Send us a text

In this special episode of Positively Leading, we welcome Jade Aim, Principal of Kelmscott Primary School. Jade shares her inspiring path from teaching to leadership, shaped by early family experiences and the power of mentorship. She reflects on building a strong school culture through simple, consistent rituals and a shared school charter that fosters accountability and care.

Jade also shares her game-changing approach to technology—using AI tools to cut through admin overload. From creating differentiated resources and translating documents for families to drafting parent communications and generating reports, AI helps her team stay focused on what matters most: relationships. “What teachers have is relationships,” she says, “and AI can’t build that yet.”

With practical tips on authenticity, gradual change, and asking for help, this episode offers real-world strategies for leaders at every stage.

Did you know there is more? You can access every episode, show notes, links and more via my website Positively Beaming.

Send us a text

Walking into a leadership interview can feel overwhelming, especially in the high-pressure world of educational leadership. But what if the key to success isn’t about having perfect answers, but about telling authentic, memorable stories? After 15 years of coaching school leaders, I’ve seen how striving for perfection often backfires. Interview panels aren’t looking for textbook responses – they want to connect with a real person who brings genuine value, courage, and perspective to their team.

In this episode, part two of Mastering Interviews, I break down five common mistakes candidates make and share a storytelling approach that helps you stand out. Using the SAO framework, you’ll learn how to craft three to five key stories from your experience and shape them into engaging narratives. These stories – when delivered with clarity, vulnerability, and purpose – help panels remember who you are, not just what you’ve done.

The best candidates speak confidently from their leadership values, connect big-picture strategy to real-world results, and manage nerves with simple mindset shifts. If you’re ready to stop reciting bullet points and start sharing the story of who you are as a leader, this episode will give you the tools to do just that.

Did you know there is more? You can access every episode, show notes, links and more via my website Positively Beaming.

Send us a text

Job interviews for leadership roles in education often come down to more than just qualifications. Despite fair intentions, unconscious bias still plays a powerful role in who gets selected. Many capable candidates reach the interview stage but are overlooked – not because of poor performance, but due to hidden dynamics like affinity bias, where panels gravitate toward people who feel familiar.

In this episode, part one on mastering interviews, Jenny Cole dives into what really influences hiring outcomes. She explains why strategic networking and sponsorship are more powerful than traditional preparation alone. While referees speak when asked, sponsors speak up for you without being prompted – often making the crucial difference. You'll also learn how to build professional visibility, mirror interview language, and identify the advocates who can open doors.

If you're stuck in the cycle of missed opportunities, this conversation will change how you approach interviews – and your career. It's time to stop relying on luck and start shaping how you're seen.

Did you know there is more? You can access every episode, show notes, links and more via my website Positively Beaming.

Send us a text

Ever wondered what's really going through the minds of parents raising children with special needs? This candid exploration pulls back the curtain on one of education's most complex relationships.

Drawing from three decades of experience in special education, I share how dramatically classroom dynamics have shifted. Today's mainstream teachers regularly support 8-10 neurodivergent students alongside typically developing peers, often with minimal specialized training. While acknowledging these extraordinary challenges, I invite educators to reconsider how we view parents of children with disabilities.

The powerful "Welcome to Holland" analogy illuminates the profound grief these parents experience. Having prepared for one life journey (Italy) but unexpectedly landing in another (Holland), they're constantly recalibrating at every developmental milestone. The practical challenges are equally overwhelming—navigating complex healthcare systems, managing NDIS funding (essentially "doing taxes every week"), and advocating across multiple settings becomes a full-time job.

What these parents truly desire isn't unreasonable. They want their children to be loved by the adults who care for them, to develop appropriate independence, form meaningful friendships, and acquire skills for adulthood. They want their children to belong in a world that often doesn't accommodate neurodiversity well.

The path forward requires genuine empathy from both sides. Teachers cannot be responsible for what happens at home, and parents cannot control what happens at school. But when educators approach parents with curiosity rather than judgment, recognizing that parents hold valuable expertise about their children, the entire dynamic shifts. As one mother of autistic children explained: "I want you to try what research says works, involve me when possible, and love my child like I do."

Listen as I share personal insights from growing up with a brother with learning difficulties and how that shaped my educational philosophy. This episode offers a thoughtful perspective for anyone navigating the complex territory where parental hopes meet educational realities.

Did you know there is more? You can access every episode, show notes, links and more via my website Positively Beaming.

Send us a text

Ever reached that point where your work becomes so all-consuming that you start losing sight of yourself? That's exactly where I found myself recently – deeply passionate about my work supporting educational leaders, but recognizing the warning signs that preceded burnout in my earlier principalship career.

My leadership journey began unexpectedly in rural schools, finding myself in leadership positions before I fully understood what I was stepping into. After serving as principal across three schools, I eventually burned out – a painful but profound learning experience that taught me the cornerstone of effective leadership: knowing yourself. Understanding your values, motivations, strengths and shadow side isn't just helpful for leadership – it's essential.

Listen to the final episode of Season 3 and hear how I am practising what I preach.

Did you know there is more? You can access every episode, show notes, links and more via my website Positively Beaming.

Send us a text

This week on Positively Leading we've reversed roles! We are excited to share an episode featuring Jenny and interviewed by Jocelyn Seamer for the Structured Literacy Podcast.

-----

Leadership coach Jenny Cole takes us on a journey through the evolving landscape of educational leadership, offering practical wisdom gleaned from her transition from special needs teacher to principal to leadership consultant.

At the heart of this conversation lies a powerful message about confidence: it's not something we wait to receive, but something we build through action. Jenny challenges the paralysis of imposter syndrome, suggesting that all leaders – from classroom teachers to principals – can overcome self-doubt by taking small, imperfect steps rather than waiting until they feel fully prepared. "Confidence comes from doing, not from learning," she emphasizes, encouraging leaders to leverage their existing strengths instead of fixating on perceived deficits.

The discussion delves into the art of challenging conversations, with Jenny drawing a crucial distinction between "concrete conversations" (addressing clear rule violations) and "sensitive conversations" (handling more personal matters). Through practical examples and role-playing, she demonstrates how to use a "feedback bridge" to deliver constructive criticism in ways that maintain relationships while promoting growth. Her approach acknowledges that most educational professionals genuinely want to do well, with resistance often stemming from fear rather than unwillingness.

For principals navigating the rapidly evolving world of literacy instruction, Jenny advocates for humility and regular communication with instructional leaders. She addresses the complexity of modern school leadership, noting how principals now manage responsibilities that would typically be divided among multiple departments in other industries. Despite these challenges, her message remains hopeful: teaching remains an excellent profession filled with dedicated professionals who show up each day committed to making a difference.

Did you know there is more? You can access every episode, show notes, links and more via my website Positively Beaming.

Send us a text

Productivity isn't about doing more—it's about doing what matters most with the limited time and energy we have. As school leadership becomes increasingly complex, with endless demands competing for our attention, finding ways to work smarter becomes essential to our effectiveness and wellbeing. Join me as I continue on from the previous episode with Part 2 in this special productivity series!

----------------

Digital overwhelm is a real challenge for school leaders. The constant stream of tasks, emails, and projects can leave even the most organized administrator feeling underwater. But what if the solution isn't working harder or longer, but instead leveraging the right digital tools?

Microsoft To-Do emerges as an unsung hero for educational leaders. Unlike scattered notes or overloaded calendars, it provides a synchronized task management system accessible from both computer and phone. The ability to categorize tasks, set notifications, and even assign responsibilities to team members transforms individual productivity into collaborative efficiency. When that satisfying "done" sound plays after completing a task, it's not just administrative work—it's progress you can track.

For complex projects that can't be managed with simple to-do lists, Kanban planning tools like Microsoft Planner or Trello create visual workflows that transform chaos into clarity. Whether tracking student assessments, coordinating school events, or managing enrollment processes, these boards allow everyone to see exactly where things stand without endless update meetings. Templates and automations eliminate repetitive work, while proper channel selection (knowing when to use email versus Teams) prevents communication overload.

The most valuable insight might be the simplest: manage your energy before managing your time. Identify when you think best, block that time for deep work, and establish clear boundaries around your calendar. Consider whether skilled administrative support might accomplish in five contracted hours what takes your leadership team days to manage themselves. By working smarter with the digital tools already at your disposal, you can reclaim your focus for what truly matters—educational leadership that makes a difference.

Did you know there is more? You can access every episode, show notes, links and more via my website Positively Beaming.

Send us a text

Productivity isn't about doing more—it's about doing what matters most with the limited time and energy we have. As school leadership becomes increasingly complex, with endless demands competing for our attention, finding ways to work smarter becomes essential to our effectiveness and wellbeing.

In this solo episode, I share my journey as someone who is "naturally disorganized" and a "follower of shiny objects" who has nonetheless developed systems that work. Rather than offering advice as a productivity expert, I'm speaking as a fellow traveler who has tried countless methods and found what actually works in the educational leadership context.

The cornerstone strategy I recommend is setting firm boundaries around your time. I also unpack practical techniques like the Pomodoro method for focused work sprints, calendar management strategies, and simple ways to leverage technology tools you already have but underutilize. Just as most of us only use our microwave's "one minute reheat" despite having thousands of settings, we typically scratch the surface of our technology's capabilities.

Try implementing just one of these strategies this week. Your future self—less frazzled, more accomplished, and with greater headspace for strategic thinking—will thank you for making the change.

Did you know there is more? You can access every episode, show notes, links and more via my website Positively Beaming.