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Guest: Sahreen Siddiqui

Position: Educator, Headteacher, Executive Leader and Consultant
Location: London, UK

Key Themes Discussed:

Service-Centred Leadership

Sahreen explores how service forms the foundation of her leadership philosophy, driving her commitment to student achievement, staff empowerment, and effective school leadership. This value system shapes every aspect of her professional approach and personal mission.

Servant Leadership in Education

The conversation delves into Sahreen's deep understanding of servant leadership principles and their practical application in educational settings. She discusses how this leadership style influences her role as a school leader while balancing her responsibilities as a mother and community member.

Career Transitions and Global Education

Sahreen provides valuable guidance for international education professionals considering a return to their home countries, with specific focus on navigating opportunities within the UK's state sector schools. Her insights are particularly relevant for educators making cross-border career transitions.

Challenging Professional Myths

The episode addresses common misconceptions within the global education profession. Sahreen encourages listeners to question established assumptions and work toward bridging professional divisions to create more inclusive career pathways across international educational landscapes.

Target Audience

This episode will resonate with:

• Educational leaders and administrators
• International education professionals
• Women in leadership positions
• Educators considering career transitions
• Those interested in servant leadership principles

Key Takeaways

• Service as a foundational leadership value can drive meaningful change in educational settings
• Servant leadership offers a powerful framework for school leaders
• International experience can be successfully leveraged in domestic education systems
• Professional myths and divisions can be challenged to create broader opportunities
• Leadership extends beyond professional roles into family and community contexts

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Episode Description:

In this compelling guest episode, we witness leadership transition at its finest as Nicola Holloway and Lisa Thorpe share their story of the Primary Headship handover at Ascot International School, Bangkok.

This is a masterclass in what happens when two exceptional leaders prioritise community wellbeing over personal agenda. Nicola, the outgoing headteacher, and Lisa, her successor, demonstrate the rare art of guardianship, showing how authentic leadership extends far beyond individual tenure.

In this candid conversation, you'll discover:

• Preparation strategies that honour both legacy and future vision
• The delicate choreography of managing transition visits with openness and grace
• What truly attracts transformational leaders to new opportunities
• Practical approaches for creating seamless leadership handovers
• The mindset shift from ownership to stewardship in educational leadership

Both leaders share with refreshing honesty how they navigated the emotional and practical complexities of transition, creating natural flow rather than organisational disruption. Their collaborative approach reveals how great leader thinks beyond their own success to serve the greater good of their communities.

This episode is essential listening for current and aspiring educational leaders, board members involved in succession planning, and anyone who believes that leadership transitions can be opportunities for growth rather than periods of uncertainty.

Perfect for:

• School leaders planning transitions
• Boards managing succession
• Educational professionals studying collaborative leadership
• Anyone interested in authentic, community-focused leadership

Join us for this inspiring conversation that redefines what leadership transition can look like when integrity, openness, and guardianship guide the way

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This special wrap-up episode of the "She Leads Because She Can" podcast brings together the most valuable insights and advice from all 10 episodes of Season 1, creating a comprehensive guide for professional and personal growth.

Key Topics Covered

International Career Transitions

This episode explores strategies for taking the bold leap to work internationally, covering the practical and emotional aspects of making such a significant career move. This includes navigating the challenges and opportunities that come with working in a new cultural and professional environment.

Long-Term Career Decision Making

The hosts delve into how to approach career choices as part of a broader, longer-term professional journey rather than isolated decisions. This perspective helps listeners think strategically about their career trajectory and make choices that align with their values and ultimate goals.

Finding Professional Fulfilment

A central theme focuses on discovering and embracing fulfilment through the opportunities that naturally arise in one's career path. This includes learning to recognise potential in unexpected situations and making the most of serendipitous moments.

Reflection and Growth

The episode encourages listeners to engage actively with the content by:

• Taking notes during the listening experience
• Setting aside dedicated time for personal reflection
• Using the session as an opportunity to assess their professional and personal development over the academic year

Season 2 Preview

The hosts announce their return in September with Season 2, indicating continued commitment to supporting their audience's leadership journey. They will be providing opportunities for invited guests to add their experience and perspectives.

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This episode of "She Leads Because She Can" delves into the transformative power of co-leadership, exploring how two leaders can unite to create outcomes that exceed what either could achieve individually.

Key Themes

The Foundation of True Partnership

The episode examines how genuine co-leadership emerges when two leaders share a common intention and work together as equal partners. This goes beyond traditional hierarchical models to create a collaborative dynamic where both leaders contribute fully to the shared vision.

Synergy Through Complementary Strengths

The discussion highlights how co-leaders can leverage each other's unique strengths to generate synergy—where the combined impact is greater than the sum of individual contributions. This requires both leaders to lean in 100% while remaining sensitive to their partner's direction and approach.

The Leadership Dance

A central concept explored is the fluid nature of co-leadership roles, described as a "dance" where leadership and followership shift naturally between partners depending on the situation. This flexible dynamic allows for responsive leadership that adapts to circumstances while maintaining the partnership's integrity.

Practical Applications

The episode provides concrete examples of how co-leadership can be implemented within organisations, showing how this approach enables leaders to:

• Take calculated risks with greater confidence
• Set more ambitious goals
• Experience reduced stress through shared responsibility
• Maintain higher levels of engagement and awareness

The Mutual Support System

The discussion emphasises how co-leadership creates a supportive environment where leaders know "someone has our back." This security enables greater risk-taking and innovation, while the responsibility to provide the same support keeps leaders more alert and engaged in their partnership.

Key Takeaway

Co-leadership isn't just about sharing duties—it's about creating a relationship-based approach to leadership that amplifies both leaders' capabilities while fostering an environment of mutual support, shared accountability, and enhanced organisational outcomes.

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In this episode of She Leads Because She Can, we explore practical ways that male colleagues can actively contribute to creating more inclusive and equitable workplace environments for women, particularly in educational settings.

Strategies for Allies

• Show Up: Being present and engaged in conversations about gender equity
• Speak Up: Using their voice to amplify women's perspectives and challenge inequitable situations
• Ensure Voice Amplification: Taking concrete steps to make sure women's contributions are heard and recognized

Real-World Examples

We share personal anecdotes demonstrating effective male allyship, highlighting instances where male colleagues:

• Demonstrated willingness to learn about gender equity issues
• Stepped outside their comfort zones to support female colleagues
• Took action even when uncertain about the "perfect" approach
• Showed commitment to ongoing education and growth

The Learning Journey

The episode emphasises that effective allyship requires:

• Continuous Learning: Ongoing commitment to understanding gender equity challenges
• Comfort with Discomfort: Willingness to engage with difficult conversations and situations
• Action Over Perfection: Taking steps to help even when unsure of the ideal approach

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In this week's episode of She Leads Because She Can, join us for an intimate conversation about one the most challenging yet inevitable aspects of educational leadership: knowing when and how to leave. In this candid episode, we explore the complex decision-making process behind stepping away from a school community you've helped shape and lead.

What You'll Discover:

• The pivotal life moments and circumstances that signal it's time for a leadership transition
• How to recognize when organisational changes within your school indicate a need for fresh leadership
• The delicate art of timing your departure to maintain professional integrity while serving your community's best interests
• Strategic approaches to ensuring a seamless succession process, from robust recruitment to comprehensive leadership induction

We Share Real Insights On:

• Reading the signs that indicate your leadership chapter is coming to a natural close
• Preparing your school community, staff, and yourself for the emotional journey of leadership transition
• The critical importance of celebrating tenure and creating meaningful rituals of appreciation for departing staff
• How to leave a lasting positive legacy while gracefully passing on the stewardship

This episode offers both practical wisdom and emotional intelligence for educational leaders contemplating their next chapter, ensuring that when the time comes to move on, you do so with dignity, purpose, and the respect of those you've served.

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In this week's episode of She Leads Because She Can, we dive deep into the cornerstone of effective educational leadership: authentic self-awareness. Join us as we explore why understanding and embracing your true self is not just beneficial—it's essential for sustainable school leadership.

What You'll Discover

The Foundation of Authentic Leadership We examine why knowing your core values, unique strengths, and inherent worth creates an unshakeable foundation for navigating the complexities of educational leadership. When you're grounded in self-awareness, you can lead with confidence through constant change and development within your school context.

Overcoming Barriers to Authenticity Together, we unpack the common obstacles that can pull leaders away from their authentic selves—from external pressures and expectations to inner doubts. We share honest insights about the challenges we've faced and how we've learned to stay true to our principles even in difficult moments.

Proven Strategies from the Field Drawing from our combined years of leadership experience, we offer practical advice and time-tested strategies that have guided us through various career challenges. These aren't theoretical concepts—they're real-world approaches that have helped us maintain authenticity while driving meaningful change.

Take Action: Your Leadership North Star

The episode concludes with two powerful, actionable activities designed specifically for busy school leaders. These focused exercises will help you:

• Clarify your core values and leadership purpose
• Identify what truly motivates and energizes you as an educator
• Create your personal "north star" to guide decision-making and maintain momentum

Whether you're a new leader finding your footing or a seasoned school leader looking to reconnect with your authentic self, this episode provides the tools and inspiration to lead with greater confidence and impact.

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In this week's episode of She Leads Because She Can, we explore how we have endeavoured to create healthy professional relationships within the school environments where we have worked.

In an educational landscape where strong relationships are the foundation of successful schools, we discuss the power of open and honest conversations in building understanding and alignment at all levels within the school amongst the staff.

Join us to hear more about how professional conversations can build authentic connections and how these can ensure there is a healthy culture which drives school improvement.