Emma Bateman: Why business isn't a dirty word in education
May 3, 2022
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Emma Bateman, COO of Repton Schools Group, discusses the role of business in education. Topics include her experience working on the trading floor, her motivations in work, the responsibilities of a COO, planning for the future, travel preferences, and the importance of curiosity and playfulness in education.
Building trust and collaboration in leadership is crucial for creating a cohesive and effective team.
Understanding and meeting the needs of different customer groups is vital for creating a positive customer experience in an educational institution.
Curiosity is a driving force in effective leadership, fueling a desire to understand and connect with team members and create meaningful change.
Deep dives
Importance of Building Trust and Collaboration in Leadership
Building trust and collaboration in leadership is crucial for creating a cohesive and effective team. As a number two or a member of a leadership team, humility and the ability to be a check and balance are important traits. Additionally, understanding the needs of your colleagues and being of service to them helps foster strong relationships. A leader should also be comfortable with ambiguity and have an agile mindset to navigate change and plan for the future. Balancing cohesion and plurality within the organization allows for different perspectives and specialized roles, as long as there is a shared purpose and alignment of values.
Creating a Frictionless Customer Experience
In an educational institution, the concept of customers is broad and includes parents, guardians, pupils, and academic staff. Understanding and meeting the needs of these different customer groups is vital for creating a positive customer experience. This involves being realistic and honest about the organization's financial stability, sharing relevant information with staff, and aligning the organization's actions with the expectations of customers. Additionally, remaining agile and anticipating future shifts in customer expectations allows for continuous improvement and adaptation.
The Power of Curiosity in Leadership
Curiosity is a driving force in effective leadership. A curious leader is always seeking to learn and understand, even in areas that may not naturally interest them. This curiosity extends to understanding why people behave the way they do and what motivates them. By being curious about the intricacies of human behavior and the idiosyncrasies of individuals, leaders can create a better understanding and connection with their teams. This curiosity also fuels a desire to leave a positive impact on others' lives and create meaningful change in the world around them.
Navigating Change and Tradition in Traditional Organizations
Leading change in traditional organizations, such as longstanding schools, requires a delicate balance of respect, compromise, and understanding the culture. Change should be implemented with the right timing and pace to ensure it lands effectively within the organization. Maintaining respect for the traditions and history of the organization while driving change is crucial. Effective leaders in traditional organizations navigate tensions, create opportunities for dialogue, and embrace flexibility to bring about positive, yet respectful, transformations.
Embracing Ambiguity and Planning for the Future
Leadership involves embracing ambiguity and planning for an uncertain future. Rather than predicting specific outcomes, leaders should focus on creating flexible organizations that can adapt to changing circumstances. Setting assumptions and regularly assessing and adjusting plans allows for better decision-making and long-term development. Balancing planning and agility helps leaders navigate ambiguity with a clear vision and realistic goals for their organizations.
In this episode Director of Persyou Ltd Nicholas McKie welcomes Emma Bateman, Chief Operating Officer, of the Repton Schools Group. Emma’s current role is responsible for all professional services and all operational support to the three UK schools and other group entities. Her role is also responsible for Mergers and Acquisitions and Digital Strategies as well as delivering group strategy, income and services through Repton School Enterprises and Repton International Schools Limited. Emma joined Repton in 2019 from a broad commercial and corporate career, which began on a city trading floor. Prior to her commercial career, Emma began life as an academic, studying for a PhD in American History, lecturing in American Studies at Birmingham and Warwick Universities. This is a fascinating and honest conversation that unpicks why business isn’t (always) a dirty word in the education sector.
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