Ep: 245: Professor Viviane Robinson: The power of student-centred leadership.

I’m joined today by Professor Viviane Robinson, one of the most influential thinkers in educational leadership. This is the second time that I have the privilege of speaking with her. Viviane is the author of Student-Centred Leadership, a book that has quietly but powerfully reshaped how school leaders around the world think about their work. At its heart is a deceptively simple question: What leaders do, day to day, that genuinely makes a difference to students. In this upcoming conversation, we explore what student-centred leadership really demands in practice. Not the slogans or surface-level frameworks, but the hard choices, the relational work, and the moments where leaders have to keep learning at the centre, even when the pressure is on. We discuss trust, instructional leadership, goal setting, and why well-intentioned leaders can sometimes stray from the very students they aim to serve. It’s a thoughtful, challenging, and deeply practical conversation for anyone leading in schools or considering a leadership role. One to sit with, reflect on, and return to as you think about impact and purpose in your own leadership work.