Do the work you really want to do.
My work is all about you.
I want to see you do the work you really want to do.
Being a school leader is a full on job. I get it – you never have enough time to do everything you want to do. It’s especially hard to find the time to do the things that matter to you most.
Admin, maintenance, unruly students, aggressive parents, staff issues, and more.
I can’t promise to take any of those things away.
But I can show you a path that allows you to get the really important things done.
Let’s talk and I can tell you more.
I have no cherished outcome*
If you are looking to me to give you answers, you will be disappointed.
If you are looking for someone who will help you find the answers, then I can help you.
I heard the quote, “I have no cherished outcome”, recently, spoken by Elizabth Gilbert.
That quote perfectly sums up the work I do with you. I have no predetermined outcome in mind and I encourage you to allow the path forward to become apparent as we work together. If you want someone to help you become more forceful, more empathetic, a better communicator or more collaborative, there are people who can help you.
But that’s not what I offer. At least directly. Any of those things might come up in our work together and I can start you on the path of achieving them. The important thing, though, is that we allow them to arise as over many years, I’ve found the thing we most need to do is not the thing that was at first obvious to us.
If you want to start that journey, let’s have a chat. Click the ‘Let’s Chat’ button on any page.
Being a Leader is like being a Jazz musician.
I read an interesting article recently about how to become a good Jazz musician. The writer had a few great suggestions. But the following quote sums it up beautifully:
The people you love listening to, musicians like John Coltrane, Charlie Parker, Oscar Peterson, or Bill Evans, learned how to play jazz by studying what came before them, figuring it out for themselves, and building upon it in their own unique way.
It’s the same with leadership.
Study the leaders you admire (go back to Ghandi or Mandela if you like). Figure out how they did what they did and how their background contributed to what they were able to do.
Then figure out for yourself what you can learn from them and the BUILD ON IT in your own unique way.
A mentor once said to me it’s like trying on clothes. A certain outfit might look good on someone else so you try it on for yourself and see if it fits. Sometimes it does and sometimes it doesn’t.
So you can do this with leadership styles and skills. You might observe a leader you admire doing a certain thing so you decide you will ‘try it on’ and see if it works for you. If it seems a good fit, then build on it and make it your own.
Over the last several years I have interviewed many school leaders. The thing that struck me through this process is how different they are. Some are quietly spoken and prefer not to be the focus of attention. Others find a natural place in being at the front. But the one thing that is common in all is their passion and a deep sense of purpose.
Meet Chris
* Experienced * Erudite * Wise * Gracious * Nurturing * Insightful * Caring * Innovatiove * Visionary
These are some of the words people I’ve worked with use to describe me.
Where others see problems, I see solutions.
I’ve done a lot in my 40 year career – from my early days in education, to founding tech startups and then working in consulting. I’ve been in boardrooms and executive suites, and I’ve also worked with factory workers, builders, salespeople, and lowly clerks who are also just ordinary people facing ordinary problems.
The problems leaders in these industries face are not very different from those faced by most school leaders. The single biggest issue they all face is ambiguity. No one knows for certain what the future holds, and no one knows for certain what to do next.
This is why I focus on courage.
I have never lost my enduring passion for education. Leaders in education need to act with courage just as much as leaders in any other organisation. We can’t afford to get it wrong but we can’t know for certain how to get it right.
I use all the qualities I began with to help you navigate the course ahead. Not knowing but doing anyway.
What my clients say
I have had the opportunity to work with Chris as a leadership coach and have found he has an exceptional ability to inspire and empower individuals to achieve their potential. With a wealth of experience in leadership development, Chris demonstrates a unique talent for identifying and nurturing the strengths of those he works with.
His approach to coaching fosters growth and resilience, with a focus on enabling individuals to navigate challenges with confidence and grace. Through insightful guidance and effective strategies, Chris empowers leaders to cultivate strong relationships, foster innovation, and drive meaningful change within their organisations.
Corrine Armour
Keynote Speaker | Coach
Working with Chris is not for the faint hearted! In the 6 months we worked together Chris has asked me some tricky questions and turned a few things upside down.
He also completely gets my notion of community, and the interconnectedness of contribution to my work.
I've had the pleasure of connecting with Chris and have always been struck by his genuine care for educators and their well-being. He brings compassion, insight, and a grounded perspective to every conversation. Chris understands the challenges teachers face and advocates for practical, meaningful strategies—whether it's through reflective practices like journaling or encouraging simple, restorative habits like walking in nature.
Nery Seto
Mathematics Teacher | Speaker | Instructional Coach