Leadership Launchpads

In this episode we catch up with the most resilient person I know, Domini Choudury and explore why authenticity is her thing, how we can build more trust, her own dark night of the soul and a spooky podcast-linked coincidence

In this episode we get to chat with the amazing Mohamed Abdallah and it's so good we ran out of time!! We get to hear about why we shouldn't underestimate our environment, the power of leveraging local leaders, what he is most grateful for and the life changing impact of miss Simpson.

In this episode, we get to hang out with the brilliant Adam Robbins and find out why he struggles with things that are less than 10 out of 10, how motivational interviewing can be a useful tool, the impact of the rainforest book and why he needs to dial back his sarcasm.

In this episode, we talk with the PRESIDENT of the Chartered College of teaching, Aimee Tinkler and explore why leaders need to hug and hold their staff, who her key igniters have been, how we can amplify others and when she last cried.

In this episode we chat with ex-Army officer and leadership guru, Neil Jurd. We learn about his perfect day, how the loss of his mum and first wife have shaped his life and the power of the 10th voice and the empty chair.

In this episode we speak with the 2024 TES International Principal of the Year, Joanna Povall and learn about the power of pro-social norms, how a comment about her dad changed her life, why we need to build better networks and the one thing she has long dreamed of doing.

In this awesome episode we speak with mi nuevo amigo, Jose Picardo and learn about why a compass is better than GPS, how logistics led him into teaching, the power of amplifying others and the quality he needs to improve the most.

This week, I get to sit down with the nicest and busiest guy I know, Andy Wolfe. We learn about the best time to plant a tree, how a train ride and cup of coffee changed his life and the last time he cried.

In this episode we speak to the multi-talented, former CEO turned leadership expert Alice Gregson on the impact of bullying, the power of pro-social norms, how micromanagement shaped how she leads and the last time she cried.

In this milestone 50th episode, I get to self-indulgently talk about my story. We explore why I still need to make space for others, how to lead like a farmer, my most terrible memory and how Mr Money and a lady with a dog save my life.

This week we get to chat with the ICT evangelist himself, Mark Anderson and learn more about the impact of Boys Brigade, his most treasured memory, why doing nothing should always be an option and his past DJ success

In this episode we get to laugh and learn with the amazing Katie Friedman. We hear how the Mexican police force helped her find her confidence, why looking up is so important in leadership, how to help colleagues stay above the line and the last time she cried.

This week we are privileged to talk with the TDT CEO Gareth Conyard and get to hear about the challenges of OCD, why leaders need to be able to tolerate the grey, what ability he would love to have and how something positive came out of panic.

In this episode, we chat and laugh with the incredible Laura McInerney. We learn about her powerful parents, why we all need to feel welcome and useful, how she tapped into her internal motivation and why an item in a drawer led to her most embarrassing moment!

This week we go international again and catch up with coaching guru Chris Munro. We hear about his Scottish heritage, how a single email can change your life, why takings risks is often worth it and why growth lies within criticality.

In this episode we speak to everyone's favourite CEO, Dame Alison Peacock about all things LOVE! Childhood sweethearts, the importance of investing in staff, the complex nature of praise and what she would save from a fire.

In this episode we speak to the ever surprising and inspiring Oli Cav about all kinds of things including his early sporting prowess, brushes with celebrities, the impact of a controversial training program and why we might all need to practice being embarrassed.

In this episode we get to hear from Dr Deb about the intricacies of innovation, how relocation can unsettle even the strongest leader, her dreams of US travel and what she would save from a house fire

This week, we hear from the undisputed, undefeated champion of talent, Sufian Sadiq and we delve into his most wanted ability, how young enterprise lit a fire that is still burning, why words are cheap and how much he loves his mum (and dad)

This week we get to hang out with the awesome Cat Rushton and find out what she would want to see in a crystal ball, how maintaining belonging is tough as organisations grow, what moving beyond the familiar gave her and why leaders need to hold things lightly.

This week we spend time with the great Andy Buck and learn what he values most in friendship, why leaders must master managing up, his lowest moment, his link to Dame Kelly Holmes and why supporting others still fires him up

In this episode we jump overseas to chat with the inspirational Patrice Bain and we learn about Her dream dinner date, why leaders need to keep their eye on the prize, her big career change and when she last cried in from of someone.

This week we get to spend time with the magnificently modest Sam Twiselton OBE and hear about her most terrible memory, the importance of holding things lightly, and how principles and professional challenge are vital for effective leadership.

In this episode we have an energising chat with award-winning speaker and best-selling author Richard Gerver. We learn about how his tough childhood resulted in resilience, when he last cried and why Gary and Barry are important names in his story.

In this episode we grab some time with Alex Fairlamb and hear about her ideal dinner guest, her belief in pre-mortems, what happened during her break from teaching and why she is so eager to please others.

In this episode we speak with Professor Toby Greany about the importance of differentiated CPD, his current research into sustainable leadership and when he last cried in front of someone else. We also get to hear about his treasured memories and why collaboration is key.

In this episode we speak to the man himself David Monis-Weston and learn about why the quality of execution is everything, how an organ transplant transformed his life and how he recently cried for the best reason ever.Connect with David and his workLinkedin @David-westonPurposeful VenturesInformed Education

In this episode we speak with the incredible Yamina Bibi and explore her Dyslexia, why managing underperformance is tricky but vital, how her faith underpins everything and how we can address the retention problem by loving the ones we are with.Connect with Yamina and her workLinkedin - @yamina-bibiwww.yaminabibi.co.uk

** Trigger Warning **In this episode we learn more about the legend that is Ross McGill, his unconventional upbringing, the challenge of cognitive biases and how childhood trauma equipped him with a deep well of resilience.Connect with Ross and his work:Linkedin @teachertoolkitwww.teachertoolkit.co.uk

This week we get to soak up some of the energy and expertise of Siobhan Meredith. We explore why leaders need to hold things lightly, how being the youngest head in the country was an ignition point and her most embarrassing moment.Connect with Siobhan and her work:Linkedin @siobhan-meredithwww.tedwraggtrust.co.uk

In this episode we speak with the King of Teams, Sam Crome and learn why leaders should speak last, what a perfect day would look like, when he last cried and of course what makes an effective team.Connect with Sam and his work:Linkedin @Sam-cromewww.samcrome.com/

This time we speak with the inspirationally courageous Diana Osagie and learn about the power of the inference ladder, the day she decided to be a head, the challenges of strike action and what she would save from a fire.Connect with Diana and her work:Linkedin @diana-osagiewww.courageousleadership.co.uk

In this episode we chat with the queen of culture and curriculum Lekha Sharma and get to know more about her amazing parents, why communication rarely arrives intact, how failure became an ignition point and why she often needs to be kinder to herself.Engage with Lekha and her WorkLinkedin - lekhasharmaBlue Sky - @lekhasharma.bsky.social‬Books:Curriculum to Classroom: A Handbook to Prompt Thinking Around Primary Curriculum Design and Delivery - LINKBuilding Culture: A handbook to harnessing human nature to create strong school teams - LINKBlog = Teacher Feature - LINK

In this episode we chat with the multi-talented Adam Boxer and explore the power of subtraction, what he is most grateful for, why he commonly asks leaders to look in the mirror and out the window and how he is working to manage his ego.Connect with Adam and his work:Linkedin @adam-boxerwww.carousel-learning.com

This week we get to spend time with my coaching role model Liz Barratt. We find out why she needs a pause button, how we can LEAP through challenging conversations, why change must start with acknowledgement and how Maternity leave changed her life.Connect with Liz and her work:Linkedin @liz-barratt

In this episode we speak with the quietly brilliant Sam Fitzpatrick. We learn more about his wiggly career path, what he values most in friendship, the danger of being evidence obsessed and how a New York City school taught him that you can have Joy and Rigour at the same time.Connect with Sam and his work:Linkedin @sam-fitzpatrickwww.samfitzpatrick.substack.com/

This week we get to speak to the original PUNK leader Keziah Featherstone and explore her push for everyone to be 10% braver, why purpose is so important, who she would love to have dinner with and how a postcode conversation changed her life.Connect with Keziah and her work:Linkedin @Keziah-featherstone-fcctAmazon author page - LINK

In this episode we speak to a 'old' colleague of mine who has now reached the well-deserved heights of CEO and explore how there is no perfect leadership style, how he would love some more patience, why work-life balance is very personal and how a fortune cookie changed his life!

In this episode we spend an hour with the energising and inspiring CEO of PIXL, Rachel Johnson. We explore the importance of self-care, why belonging is not guaranteed, how a car accident led to love and why trust from above is so important for confidence.Engage with Rachel and her Work:Linkedin - rachel-johnsonWebsite - https://www.pixl.org.uk/Books - Amazon Author Page

In this episode we chat with the multi-talented coach and experienced system leader, Dr Jim Rogers. We delve into what he feels most grateful for, why we need to look past the seductive, the power of soft skills and how stepping into his suit was a key ignition point.Engage with Jim and his Work:Linkedin - jdrjdrogersWebsite - drjimrogers.co.uk

In this episode we chat with the international teaching and coaching expert Nicholas McKie. We explore how a newspaper clipping changed his life, why we shouldn’t take our health for granted, the power of rumbling and why his happiness isn’t linked to stuff.Engage with Nicholas and his work:Linkedin - nicholasmckieWebsite - PersyouBook - All Ways Coaching

In this episode we get to know the incredible Jenny Webb and uncover how she balances teaching, leading and running a company. We explore why its important for leaders to keep their eye on the prize, what she would save from a fire and how she tries to make herself unnecessary.Engage with Jenny and her Work:Linkedin - jennifer-webb-funkypedagogyWebsite - funkypedagogy.comBooks - Amazon Author Page

In this episode we chat with the incredibly experienced and humble leader and author Paul K Ainsworth. We explore his dream dinner guest, the importance of widening our PD gaze, How silver bullets changed his life and why the behaviour equation is an important consideration for leaders.Engage with Paul and his Work:Linkedin - paul-k-ainsworthWebsite - INFINITY ACADEMIES TRUSTBooks - Amazon Author Page

In this episode we chat with the mesmerizing founder of the educational coach, Julie Keyes. We learn about her Kaizen childhood, how triple loop learning can get us closer to the real problem, when she last cried and how a single lunch changed her whole life.Engage with Julie and her Work:Linkedin - theeducationalcoachWebsite - Theeducationalcoach.co.uk

In this episode we chat with the incredible David Didau about poor proxies for leadership, how we wishes he could pause time, being homeless in Amsterdam and how a family incident provided both fear and relief. *Sensitive Content*

In this episode we chat with everyone’s favourite edu-author Kate Jones about her obsession with Paul McCartney, her work on and with evidence-based education, how a series of failed promotions led to a brighter future and why everyone needs a Geoff!

In this episode we get to pick the brain of a key player in the professional development journeys of most teachers including myself, Rob Coe. We hear about his desire to get closer to the frontline, his contentment with not knowing the future and how even he needed a push to take on an academic challenge!

In this episode we chat with the inspirational and energising Tracy Goodyear about her working class upbringing, the work ethic its given her and her healthy PLN. We then go deeper into her use of pre-mortems, her support of those on maternity and the key role leaders play in the grief process.

In this episode we get to talk with a leadership development hero of mine, professor David Pendleton and hear more about the upbringing that shaped him, the three core components of a good friendship and how he wishes he had more patience.Engage with David and His Work:Linkedin - david-pendleton-dphil-566441a/Books:Leadership: All You Need To Know 2016 - LINKLeadership: No More Heroes 2020 - LINKWork-Life Matters: Crafting a New Balance at Work and at Home 2021 - LINK

In this episode we get to chat with evidence-based teaching evangelist Jade Pearce and get to hear more about her hatred for sleep, love for toy story, inability to cry and the dramatic shift that occurred when she started engaging with research and evidence.