Learn how...