Leading Through Crisis, Well-being, and the Hard Decisions with Howard Stribbell & Patrick Hurworth

What does leadership look like when the decisions are difficult, the stakes are high, and the people around you are carrying more than you realise?In this episode of Education Vanguard, Dr. Howard Stribbell sits down with experienced international school leader Patrick Hurworth for a candid conversation about leadership through crisis, wellbeing, vulnerability, and the decisions school leaders are rarely fully prepared to make.Drawing on decades of international school leadership, they explore the connection between student and adult wellbeing, teacher burnout, safeguarding, psychological safety, crisis preparedness, and the importance of having strong professional networks when leadership becomes lonely.Patrick also shares lessons from navigating deeply challenging moments in schools and why leaders need to think beyond the immediate response to consider the longer-term ripples of a crisis.The conversation looks ahead to 21CLHK 2027, where Patrick will help lead a dedicated mental health strand, creating space for educators, counselors, school leaders, and boards to engage more deeply with mental health across school communities.