Purpose, Why We Do What We Do.
There is a school of thought that expresses that each of us having an individual purpose can be, and sometimes is, counter-productive to strong team-wide alignment to the common purpose of the organisation. If we work on the premise that our common purpose provides us with the deeper ‘why’ we do what we do, I am of […]
Connecting to our Common Story
Hearing the often overwhelming stories being shared about the inimitable Archie Roach in recent days has caused me to consider the crucial place that “story” plays in all of our lives and organisations. In Archie Roach’s superb autobiography, “Tell Me Why,” he talks about the work he and inspirational Indigenous elder, Jack Charles undertook with […]
Unleashing the talent that surrounds us
In his book, “The Element” the late and truly brilliant educator, author, speaker and leader, Sir Ken Robinson wrote a rather bemusing story about Paul McCartney’s education. McCartney was a student at the Liverpool Institute and despite his prodigious talent and his love of music he never enjoyed music lessons at school. He went through […]
Authoring My Own Future
This time last year I felt compelled to send cards to about 30 young people who were completing their Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) year. I had been their primary school principal and had seen them joyously graduating from our school in 2014. I wanted to reassure each and every one of these brilliant young […]
Developing a culture that helps the least abled to thrive
Some months ago, a friend asked me what questions he should ask as he and his partner contemplated which secondary school they would send their eldest son to. Having met with literally thousands of parents over 26 years of principalships I came to realise that perhaps the best question any prospective parent can ask a […]
Investing in People and Culture
Reading two articles that our colleagues Lisa Alexander and Ray McLean recently shared with all at Leading Teams reminded me of the incredible significance of all organisations being very clear about their core purpose; that is why they exist.
Supporting our Beginning Teachers to Author a Wonderful Future
[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.22″ fb_built=”1″ _i=”0″ _address=”0″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” _i=”0″ _address=”0.0″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” _i=”0″ _address=”0.0.0″ custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.27.4″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” _i=”0″ _address=”0.0.0.0″] In a school community that I was blessed to lead in recent times we adopted the mantra, “We are the Authors of our own Future.” The entire school community; staff, students […]