The Independent School Podcast with Juliet Corbett

After a short break, The Independent School Podcast is returning later in 2025 – and this time, we're doing things a little differently.In this short bonus episode, Juliet Corbett shares a behind-the-scenes update on the next chapter for the podcast. Expect candid conversations with heads and senior leaders from independent and international schools around the world, exploring how they sharpen their focus, make tough decisions and lead strategically – without burning out.Whether you're a long-time listener or discovering the podcast for the first time, this is your invitation to explore the back catalogue of 175 episodes... and to join me as we open up a new, more honest conversation about leadership.Join Juliet's email list: www.consultjuliet.co.uk/signupThank you so much for listening to The Independent School Podcast. I would be grateful if you could spare a couple of minutes to send me some feedback here. This helps me make the podcast as helpful as possible to listeners. Thank you!

After four incredible years and 175 episodes, we're bidding farewell to The Independent School Podcast. It has been an amazing journey filled with valuable insights, thoughtful conversations, and connections with passionate leaders in the school sector. Juliet would like to thank everyone who has played a part in it: the listeners, the guests and the wonderful team behind the scenes.But as one chapter closes, a new one begins! Juliet is thrilled to introduce The Quiet Leadership Revolution Podcast, co-hosted by her great friend and brilliant strategist, Lucy Gower.The new podcast extends beyond the independent school sector, offering universal insights for all leaders. Juliet and Lucy will be focusing on managing your time and energy, productivity, creative and strategic thinking, mindset and building your career confidence. Expect candid conversations, practical insights and a touch of humour as they share their experiences and what they have learnt along the way.Episode notesPlaylists for The Independent School Podcast: http://www.consultjuliet.co.uk/TISPplaylistsQuiet Leadership Revolution podcast:Listen on Apple PodcastsListen on SpotifyListen on Amazon MusicListen on the podcast websiteJoin Juliet's email list: www.consultjuliet.co.uk/signupThank you so much for listening to The Independent School Podcast. I would be grateful if you could spare a couple of minutes to send me some feedback here. This helps me make the podcast as helpful as possible to listeners. Thank you!

Leaders in independent schools are having to make some hard decisions at the moment, especially those in the UK facing the possible addition of VAT to school fees.Some of these decisions could be classified as ‘wicked' - defined as a problem where multiple stakeholders want different, sometimes contradictory, outcomes.In the last episode Juliet explored how NASA approaches this type of problem, drawing out lessons for school leaders.In this episode Juliet explores further the three questions we finished with last time:What ‘wicked' problems are you trying to solve, and what contradictory outcomes do the stakeholder want that makes them wicked?What system do you have in place to brainstorm new ways of doing things, anticipate knock-on consequences and rapidly revise the plans?Are you and your team ready to embrace change that might feel hard?Episode linksListen to the last episode: 173: Solving wicked problems the NASA way 'Blue Ocean Strategy: How to Create Uncontested Market Space and Make the Competition Irrelevant' by  Renée Mauborgne and W. Chan Kim Contact Juliet: hello@consultjuliet.co.ukSign up at http://www.consultjuliet.co.uk/signup to receive an email each Thursday morning about the week's new podcast episode.Thank you so much for listening to The Independent School Podcast. I would be grateful if you could spare a couple of minutes to send me some feedback here. This helps me make the podcast as helpful as possible to listeners. Thank you!

It turns out that NASA rocket scientists think that solving ‘wicked' problems, where multiple stakeholders want contradictory outcomes, is far harder than the science of sending missions into space.So when we're trying to solve similarly ‘wicked' problems in our schools it's no surprise that leaders sometimes feel stuck between a rock and a hard place.In this week's episode, Juliet shares how NASA solves these problems and draws out lessons that other leaders can use to make life easier, even if most of us aren't planning space missions.Episode links'Inside NASA's bid to make spacecraft as small as possible', MIT Technology Review Nov/Dec editionContact Juliet: hello@consultjuliet.co.ukSign up at http://www.consultjuliet.co.uk/signup to receive an email each Thursday morning about the week's new podcast episode.Thank you so much for listening to The Independent School Podcast. I would be grateful if you could spare a couple of minutes to send me some feedback here. This helps me make the podcast as helpful as possible to listeners. Thank you!

Coaching, innovation, empowerment, strategy... this episode with guest Claire Robinson, Head of Holme Grange School, dives into many of the topics which school leaders ask me questions about. As a highly experienced head, Claire shares with us her extensive insights into:1. How to balance involving staff in strategy development, with the fact that sometimes strategic choices need to be confidential.2. How senior leaders can empower their teams and utilise the benefits of networking outside their schools to build resilience in times of change.3. Why strong professional development programmes, an openness to innovation and a coaching culture benefit everyone.4. Why the development of people and the development of strategy go hand in hand.Episode linksHolme Grange School Contact Juliet: hello@consultjuliet.co.ukSign up at www.consultjuliet.co.uk/signup to receive an email each Thursday morning about the week's new podcast episode.Thank you so much for listening to The Independent School Podcast. I would be grateful if you could spare a couple of minutes to send me some feedback here. This helps me make the podcast as helpful as possible to listeners. Thank you!

Strategy is not a game played alone. So if you are seeking a strategic way forward for a project or challenge, it is important to balance individual contemplation and conversation with 'thinking partners'.  In this episode I share my belief that everyone has the ability to think and act strategically, and that combining this with deeper self-knowledge can lead to remarkable results. I emphasise the significance of seeking out individuals who can help broaden our way of thinking, both in the professional realm and beyond.Key Lessons from the Episode:1. Carving out the time for individual strategic and creative thinking is critical. Often this means taking yourself away from distractions, like taking a walk or sitting on your own in a coffee shop without your phone. But different things work for different people.2. This solo thinking time can then be complimented by conversation with others; sharing perspectives and talking through ideas with other people can help us gain fresh insights and stimulate a growth mindset. You can think of these people as 'thinking partners'.3. It's often valuable to have more than one thinking partner, to give you multiple perspectives. These people could be mentors, peers, friends, colleagues or an executive coach.4. The role an executive coach plays is different from the advice that other thinking partners might give, especially if the coach has knowledge and experience of the independent school sector. The coach's role is to facilitate fresh insights for the leader which clarify a path forward, by helping the leader to see things from a perspective they might not have seen previously.“We need a diverse group of people with whom we can be truly honest and share confidential thoughts to develop an ever deeper knowledge of ourselves. In order to deliver remarkable results, we need to gift ourselves the space to breathe, the time to learn, and the courage to adapt.”  Juliet CorbettEpisode linksEpisode 162: Why Coaching Works: www.consultjuliet.co.uk/162Contact Juliet: hello@consultjuliet.co.ukSign up at www.consultjuliet.co.uk/signup to receive an email each Thursday morning about the week's new podcast episode.Thank you so much for listening to The Independent School Podcast. I would be grateful if you could spare a couple of minutes to send me some feedback here. This helps me make the podcast as helpful as possible to listeners. Thank you!

It's one thing knowing about strategy frameworks and approaches - but knowing how to use these effectively to develop and implement a strategy in a school is a completely different skill.So this week on The Independent School Podcast I'm delighted to be joined by Paul Morgan, from St. Julian's School in Lisbon, Portugal, a highly experienced head, who talks us through how he's approached strategy in his two headships.Questions Paul and I address in the episode include:How can a new head lead a strategic development process when they are still fresh in post? How can they balance continuity and change?How can a head structure the leadership team in a way that enables effective delegation of strategic priorities?How can you identify which new initiatives might distract from the core purpose of the school, and which will help deliver a key strategic objective?How can a busy school leader find time for high quality strategic thinking?Throughout the episode we stay rooted in the real world, as Paul shares examples from his current headship at St Julian's School in Lisbon, Portugal, and his previous role as Principal of The British School of Amsterdam.Episode linksSt Julian's School, LisbonContact Juliet: hello@consultjuliet.co.ukDiscover more about working with Juliet: www.consultjuliet.co.uk/servicesSign up at www.consultjuliet.co.uk/signup to receive an email each Thursday morning about the week's new podcast episodeThank you so much for listening to The Independent School Podcast. I would be grateful if you could spare a couple of minutes to send me some feedback here. This helps me make the podcast as helpful as possible to listeners. Thank you!

Exciting news for The Independent School Podcast!In our latest episode, I reveal the top five most popular episodes of 2023. With over 16,000 listens, I am thrilled to know that our podcast has been helping education leaders become more strategic and focused on their priorities. Episode notes:Top 5 episodes of 2023:136: Partnerships and Service with Alastair Chirnside, Warden, St Edward's Oxford 129: Your inbox is not your job 128: Regular giving with Kristina McClendon, Deputy Director of Development, Magdalen College School, Oxford 134: Four Building Blocks of Strategy 135: Five Elements of Strategic Thinking Top 5 episodes of all time:001: Bursary Fundraising Then and Now, with John Claughton 101: Creative Thinking and Change with Richard Jones, Head, Bryanston 136: Partnerships and Service with Alastair Chirnside, Warden, St Edward's Oxford 060: Social Mobility with David Goodhew, Head, Latymer Upper School 030: Looking Back on Strategy with John Claughton, former Chief Master of King Edwards' School, Birmingham Last week's episode: 168: The Big Picture and Being Human with Jim Knight, The Rt Hon Lord Knight of Weymouth, Chair of COBISContact Juliet: hello@consultjuliet.co.ukDiscover more about working with Juliet: www.consultjuliet.co.uk/servicesSign up at www.consultjuliet.co.uk/signup to receive an email each Thursday morning about the week's new podcast episodeThank you so much for listening to The Independent School Podcast. I would be grateful if you could spare a couple of minutes to send me some feedback here. This helps me make the podcast as helpful as possible to listeners. Thank you!

For this week's episode I'm joined by Jim Knight, The Rt Hon Lord Knight of Weymouth and Chair of the Council of British International Schools (COBIS).We dive deep into the big picture of education, looking at the changing ways that schools prepare young people for their future, the importance of addressing the climate emergency, the increasing role of AI in schools, as well as exploring ways that independent and state schools can learn from each other. About Jim KnightJim Knight works in education, digital technology and as a legislator.He is a director of Suklaa Ltd, providing advice to clients in education. Jim is the Chair of trust board of E-Act Multi Academy Trust, and chair of the Council of British International Schools. He is a board member of Century-Tech, MACAT International and Educate Ventures Research Ltd, he sits on advisory bodies for Nord Anglia Education, Pearson and BETT.As a government minister and MP, Jim's portfolios included rural affairs, schools, digital and employment.  He was a member of Gordon Brown's Cabinet, before joining the Lords in 2010.  He regularly speaks in the Lords on education and technology policy.Key takeaways from this episode:1. We are striving to create an education system that prepares young people to thrive in an unpredictable future, but this is constrained by its importance in the university admissions system. 2. Schools can play a significant role in helping communities to reduce their carbon footprint, as well as preparing young people to take climate action.3. The task of AI regulation is not simple, but we must act fast as the technology is changing quickly and young people are already taking advantage of the benefits it brings.Episode linksSuklaa LtdAshden: Sustainable SchoolsContact Juliet: hello@consultjuliet.co.ukDiscover more about working with Juliet: www.consultjuliet.co.uk/servicesSign up at www.consultjuliet.co.uk/signup to receive an email each Thursday morning about the week's new podcast episodeThank you so much for listening to The Independent School Podcast. I would be grateful if you could spare a couple of minutes to send me some feedback here. This helps me make the podcast as helpful as possible to listeners. Thank you!

Tune into this week's podcast for a comprehensive insight into school leadership recruitment trends and the crucial conversation around equality, diversity and inclusion.I am joined by Hayley Mintern, Partner at Anderson Quigley and in our thought-provoking conversation, we delve into the world of leadership recruitment in education. Hayley brings her expertise to the table, offering insights on employer branding and developing a pool of talent for future school vacancies. It's a fascinating discussion that underscores the shifting role of school leadership and uncovers the importance of diversifying the talent pipeline in the independent sector.Some Key Takeaways from this episode:1. Leveraging employer branding, including on LinkedIn, can help schools prepare for future vacancies.2. Leadership roles in schools are evolving to include strategic and commercial aspects.3. Diverse senior teams and multiple layers of expertise are crucial for effectively running a school.4. Schools can benefit from thinking more strategically about their reputation and business model, particularly within the independent sector.Episode links:Anderson QuigleyContact Juliet: hello@consultjuliet.co.ukDiscover more about working with Juliet: www.consultjuliet.co.uk/servicesSign up at www.consultjuliet.co.uk/signup to receive an email each Thursday morning about the week's new podcast episode.Thank you so much for listening to The Independent School Podcast. I would be grateful if you could spare a couple of minutes to send me some feedback here. This helps me make the podcast as helpful as possible to listeners. Thank you!

Do you have a clear idea of how much you can achieve in a week? It's very easy to be overly optimistic about what it is possible to get done. And then when you don't achieve your goals for the week, it's easy to slip into a habit of working extra hours to tick all those things off your to do list.This kind of overload is inevitable occasionally, but if you are consistently over-estimating what's possible it can lead to building feelings of overwhelm and then potentially burnout.Key Lessons from this episode:1) Overwhelm and overload can feel the same, but they are caused by different things and so the solutions are different.2) Being overly optimistic about how much can be accomplished in a given timeframe can lead to overload.3) Tracking time to understand how long tasks actually take can provide clarity on workload and prevent overload.4) Avoiding the pressure to constantly work harder and instead focusing on sustainable productivity is essential.Episode linksEpisode 165: ‘My Solution to Overwhelm' Cal Newport podcast episode: ‘Decoding Overload' Cal Newport podcast episode: ‘Start with Discipline' Discover what it's like to have Juliet as your coach: www.consultjuliet.co.uk/executive-coachingContact Juliet: hello@consultjuliet.co.ukSign up at www.consultjuliet.co.uk/signup to receive an email each Thursday morning about the week's new podcast episode.Thank you so much for listening to The Independent School Podcast. I would be grateful if you could spare a couple of minutes to send me some feedback here. This helps me make the podcast as helpful as possible to listeners. Thank you!

When overwhelm strikes me it feels like lots of bees buzzing around my head, each reminding me to do something, and a building sense of worry that I'm not going to get it all done.While many of us don't talk about it openly, it's normal to feel occasionally overwhelmed. But if you're having this feeling frequently then that's not a fun way to live. The key for me lies in doing one thing at a time. Research has shown that multitasking is not as effective as we often believe. So one way you could overcome overwhelm is to focus on tackling tasks sequentially, giving each one your undivided attention. Listen in for some more ideas to help you explore what works for you.Key lessons from this episode:1) Each person's experience of overwhelm and their solution to it will be unique.2) Not everyone may use the term "overwhelm", but it is a common feeling among leaders.3) I invite you to try out the three steps that work for me: 1: Get out of my head; 2: Prioritise; 3: Do one thing at a time. Episode linksEpisode 130: Take control of your Time Episode 129: Your Inbox is not your Job Caffeine for the Soul Podcast with Michael Neill: '101 Things to Do' Discover what it would be like to have Juliet as your coach: www.consultjuliet.co.uk/executive-coachingContact Juliet: hello@consultjuliet.co.ukSign up at www.consultjuliet.co.uk/signup to receive an email each Thursday morning about the week's new podcast episode.Thank you so much for listening to The Independent School Podcast. I would be grateful if you could spare a couple of minutes to send me some feedback here. This helps me make the podcast as helpful as possible to listeners. Thank you!

This is the second in my two-part series about Fundraising Campaigns, and in this episode it's all about breaking the rules! Having discussed the five essential phases of a campaign last week, this time I'm taking you a step further to explore how these phases can be adjusted. Warning! Some caution is needed in breaking these rules, so listen in to hear more.Key Lessons from the episode:1) The best practice structure for fundraising campaigns includes distinct phases: planning, feasibility, quiet, public and stewardship. 2) If you're going to innovate with this structure then you need to understand the strategic role played by each phase. 3) For example: The planning phase helps you clarify your fundraising priorities; the feasibly phase ensures that you listen to the views of prospective donors; and the quiet phase encourages you to focus first on those capable of giving leadership gifts. Episode linksEpisode 163: ‘Fundraising Campaigns: Structure Best-Practice'  IDPE Schools' Fundraising and Engagement Benchmarking Report 2022 Jim Langley's LinkedIn postContact Juliet: hello@consultjuliet.co.ukSign up at www.consultjuliet.co.uk/signup to receive an email each Thursday morning about the week's new podcast episode.Thank you so much for listening to The Independent School Podcast. I would be grateful if you could spare a couple of minutes to send me some feedback here. This helps me make the podcast as helpful as possible to listeners. Thank you!

This is the first in my two-part series about Fundraising Campaigns. In this episode, I speak about how to structure a campaign over multiple phases to maximise the opportunity for success. Whether you're new to school fundraising or looking for advanced strategies, this two-part series has got you covered. Next week, we will take a deeper dive into some more advanced topics, including when you can 'break the rules'.Some Key Takeaways:1. To maximise the opportunity for success in a campaign, experienced fundraisers use distinct phases: Planning, feasibility, quiet, public and stewardship phases.2. Cultivating relationships with major donors is crucial for successful fundraising campaigns. So the phases are structured to focus on major gift conversations first.3. Generating excitement in the whole community is a great way to finish off a campaign, but if you go public too early you risk the success of the campaign. 4. Sometimes you can 'break the rules' of the standard campaign phases, but only if you understand the underlying principles of the best practice approach first.Episode linksEpisode 024: ‘Master the flexible feasibility study' ‘Capital Campaigns: Strategies that Work' by Andrea Kihlstedt (2010) Contact Juliet: hello@consultjuliet.co.ukSign up at www.consultjuliet.co.uk/signup to receive an email each Thursday morning about the week's new podcast episode.Thank you so much for listening to The Independent School Podcast. I would be grateful if you could spare a couple of minutes to send me some feedback here. This helps me make the podcast as helpful as possible to listeners. Thank you!

Coaching has become increasingly recognised for its positive impact on educational leaders, helping them find strategic focus, empower their teams and regain control over their time. In this episode, host Juliet Corbett shares her personal experience of working with coaches and highlights the five reasons why coaching works.Key lessons from this episode:1. Coaching helps leaders step out of their own thoughts and gain new perspectives.2. Our thoughts don't always align with reality, and coaching can help unravel this.3. Using a coaching session to share lots of ideas and thoughts (aka a brain dump!) enables a coach to see patterns, structure questions  and generate insights.4. Coaching helps leaders develop a unique perspective and leadership style. Episode LinksDiscover more about having Juliet as your coach: www.consultjuliet.co.uk/executive-coaching Contact Juliet: hello@consultjuliet.co.ukSign up at www.consultjuliet.co.uk/signup to receive an email each Thursday morning about the week's new podcast episode.Thank you so much for listening to The Independent School Podcast. I would be grateful if you could spare a couple of minutes to send me some feedback here. This helps me make the podcast as helpful as possible to listeners. Thank you!

In this episode, my focus is on you! I'm keen to show you that unlocking your next career step is a process that requires dedication, self-reflection and strategic planning. A few areas I touch on are networking, career plans and the importance of flexibility.Remember, your career journey is unique to you. It's okay to have a general direction instead of a rigid plan. Take a listen to this episode and allow yourself to explore, grow and adapt. With these insights and your determination, you'll unlock the next stage of your career and achieve your goals. "In order to unlock your next career step, it's important to ask yourself what you truly want out of your life and work. Don't just follow expectations, but road test your dreams and explore different possibilities. Visualise your ideal role and consider the skills and experience that recruiters would be looking for. Craft a results-based roadmap that aligns with your career goals and set yourself up for success." - Juliet CorbettEpisode linksFind out more about working with Juliet: www.consultjuliet.co.ukContact Juliet: hello@consultjuliet.co.ukSign up at www.consultjuliet.co.uk/signup to receive an email each Thursday morning about the week's new podcast episode.Thank you so much for listening to The Independent School Podcast. I would be grateful if you could spare a couple of minutes to send me some feedback here. This helps me make the podcast as helpful as possible to listeners. Thank you!

In this episode, I talk about the shift from being solely goal-oriented to embracing problem-based strategy, inspired by the insights shared by strategy guru Richard Rumelt. Rather than solely focusing on goals and visions, it is essential to diagnose and address the sticking points or challenges that are holding you back. By identifying the key problems, you can develop effective solutions that align with your overall vision.Don't fall into the trap of relying solely on positive thinking or vague aspirations. Instead, emphasise action and focus on actionable steps to solve the identified problems. By shifting the conversation from goals to problem-solving, you empower your team to take meaningful action towards achieving your shared vision.Remember, true strategy lies not just in setting goals, but in addressing the problems that hinder your progress.Key Lessons from the Episode:1. Strategy doesn't have to be complicated and full of jargon.2. Vision and goals are important, but we shouldn't focus on them too much.3. Precision and detailed visioning may not always be necessary.4. Focusing solely on goals and aspirations without taking action is not enough.5. Positive thinking alone won't guarantee goal achievement.6. Action and problem-solving are crucial for strategy execution.Episode linksFind out more about working with Juliet: www.consultjuliet.co.ukContact Juliet: hello@consultjuliet.co.ukSign up at www.consultjuliet.co.uk/signup to receive an email each Thursday morning about the week's new podcast episode.Thank you so much for listening to The Independent School Podcast. I would be grateful if you could spare a couple of minutes to send me some feedback here. This helps me make the podcast as helpful as possible to listeners. Thank you!

In today's episode, we're diving into the topic of delegation once again. But this time, we'll be exploring a trap that many leaders, including myself, have fallen into - the 'Done For You' Delegation Trap. I discuss the idea of three service levels, a concept well established in the wider service sector, how this relates to delegation and how it can help you identify and avoid this common trap.Key lessons from this episode:1. In the wider service sector there is a well-established concept of three service levels: 'do it yourself', 'done with you' and 'done for you'.2. These three ideas also map onto delegation. But if you go down the route of 'done for you' then you end up caught in a trap that's hard to pull you and your team out of. 3. To avoid this trap, always consider how you are coaching those you lead to take on more responsibility over time, eventually enabling them to work at the 'do it yourself' level.4.  This not only enables the leader to focus on their own strategic priorities, but also enables the team to deliver results faster and allows team members to grow in their roles.  Episode linksEpisode 155: Are You Delegating Enough?Report: Rethinking Strategy in Independent SchoolsThe Strategic Independent School Leader EbookPreparing for an economic downturn: A checklist for private schools Thank you so much for listening to The Independent School Podcast. I would be grateful if you could spare a couple of minutes to send me some feedback here. This helps me make the podcast as helpful as possible to listeners. Thank you!

In this episode, I delve into the strategic importance of encouraging governors, trustees, and senior leaders in our schools to contribute themselves to fundraising projects.With insights from the IDPE Benchmarking report offering valuable guidance to navigate this compelling topic, I uncover the importance of leadership giving, the role of governors and senior leaders in setting an example and practical ideas for fundraisers to encourage their support. Tune in and discover how to empower and engage key stakeholders in supporting your school's fundraising endeavours.Key lessons from this episode:1. It is not about the size of the gift, but rather the participation rate of governors and senior leaders in giving to fundraising projects.2. The focus should be on demonstrating commitment to and belief in the project, rather than the amount given.3. It is important to create a culture of giving within the school, starting with governors and senior leaders leading by example.4. Highlighting the participation of governors and senior leaders in fundraising projects can motivate other donors to follow suit."And don't forget that if you want to be thinking strategically, all of us need to create the space to breathe, the time to learn, and the courage to adapt." — Juliet CorbettEpisode linksIDPE and Gifted Philanthropy's Schools' Fundraising and Engagement Benchmarking Report 2022 Gifted Philanthropy: www.giftedphilanthropy.comDiscover Juliet's Fundraising Focus Programme Episode 116: Three Strategic Fundraising Choices: www.consultjuliet.co.uk/116Thank you so much for listening to The Independent School Podcast. I would be grateful if you could spare a couple of minutes to send me some feedback here. This helps me make the podcast as helpful as possible to listeners. Thank you!

In this episode, I delve into the concept of strategy as a coherent collection of decisions. I explore the definition of strategy and its relevance in the context of schools.While many view strategy as being solely focused on occasional big decisions made by leadership, I discuss how everyday decisions made by all members of the school community are equally strategic and contribute to the realisation of the school's vision.There's also emphasis on the importance of the coherence of these decisions and how they align with the overall strategy.Key Lessons from the EpisodeStrategy is not just about occasional big decisions; everyday decisions made by staff contribute to the realisation of the school's vision.Maintaining a focus on the long-term direction of the school is crucial for strategy implementation.A strategic plan is valuable as a communication tool, but it's the actual decisions and actions on the ground that truly matter.Coherence ensures that all decisions align with the overall strategy and work towards the same goals.Episode linksFind out more about working with Juliet: www.consultjuliet.co.ukContact Juliet: hello@consultjuliet.co.ukSign up at www.consultjuliet.co.uk/signup to receive an email each Thursday morning about the week's new podcast episode.Thank you so much for listening to The Independent School Podcast. I would be grateful if you could spare a couple of minutes to send me some feedback here. This helps me make the podcast as helpful as possible to listeners. Thank you!

In this episode, we're tackling a topic that resonates with many of us: liberating our time. Time management is a constant challenge for school leaders, who often struggle to focus on what truly matters amidst a sea of urgent tasks and responsibilities.In previous episodes, I've explored ways to reduce the impact of activities like email and the importance of delegation.Today, I take a step further and examine a time sink that extends beyond the workplace: our media consumption. From social media to streaming services, these media companies are vying for our attention and profiting from it.But what does this mean for our productivity and wellbeing? Join me as I discuss the attention economy, the addictive nature of media, and the impact on our cognitive abilities and mental state.Key Lessons from the Episode:It's easy to default to long periods of time consuming media because the platforms are build to profit from our attention.Setting boundaries around media consumption promotes a healthier work-life balance.Mindful media consumption allows for intentional learning and skill development.Being proactive in managing media consumption leads to increased productivity and focus.Episode links'The Social Dilemma', 2020 documentary‘Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World' by Cal Newport, 2016Episode 129: Your inbox is not your jobEpisode 155: Are you delegating enough?Find out more about working with Juliet: www.consultjuliet.co.ukContact Juliet: hello@consultjuliet.co.ukSign up at www.consultjuliet.co.uk/signup to receive an email each Thursday morning about the week's new podcast episode.Thank you so much for listening to The Independent School Podcast. I would be grateful if you could spare a couple of minutes to send me some feedback here. This helps me make the podcast as helpful as possible to listeners. Thank you!

In this episode I dive into the important topic of delegation in schools. As a coach for educational leaders, I've witnessed the power of effective delegation in empowering teams and delivering strategic goals. Delegation not only distributes the workload, but also allows leaders to focus on tasks that align with their strengths and to maximise their positive impact.However, many school leaders struggle to delegate effectively. In this episode, I set out how to determine if you are delegating enough and discuss the mindset barriers that often hinder delegation.Join me as I uncover strategies to overcome these challenges and unlock the full potential of strategic leadership. Key Lessons from the Episode:Delegation allows leaders to empower their team members and involve everyone in the strategic process.Before diving into delegation tactics, it's important to overcome mindset barriers that hinder delegation.Leaders can check whether they are delegating to the right level by considering feedback from others.Honest conversations with colleagues and trusted individuals can provide valuable insights on your own delegation style.“Overcoming the mindset of 'it's easier to do it myself' is crucial in order to empower those around you to deliver more." Juliet CorbettEpisode linksFind out more about working with Juliet: www.consultjuliet.co.ukContact Juliet: hello@consultjuliet.co.ukSign up at www.consultjuliet.co.uk/signup to receive an email each Thursday morning about the week's new podcast episode.Thank you so much for listening to The Independent School Podcast. I would be grateful if you could spare a couple of minutes to send me some feedback here. This helps me make the podcast as helpful as possible to listeners. Thank you!

In today's episode, "Building Fundraising Confidence," I'm diving into the world of fundraising and exploring how it can help schools achieve their goals to make a positive impact on their communities. Fundraising is not just about asking people for money, but rather offering an opportunity to contribute to something meaningful and make a difference. I'll be discussing four mindsets that might be holding you back from feeling confident in your fundraising efforts and how to shift them.Key Lessons from the episodeBuilding fundraising confidence is important for school leaders.Fundraising is not simply asking people for money; it's offering them an opportunity to make a difference.Finding your personal connection to the project makes fundraising easier.Understanding the impact of philanthropic donations is key to building fundraising confidence.Fundraising success is achievable by embracing a growth mindset and continuous learning."Nobody is a natural fundraiser. It's something we learn and develop through practice and finding our personal connection to the project." Juliet CorbettEpisode linksDiscover Juliet's Fundraising Focus ProgrammeFind out more about working with Juliet: www.consultjuliet.co.ukContact Juliet: hello@consultjuliet.co.ukSign up at www.consultjuliet.co.uk/signup to receive an email each Thursday morning about the week's new podcast episode.Thank you so much for listening to The Independent School Podcast. I would be grateful if you could spare a couple of minutes to send me some feedback here. This helps me make the podcast as helpful as possible to listeners. Thank you!

In this episode I present an exploratory framework to help you discuss AI and take action in your school. No-one can give you all the answers at the moment, so I offer questions you can ask within your school community to guide a strategic approach to AI. This episode will help you embrace this new technology and its impact.Key lessons from this episodePupils in schools will grow up "AI native". The rest of us will need to actively keep up with advancements.Opinions on the impact of AI in education are varied, but even amid this uncertainty we need to take action.Developing the necessary skill-set within leaders and staff will allow your school to address AI's challenges and opportunities.It's critical that we guide students in understanding the ethical use of AI and emerging technologies.AI technology will improve rapidly - I predict that in five years' time the AI we have today will look incredibly simplistic.QuotablesHarnessing the Power of AI in Education:"Teachers will be harnessing the power of AI, but filtering it through their uniquely human understanding of educational pedagogy. And this is based on instinct. It's based on emotional intelligence. It's based on things which AI will not be able to replicate, at least not within my lifetime."— Juliet CorbettAI's Impact on the Operational Efficiency of Schools:"Every organisation on the planet will need to adapt its processes in order to harness the efficiencies which AI offers."— Juliet CorbettThe Future of Education: "It's going to impact the already growing distance learning models that we've seen emerging and accelerating during the pandemic."— Juliet CorbettEpisode notesEpisode 132: ChatGPT for Schools: www.consultjuliet.co.uk/132Episode 133: ChatGPT Masterclass: www.consultjuliet.co.uk/133Episode 142: Using data to make your life easier with Adriana Williams, Director of Development, Marymount International School: www.consultjuliet.co.uk/142Find out more about working with Juliet: www.consultjuliet.co.ukContact Juliet: hello@consultjuliet.co.ukSign up at www.consultjuliet.co.uk/signup to receive an email each Thursday morning about the week's new podcast episode.Thank you so much for listening to The Independent School Podcast. I would be grateful if you could spare a couple of minutes to send me some feedback here. This helps me make the podcast as helpful as possible to listeners. Thank you!

In this episode, I share with you my new mission. We know from academic evidence that organisations with a clear strategy outperform organisations without a strategy.I extend this to explore the connection between organisational strategy and leader wellbeing. This supports my mission to promote agile strategies within schools. Or, to translate this into a phrase I prefer, to consider strategy as a learning process.Listen for further discussion of focus and simplicity with regards to your school strategy.Episode linksEpisode 143: Strategy as Learning: www.consultjuliet.co.uk/143Episode 135: Five Elements of Strategic Thinking: www.consultjuliet.co.uk/135Episode 151: Simplicity in Strategy (Rest and Reset series #3): www.consultjuliet.co.uk/151Find out more about working with Juliet: www.consultjuliet.co.ukContact Juliet: hello@consultjuliet.co.ukSign up at www.consultjuliet.co.uk/signup to receive an email each Thursday morning about the week's new podcast episode.Thank you so much for listening to The Independent School Podcast. I would be grateful if you could spare a couple of minutes to send me some feedback here. This helps me make the podcast as helpful as possible to listeners. Thank you!

In this week's podcast episode, ‘Simplicity in Strategy', I explain why a simple strategy is often better than a complex one and how this connects to the idea of strategy as a learning process, or agile strategy as it's often called.I encourage you to swim against the tide of complexity, embrace simplicity and agility in your strategy!Episode linksEpisode 149: The Importance of Rest (Rest and Reset series #1): www.consultjuliet.co.uk/149Episode 150: Intuition and Strategy (Rest and Reset series #2): www.consultjuliet.co.uk/150Episode 143: Strategy as Learning: www.consultjuliet.co.uk/143Episode 134: Four Building Blocks of Strategy: www.consultjuliet.co.uk/134Find out more about working with Juliet: www.consultjuliet.co.ukContact Juliet: hello@consultjuliet.co.ukSign up at www.consultjuliet.co.uk/signup to receive an email each Thursday morning about the week's new podcast episode.Thank you so much for listening to The Independent School Podcast. I would be grateful if you could spare a couple of minutes to send me some feedback here. This helps me make the podcast as helpful as possible to listeners. Thank you!

This second episode in my Rest and Reset series draws your attention to Intuition and Strategy.Intellect and analysis are important for strategic thinking but don't dismiss how significant your intuition can be in making the right decisions.Listen to my latest podcast episode in which I pose reflective questions and discuss the soft skills of emotional intelligence, empathy and intuition.Episode notesEpisode 149: The Importance of Rest (Rest and Reset series #1): www.consultjuliet.co.uk/149Episode 054: Wise strategy: Using Intuition: www.consultjuliet.co.uk/054Episode 134: Four Building Blocks of Strategy: www.consultjuliet.co.uk/134Find out more about working with Juliet: www.consultjuliet.co.ukContact Juliet: hello@consultjuliet.co.ukSign up at www.consultjuliet.co.uk/signup to receive an email each Thursday morning about the week's new podcast episode.Thank you so much for listening to The Independent School Podcast. I would be grateful if you could spare a couple of minutes to send me some feedback here. This helps me make the podcast as helpful as possible to listeners. Thank you!

This episode is an important one for you. It's all about rest and recuperation and how we can reset our approach to work to make our future strategies efficient and enjoyable. You'll hear my personal story, as well as scientific research, to convince you how important rest is for you too.There's a great deal of scientific evidence about the importance of rest, especially in connection with strategic, creative thinking.Take a listen to hear more.Episode links:'Rest: Why You Get More Done When You Work Less' by Alex Soojong-Kim PangTalks at Google with Alex Soojong-Kim Pang'The Ezra Klein Show: Sabbath and the Art of Rest'Find out more about working with Juliet: www.consultjuliet.co.ukContact Juliet: hello@consultjuliet.co.ukSign up at www.consultjuliet.co.uk/signup to receive an email each Thursday morning about the week's new podcast episode.Thank you so much for listening to The Independent School Podcast. I would be grateful if you could spare a couple of minutes to send me some feedback here. This helps me make the podcast as helpful as possible to listeners. Thank you!

In this episode, I present my simple framework which helps school staff members to understand their role in strategy implementation: Strategic Thinking in Three Dimensions.The first dimension, 'looking up', involves aligning the problem or decision a staff member has to make upwards to meet the school's strategy. This encourages individuals to consider how their actions connect to the overall strategy.The second dimension, 'looking around', involves encouraging individuals to think about collaboration and how they can connect what they are doing to other activities across the organisation.The third dimension, 'looking ahead', helps staff members consider the future impact of decisions they are making, and how they might build in flexibility to deal with change.By combining these three dimensions, staff can ensure their actions and decisions deliver the broader strategic direction of your school.References and Resources:To see the image of the Strategic Thinking in Three Dimensions framework visit www.consultjuliet.co.uk/148Find out more about working with Juliet: www.consultjuliet.co.ukContact Juliet: hello@consultjuliet.co.ukThank you so much for listening to The Independent School Podcast. I would be grateful if you could spare a couple of minutes to send me some feedback here. This helps me make the podcast as helpful as possible to listeners. Thank you!

SWOT is a critical strategy analysis tool. It encourages high-quality strategic thinking which results in decisions being made and action taken.But SWOT is often misunderstood. Having sailed through the internal Strengths and Weaknesses, people often continue to consider the Opportunities and Threats through an internal lens. However, it's critical that you consider these from an external point of view: looking for external trends that act as opportunities and threats.Take a listen to this essential replay episode for my top tips. They'll guide you in completing your SWOT analysis with specificity.Let me help you structure your strategic thinking and inform your decision making. Get ahead of the game. It'll be worth it!References and Resources:Episode 048: Scanning your environment (www.consultjuliet.co.uk/048)Find out more about working with Juliet: www.consultjuliet.co.ukContact Juliet: hello@consultjuliet.co.ukThank you so much for listening to The Independent School Podcast. I would be grateful if you could spare a couple of minutes to send me some feedback here. This helps me make the podcast as helpful as possible to listeners. Thank you!

Use this week's episode to check how robust your school's strategy is.Listen and use my guidance to seek the 5 signs that your strategy is ready to roll.Your strategy takes a long-term viewYour strategy makes tough choices about how to focus scarce resourcesYour strategy addresses the main challenges you faceYour strategy is disputableYour strategy involves thorough development but a clear action-focused outcomeStrategy is a collection of coherent decisions which determine and deliver the long-term direction and goals of an organisation. Aligning your strategic thinking with the 5 indicators discussed in this episode will ensure robustness and readiness for all scenarios.References and Resources:Episode 092: What timeframe should our strategy cover? (www.consultjuliet.co.uk/092)Episode 132: ChatGPT for Schools (www.consultjuliet.co.uk/132)Episode 133: ChatGPT Masterclass (www.consultjuliet.co.uk/133)Find out more about working with Juliet: www.consultjuliet.co.ukContact Juliet: hello@consultjuliet.co.ukThank you so much for listening to The Independent School Podcast. I would be grateful if you could spare a couple of minutes to send me some feedback here. This helps me make the podcast as helpful as possible to listeners. Thank you!

Here on The Independent School Podcast we're passionate about the positive impact of education. In this episode I speak with Clementine Brown and Eliana Sleiman from CodeBrave about partnerships between schools in the UK and Lebanon.Over the last three years, the percentage of the Lebanese population living under the poverty line has risen from 28% to 82%, and they are now experiencing 50% youth unemployment. CodeBrave is a not-for-profit organisation that seeks to power Lebanon's next generation with tech skills, helping young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to lift themselves out of poverty.CodeBrave does this through providing classes and boot camps in coding, robotics, AI and web development, both in-person and online. They are leading thinking on integrating STEM education with trauma psychology and their approach to the teaching of essential soft skills alongside digital coding skills is inspiring.Take a listen and hear how CodeBrave's partnerships with UK independent schools are successfully combining Global Citizenship Education and making a positive impact. References and Resources:Connect with Clementine and Eliana on LinkedIn:Clementine Brown: www.linkedin.com/in/clementine-brownEliana Sleiman: www.linkedin.com/in/elianasleimanWebsites:CodeBrave LebanonCodeBrave TutorsFind out more about working with Juliet: www.consultjuliet.co.ukContact Juliet: hello@consultjuliet.co.ukThank you so much for listening to The Independent School Podcast. I would be grateful if you could spare a couple of minutes to send me some feedback here. This helps me make the podcast as helpful as possible to listeners. Thank you!

This week's episode is all about maximising the benefits of your strategic plan. I'll help you understand the limitations of a rigid plan, the role of a flexible strategic plan in schools and how to use your strategic plan to propel your school forward.Episode LinksWant to explore working with Juliet in a strategy session? Contact us at hello@consultjuliet.co.uk to set up a time to talk with Juliet.Thank you so much for listening to The Independent School Podcast. I would be grateful if you could spare a couple of minutes to send me some feedback here. This helps me make the podcast as helpful as possible to listeners. Thank you!

Agile strategic thinking is so important right now. Therefore, we are returning to focus our attention on strategy as a learning, rather than a planning, process.Let us establish a learning lens through which we can identify problems, create hypotheses, pilot projects, reflect and ultimately create a full cycle of successful strategic development.This episode reminds us how successful independent school strategy can be with a learning mindset. The third in my four part mini-series on Rethinking Strategy from 2022, I invite you to have another listen!Episode notesEpisode 105: How planned is your strategy? (Rethinking strategy - Part 1) Episode 106: Disruptive edge, stable core (Rethinking strategy - part 2)Episode 108: Culture eats strategy for breakfast (Rethinking strategy - part 4)Download my “Rethinking strategy in independent schools” Research ReportWork with Juliet Corbett www.consultjuliet.co.uk/servicesThank you so much for listening to The Independent School Podcast. I would be grateful if you could spare a couple of minutes to send me some feedback here. This helps me make the podcast as helpful as possible to listeners. Thank you!

In this episode I'm joined by Adriana Williams, Director of Development at Marymount International School London. We focus our discussion on data and why it is so important within a school Development Office context.Listen in to hear how to utilise your database to its best capability, improve and record processes and how to showcase key data to your community.Adriana Williams loves to ensure data sparks joy for developmental professionals and you'll find her points in this episode do just that!Episode linksMarymount International School London Episode 063: Mastering Key Performance Indicators Episode 124: Resilient systems, processes and succession planning Episode 137: What is your Fundraising Data Not Telling You?  Thank you so much for listening to The Independent School Podcast. I would be grateful if you could spare a couple of minutes to send me some feedback here. This helps me make the podcast as helpful as possible to listeners. Thank you!

This episode explores anticipating scenarios and navigating inevitable change in our schools. ‘Managing uncertainty' is part of the lexicon now in leadership, so having a prepared approach for dealing with potential scenarios is a great way to strategise.Scenarios won't predict the future, but they will help us to explore future possibilities.Listen to this episode to hear my shared team approach for developing scenarios and testing your strategic choices:What range of viable options might you have in that future scenario? What could you do now to prepare?How will you know if that scenario is unfolding?Episode links‘Scenario Thinking: Preparing Your Organization for the Future in an Unpredictable World' by George Cairns and George Wright (2nd edition, 2017) Working with Juliet: Contact us to set up a chat with Juliet about your next Strategy Day hello@consultjuliet.co.ukThank you so much for listening to The Independent School Podcast. I would be grateful if you could spare a couple of minutes to send me some feedback here. This helps me make the podcast as helpful as possible to listeners. Thank you!

This episode is one for you and your own professional development. My guest Phillip Rothwell, Director of Development, Warwick Independent Schools Foundation encourages you to advocate for your own career development.Listen for some great personal anecdotes and reasons why investing in your own professional growth is so important.Searching out opportunities, working out ways to fund personal professional development and knowing how to gain recognition for your contribution to the industry are all suggested approaches worth hearing about.Episode LinksCertified Fund Raising ExecutiveWarwick Independent Schools FoundationThank you so much for listening to The Independent School Podcast. I would be grateful if you could spare a couple of minutes to send me some feedback here. This helps me make the podcast as helpful as possible to listeners. Thank you!

In this episode, the topic is Legacy Fundraising and how to establish a programme that enables you to ask others to leave a gift for your school in their Will.We often feel awkward talking about death. Listen to hear how we might burst the myth that it's always a difficult conversation to have with potential donors. Legacy fundraising is based around building trust with those donors and communicating the positive impact that their legacy contribution could have. Have you considered setting up a Legacy Society? Simple, but effective, this can be a tremendous way of connecting your alumni and donors. Building a sense of belonging for members under a stewardship model and anticipating the long term benefits of a legacy gift is a good way to go for schools, in my experience.But a Legacy Society on its own isn't enough to grow your legacy programme - listen in for the other key elements you need to put in place.References and Resources:Episode 099: Strategic Stewardship with Laura Firth, Director of Development and Alumni Relations, Bolton SchoolThank you so much for listening to The Independent School Podcast. I would be grateful if you could spare a couple of minutes to send me some feedback here. This helps me make the podcast as helpful as possible to listeners. Thank you!

In this episode David Woodgate, an industry expert and CEO of ISBA (Independent Schools' Bursars Association), joins me to give unique perspectives on how the independent school sector is faring. External factors such as inflation, VAT threats, staff recruitment, AI and climate change are among the trends that school leaders are focusing on at the moment.  David offers advice on becoming more effective at responding to these external trends, including early identification of trends and the importance of taking action. Adopting an agile strategy is essential now we are mid-way through 2023 and looking forward to what could be an uncertain couple of years. Thanks for listening. Episode linksIndependent Schools' Bursars Association (ISBA): http://www.theisba.org.ukThank you so much for listening to The Independent School Podcast. I would be grateful if you could spare a couple of minutes to send me some feedback here. This helps me make the podcast as helpful as possible to listeners. Thank you!

This episode demystifies the topic of fundraising data. Collecting, analysing and making decisions based on data is a critical component of strategic thinking. I delve into how important it is to really understand what your data is not telling you, as well as what it is.Let me help you see what data you need to be collecting and the mindset you need in order to analyse it with strategic verve.In this episode you'll hear of the necessary tracking of input and output data in relation to your donations. Looking to measure the effectiveness of each fundraising activity will be of great help once you have an accurate picture of a number of components. I'll explain in depth the following:The input going into each activity:budgetstaff timevolunteer/prospect/donor goodwillThe output from each activity:knowledge objective: awareness of fundraising projectbelief objective: buy-in for transformation the project will deliverbehaviour objective: donationsListen in for the breakdown and further advice on the reflection stage in the process.Don't be overwhelmed by the data element of all this! It's a mindset too.References and ResourcesEpisode 116: Three Strategic Fundraising Choices Episode 027: Boost your Major Gifts with ‘Moves Management' Episode 131: Efficiency Tools for Schools Episode 130: Take Control of Your Time Thank you so much for listening to The Independent School Podcast. I would be grateful if you could spare a couple of minutes to send me some feedback here. This helps me make the podcast as helpful as possible to listeners. Thank you!

Finding ways to connect your school with its local community continues to be a top priority for many schools in 2023. It's a topic we've discussed before on this podcast and in this episode my guest speaker Alastair Chirnside, Warden at St Edward's School in Oxford, talks about how successful service and partnership arrangements can be when they are interwoven into the life of the school.Alastair tells us about Beyond Teddies, which is the school's umbrella project for all its partnerships work, community service and fundraising. He explains the value of creating connections and communities, to both build a strong culture of service to others and to enhance the intellectual life of a school. Episode links:St Edward's School, Oxford: www.stedwardsoxford.orgThank you so much for listening to The Independent School Podcast. I would be grateful if you could spare a couple of minutes to send me some feedback here. This helps me make the podcast as helpful as possible to listeners. Thank you!

This episode offers you structure to the idea of strategic thinking and builds on my previous episode about the Four Building Blocks of Strategy. You'll hear me expand on the main elements of strategic thinking, which are:Creative thinkingSystems thinkingDirectional thinkingDivergent thinking andConvergent thinkingIf you can carve out the time to think in these ways, you'll be doing better than most other leaders! Having time to think is a secret weapon at your fingertips. Harness it with the help of this episode and you'll notice the difference.References and Resources:Episode 134: Four Building Blocks of Strategy Episode 130: Take control of your time Episode 098: How can our meetings be more strategic? Thank you so much for listening to The Independent School Podcast. I would be grateful if you could spare a couple of minutes to send me some feedback here. This helps me make the podcast as helpful as possible to listeners. Thank you!

This episode presents to you the Four Building Blocks of Strategy. Keen to ignore the jargon, avoid complications and use a simple, structured mindset? Then this episode is worth a listen. You'll hear how to strip strategy back to its four core components:VisionSticking points and acceleratorsDefining your general approachAction planStrategy really can be surprisingly simple and this episode covers how to make it work for you. Strategic thinking can be for everyone. If you're developing a strategy, use these steps to guide you. If you're looking to test the robustness of your strategy, ask yourself questions about each of these building blocks to gauge whether they have all been considered.There are many past episodes covering this topic. Take a listen.References and Resources:Vision029: What's your vision?055: Vision: Why it matters which mountain you climb085: Should our vision be ambitious or realistic?Accelerators and sticking points031: What's working in your favour?033: What's holding you back?048: Scanning your environment052: Mastering the SWOT analysisAction plan063: Mastering Key Performance IndicatorsThank you so much for listening to The Independent School Podcast. I would be grateful if you could spare a couple of minutes to send me some feedback here. This helps me make the podcast as helpful as possible to listeners. Thank you!

In order to make ChatGPT work effectively for us, we need to become skilled at 'prompt engineering'. In this episode I walk you through some best-practice tips to improve your prompt engineering, enabling you to get the most from OpenAI's large language model, ChatGPT.We cover tactics such as chained prompting, setting the tone of voice, exploring the 'temperature' of responses, specifying the format of the output and documenting your learning. I cover as much as I can in this episode, so do take a listen.There are many more resources and links in the list below. Not feeling comfortable with ChatGPT yet? Take a listen to last week's episode, ChatGPT for Schools, to get started. Episode links:Do complete my AI in Schools survey and help direct future episodes on this subject.Catch-up on last week's episode: ChatGPT for SchoolsChatGPT & AI in EducationISTE: Artificial Intelligence in EducationArtificial Intelligence in EducationThe International School Podcast: ‘Greg, Warren and Wolfgang with Dan and John look at #ChatGPT3 in Education' 13 January 2023The Ezra Klein Show: Best of: Who Wins - and Who Loses - in the .I. Revolution? (December 2022)The Ezra Klein Show: A Skeptical Take on the A.I. Revolution (January 2023)The Ezra Klein Show: Freaked Out? We really can prepare for AI (March 2023)Thank you so much for listening to The Independent School Podcast. I would be grateful if you could spare a couple of minutes to send me some feedback here. This helps me make the podcast as helpful as possible to listeners. Thank you!

Could ChatGPT be our partner in creativity as well as an enhancer of our productivity? One of the things we'll remember 2023 for is the explosion of interest in Artificial Intelligence (AI), and generative AI tools such as ChatGPT in particular.This episode draws your attention to the pros and cons of generative AI, some of the ethical questions that arise and the limitations of the technology as it currently stands.My initial focus here is on ChatGPT use with non-teaching roles, giving us a chance to evaluate current AI with some structure.If you're looking for an introduction, overview of trends as they're developing, opportunities for enhancing your productivity and creativity, then stay tuned and listen to my next few episodes addressing the impacts AI and the Large Language Model ChatGPT could have within schools.Episode links:Do complete my AI in Schools survey and help direct future episodes on this subjectChatGPT & AI in Education ISTE: Artificial Intelligence in Education Artificial Intelligence in Education The International School Podcast: ‘Greg, Warren and Wolfgang with Dan and John look at #ChatGPT3 in Education' 13 January 2023 The Ezra Klein Show: Best of: Who Wins - and Who Loses - in the .I. Revolution? (December 2022)The Ezra Klein Show: A Skeptical Take on the A.I. Revolution (January 2023)The Ezra Klein Show: Freaked Out? We really can prepare for AI (March 2023)Thank you so much for listening to The Independent School Podcast. I would be grateful if you could spare a couple of minutes to send me some feedback here. This helps me make the podcast as helpful as possible to listeners. Thank you!

This is the third and final Part in my Personal Effectiveness mini-series and this episode is full of suggestions for efficiency tools you might want to try. I also suggest five work categories where online tools can really build efficiency and effectiveness.Listen to hear this update of a popular episode from two years ago. If you missed Part 1: Your Inbox is not your Job and Part 2: Take Control of your Time, you'll find the links below along with other useful episodes on similar topics.References and ResourcesEpisode 129: Your inbox is not your job: www.consultjuliet.co.uk/129Episode 130: Take control of your time: www.consultjuliet.co.uk/130Episode 124: Resilient systems, processes and succession planning: www.consultjuliet.co.uk/124Episode 115: Strategic social media: www.consultjuliet.co.uk/115Online tools mentioned:Calendly: https://calendly.com/Clara AI diary management: https://claralabs.com/Canva: https://www.canva.com/SmarterQueue: https://smarterqueue.com/queueLoom: https://www.loom.com/Trello: https://trello.com/Asana: https://asana.com/ClickUp: https://clickup.com/Thank you so much for listening to The Independent School Podcast. I would be grateful if you could spare a couple of minutes to send me some feedback here. This helps me make the podcast as helpful as possible to listeners. Thank you!

Here is Part 2 in my Personal Effectiveness mini-series and in this episode I'll be addressing how to Take Control of your Time. This is a subjective topic since different methods work for different people but one thing holds true: You are in control!Listen as I offer some diary-blocking basics, as well as some techniques to try for better managing your time.I connect back with the overarching themes of this mini-series, which are: reactive vs. proactive and multi-tasking vs. focused work patterns. Check out this episode for a range of possible tactics to improve your personal effectiveness and productivity in your work. References and ResourcesEpisode 129: Your inbox is not your jobCalm appPomodoro technique linkThank you so much for listening to The Independent School Podcast. I would be grateful if you could spare a couple of minutes to send me some feedback here. This helps me make the podcast as helpful as possible to listeners. Thank you!

Welcome to Part 1 in my three-episode mini-series on Personal Effectiveness. In this first episode, I address how important it is to realise that your inbox is not your job. I share the management mind-set needed for efficient organisation of your time and how to form positive habits. Don't ignore your inbox, but prioritise and realise that ‘no-one gets promoted because their inbox is dealt with each day.' Listen to hear email habits you'll want to cultivate as well as thoughts on how to increase your productivity and not feel chained to your inbox and others' requests.Next week's episode Part 2 covers Taking control of your Time.References and Resources‘How Multitasking Affects Productivity and Brain Health'‘How To Make Your Actual Work As Addictive As Email'‘Here Are Five Tips to Mindfully Managing Your Emails'Thank you so much for listening to The Independent School Podcast. I would be grateful if you could spare a couple of minutes to send me some feedback here. This helps me make the podcast as helpful as possible to listeners. Thank you!

In this episode Kristina McClendon, Deputy Director of Development, Magdalen College School, Oxford joins me to discuss their regular giving programme.Kristina shares views on differences she has seen between US and UK regular giving fundraising. There's a great deal we can learn from best practice in the US, from building a culture of philanthropy, being unafraid to ask, and creating a donor journey from regular giving into larger gifts.Regular giving lets people raise their hands and say ‘Yes, I want to support the school. I want to support what you're doing', which is why this work is critical in creating a sustainable fundraising function. References and Resources066: Endowment bursary fundraising with Susie Baker, Director, Waynflete Office, Magdalen College School 099: Strategic stewardship with Laura Firth, Director of Development, Bolton School114: Community Fundraising with Ed Lang, Buffalo Fundraising ConsultantsContact me at juliet@consultjuliet.co.uk for one-to-one consultation appointments. I'd be happy to problem-solve and plan strategy with you.Alternatively, sign up for my weekly email for further tips and reminders about how to work with your strategy in a positive way. www.consultjuliet.co.uk/signupThank you so much for listening to The Independent School Podcast. I would be grateful if you could spare a couple of minutes to send me some feedback here. This helps me make the podcast as helpful as possible to listeners. Thank you!

In this episode, the power of divergent thinking is explored. You'll hear how it can improve strategy and decision-making in your leadership role. We delve into the importance of encouraging contrary views and not shying away from criticism, even if it is difficult to hear.Listen to some reflective approaches and personal experiences from which I advocate taking a moment to pause, reflect on impact vs. intention, before responding with intention.This episode talks you through how to seek out and hear the criticism, understand the motivation with reflection and ultimately respond in the best way for your school.Thank you so much for listening to The Independent School Podcast. I would be grateful if you could spare a couple of minutes to send me some feedback here. This helps me make the podcast as helpful as possible to listeners. Thank you!

Using emotion to engage your team in your school strategy really works and this episode gives you anecdotes and reasons why harnessing emotion can be a successful leadership approach.Having a clear strategy does make you feel amazing. I share stories and experience from my own career journey to assure you that using emotion to sell strategic initiatives to your team is empowering for all involved. Listen to this week's episode to hear how you too can achieve that sense of accomplishment through enjoyable efforts.References and ResourcesContact me at juliet@consultjuliet.co.uk for one-to-one consultation appointments. I'd be happy to problem-solve and plan with you.Alternatively, sign up for my weekly email for further tips and reminders about how to successfully work with your strategy in a positive way. www.consultjuliet.co.uk/signupYou may also be interested in listening to last week's episode Episode 125: Strategy development case study with Louise Simpson, Head, Exeter School Thank you so much for listening to The Independent School Podcast. I would be grateful if you could spare a couple of minutes to send me some feedback here. This helps me make the podcast as helpful as possible to listeners. Thank you!