Above and Beyond
By The Greenshaw Learning Trust
There are also lessons that we can learn from elsewhere; other industries, other sectors, other countries, and other ways of thinking. In this podcast, we meet with inspirational and successful individuals to explore the experiences that have shaped their careers and the practices that have made them the leader they are today.
Above and BeyondAug 15, 2022
David Bridges
What can we learn from construction?
David Bridges is the Chief Executive Officer at Tilia Homes, a British housebuilding company. He has worked in a range of different construction and house building companies and has previously worked for Deloitte as a management consultant.
In this episode we discuss his philosophy of freedom within a framework, the importance of visibility in leadership, and how he designed his standard operating procedures.
Music: www.bensound.com
Major Richard Mingay
What can we learn from religion?
Major Richard Mingay is a senior leader in the Salvation Army, and was the present officer in Regent Hall; a Salvation Army centre on Oxford Street. He has held a number of leadership roles in the church, including leading Salvation Army centres throughout the UK.
In this episode we discuss purpose being more important than preference, simplifying messages, and why people should always have hope and optimism.
Music: www.bensound.com
Peter Thomson
What can we learn from advertising agencies?
Peter Thomson is an Advertising executive who founded the global boutique advertising agency M2M. In 2019 he founded The Press Business (TPB), another boutique firm that specialises in getting adverts into print newspapers.
In this episode we discuss the difference between management and leadership, KPIs, and branding.
Music: www.bensound.com
Hannah Smart
What can we learn from specialist education?
Hannah Smart is the Headteacher of Ace Tiverton, a specialist secondary school, educating students with ASC and linked social, emotional and mental health needs.
In this episode we discuss why every interaction is an intervention, filling your bucket, prioritising your wellbeing, and resilience.
Music: www.bensound.com
Dennis Simms
What can we learn from alternative provision?
Dennis Simms is a Senior Researcher at the Centre for Social Justice, Co-chairs the heads forward group, and was previously a headteacher for an Alternative Provision school. He is the co-author of the report Providing the Alternative.
In this episode we discuss leadership purpose, creating listening groups, diversity and inclusion, and research into what makes an excellent alternative provision.
Music: www.bensound.com
Andy Bennett QPM
What can we learn from the police?
Andy Bennett is the Avon and Sommerset Chief Officer for the Special Constabulary and was previously a Superintendent in the Avon and Sommerset Police force. In 2021 he was awarded the Queen's Police Medal (QPM) for his work tackling hate crime and bringing police and communities closer in Bristol.
In this episode we discuss the importance of seeing the front line, reflecting after crises, why sergeants have it the hardest, and how best to deliver challenge.
Music: www.bensound.com
Karen Wespieser MBE
What can we learn from start-up business?
Karen is an education researcher and has worked for NFER, CfBT, and the BBC amongst others. She is fascinated by education and in her spare time is a Trustee of Greenshaw Learning Trust and sits on her local school appeals panel. In 2020 Karen was awarded an MBE for services to children with special educational needs.
In this episode we discuss small team leadership, managing upwards, and the importance of empathy and networks.
Music: www.bensound.com
Joseph Smith
What can we learn from the creative arts?
Joseph is currently the Producer for Rocket Stage, the theatrical arm of Sir Elton John and David Furnish's production company; Rocket Entertainment. He is also the co-owner of Smith & Brant Theatricals (SBT), which produced the global hit musical Come From Away which won 4 Olivier awards in 2019. Previous to his work for Rocket Entertainment, Joseph was the Executive Producer of Old Vic Productions. Joe has been Chief Executive of Stage One for 10 years.
In this episode we discuss legacy responsibility, integrity of organisations, how autonomy is leadership development, and independence within a framework.
Music: www.bensound.com
Kiran Gill
What can we learn from the charity sector?
Kiran Gill is the founder and CEO of The Difference, a charity which works to drive improvements in outcomes for vulnerable learners. Kiran Gill began her career teaching in inner-city London Schools. In April 2016, Kiran had left the classroom and was Head of Policy at the Social Mobility Commission when she had the idea for The Difference.
In this episode we discuss scaling organisations, keeping quality as you grow, lessons learnt from being a school and charity leader, persuading others, and shaping messages to suit the needs of your audience.
Music: www.bensound.com
Anne Spackman
What can we learn from journalism?
Anne Spackman is the Non-exec director at RICS and Profusion data consultancy, the Chair of Trustees at Greenshaw Learning Trust and advisor to TapIn, a BAME-focused marketing agency. She is a former journalist, digital executive and director at Times Newspapers and charity CEO.
In this episode we discuss what bad leadership is, clear vision, similarities between the public sector and the private sector, and leadership as a responsibility.
Music: www.bensound.com
John McAlinden (Colonel John Thomas McMustard)
What can we learn from musicians?
Colonel Mustard and the Dijon 5 are a Scottish alternative/comedy/dance/rock band based in Glasgow, and John McAlinden (a.k.a The Colonel) is the founder and frontman of the band.
In this episode we discuss how you deliberately choose fun as a strategic aim, barriers, managing people and musicians, and spotting talent.
Music: www.bensound.com
Richard Graham
What can we learn from politics?
Richard Graham is the MP for Gloucester, and has previously worked as an airline manager, a diplomat, and a financial manager.
In this episode we discuss working where is most needed, having pride in your work and instilling pride in others, admitting to your own mistakes, and creating a synergy of interests.
Music: www.bensound.com
Laura McInerney
What can we learn from EdTech?
Laura McInerney is an education journalist, public speaker, author, former teacher, and co-founder of the Edtech company Teacher Tapp.
In this episode we discuss the similarities and differences between journalism, educational technology, and teaching, what integrity means, and the secret to delivering challenging messages.
Music: www.bensound.com
Ndidi Okezie OBE
What can we learn from the charity sector?
Ndidi Okezie OBE is the CEO of UK Youth; a leading charity with a movement of over 5,500 youth organisations, reaching 1.6M young people. Prior to this, she worked as a teacher and school leader for ten years, spent six years as the Executive Director of Teach First, and lead on Digital and Customer Voice Strategy for Pearson PLC. She is a Board Trustee for the youth homelessness charity Centrepoint, The Mulberry Schools Trust and The National Citizen Service. She also co-hosts the podcast 'Are You Convinced?' (previously 'Go With Me On This').
In this episode we discuss her route to leadership, the range of roles she has experienced, the importance of humility, and the transferability of school leadership skills.
https://www.instagram.com/ndidi1st/
Music: www.bensound.com
Dale Vince OBE
What can we learn from the energy industry?
Dale Vince OBE is a green energy industrialist, entrepreneur, the Executive Producer of Seaspiracy, and the chairman of Forest Green Rovers football club.
In this episode we discuss Dale's distributive leadership style, the belief that you can't keep politics out of anything, why Dale acts first and talks later, why he believes business is the best way to change the world, his concept of persuasion without permission, and why fun is an integral part of everything he does.
https://www.instagram.com/zerocarbonista/
Music: www.bensound.com