The Human Side of School Leadership

How Courage, Connection and Care Transform Culture
1. Auflage 2026
ISBN: 978-1-041-00305-2
Verlag: Routledge

Buch, Englisch, 144 Seiten, Format (B × H): 153 mm x 216 mm, Gewicht: 308 g

We often talk about leadership as strategy, structure, and outcomes — but what if the real work begins with how we treat each other?

This guide offers a deeply human exploration of what it means to lead schools where people truly matter. Drawing on years of coaching and wellbeing supervision with headteachers, CEOs, and leadership teams, Shaheen Myers provides a powerful reimagining of leadership that places care, connection and courage at its core.

From Teach Me How to Treat You and Carefrontations to Rethinking Performance Management, each chapter empowers leaders to cultivate a sense of belonging and resilience in their teams. Case studies, reflection exercises and insights from a range of leaders, including Mary Myatt (an education adviser, writer and speaker) and Sufian Sadiq (Director of Teaching School and Co-president Elect for Chartered College of Teaching), invite the reader to pause, reflect, and realign their values, asking:

- What happens when we lead with authenticity, not armour?

- How do we build cultures where people feel seen, valued, and safe?

- How can leaders sustain themselves while supporting everyone else?

Grounded in evidence, lived experience and empathy, this book will leave the reader feeling supported, valued and equipped to grow both personally and professionally. It is an essential resource for all senior leaders who are committed to creating thriving and supportive school communities.

Zielgruppe

Professional Practice & Development

Autoren/Hrsg.

Myers, Shaheen

Fachgebiete

• Sozialwissenschaften Pädagogik Lehrerausbildung, Unterricht & Didaktik Lehrerausbildung
• Sozialwissenschaften Pädagogik Schulen, Schulleitung Schulleitung, Schulentwicklung

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Foreword

Chapter 1: Story of Origin - My Why

Interlude – Ann Palmer

Chapter 2: Care, Connection and Culture

Interlude – Mary Myatt

Chapter 3: Teach Me How to Treat You

Interlude – Narinder Gill

Chapter 4: Connecting Questions and Transforming Meetings

Interlude – Sufian Sadiq

Chapter 5: Performance Management – A Shift Worth Making

Interlude – Andy Buck

Chapter 6: Carefrontations – Enabling the Hard Conversations Through Psychological Safety

Interlude – Yamini Bibi

Chapter 7: Head Teachers – How to Care for Yourself When You’re Responsible for the Welfare of All

Interlude – Bushra Nasir

Final Reflections

References

Index

Über Autor(innen)

Shaheen Myers is the founder of Balance:ed, an organisation dedicated to transforming school leadership through wellbeing, culture and connection. A former headteacher, executive leader, deputy director for a large local authority, coach, and trusted advisor to multi-academy trusts, Shaheen works nationally with school and trust leaders to embed sustainable practices that prioritise people alongside performance.