Soft Leaders are Strong Leaders | A conversation with Ann McPhee

Ann McPhee discusses leadership in an international context and the importance of cultural understanding and effective induction processes. She highlights the pitfalls of autocratic leadership and the myth of strong leadership, emphasising the importance of empathy, listening, and reflection. McPhee also emphasizes the power of soft leadership and the impact of small interactions and relationships in leadership. Overall, the conversation reveals the core of leadership as working with people and prioritizing their needs.

Takeaways

·     Leadership in an international context requires cultural understanding and effective induction processes.

·     Autocratic leadership can lead to bullying and ineffective leadership.

·     Strong leadership is not about being loud or directive, but about empathy, listening, and reflection.

·     Soft leadership is not weak leadership, but a focus on people and relationships.

·     Small interactions and relationships are essential in effective leadership.

·     Putting people first is at the core of leadership.

Links

• Ann McPhee on LinkedIn
• Get Ann and Pam’s book, ‘International Schools: Navigating Leadership Culture & Context’

This episode is supported by the International Curriculum Association. Learn more here.

Thank you for tuning in, and as always, if you found this episode useful, please share your experience. You can find me online on X (@leaningshane), and LinkedIn. My website is shaneleaning.com and email address is shane@shaneleaning.com.

About the host

Shane Leaning is an independent organisational coach based in Shanghai, collaborating with international schools and agencies globally. He co-founded Work Collaborative, a community dedicated to inside-out change in education, and hosts the chart-topping podcast, Global Ed Leaders. Previously, Shane was the Regional Head of Teacher Development for Nord Anglia Education’s China bilingual schools, overseeing professional development across 11 schools. He holds an Executive Master’s in International Education from King’s College London and is a certified organisational development coach.

Passionate about creating agency in schools and empowering leaders, Shane is co-authoring 'Change Starts Here,' due for release in Summer 2024. He is a CollectiveEd Fellow, an Associate of the Teacher Development Trust in the UK, and a TEDx speaker. Living internationally since 2012, with extensive experience in China and Asia, Shane is a recognised voice in international education leadership.

Join Shane's Intensive Leadership Programme at educationleaders.co/intensive

Shane Leaning, an organisational coach based in Shanghai, supports school leaders globally. Passionate about empowment, he is the author of the best-selling 'Change Starts Here.' Shane is a leading educational voice in the UK, Asia and around the world.

You can find Shane on LinkedIn and Bluesky. or shaneleaning.com

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