Shane Leaning
@shaneleaning.com
I help leaders grow confident, high-impact schools - Best-selling author & chart-topping podcaster
Join my leadership intensive:
educationleaders.co/intensive
My book:
https://amzn.eu/d/e4z6Y2T
My podcast:
https://podfollow.com/educationleaders
Join my leadership intensive:
educationleaders.co/intensive
My book:
https://amzn.eu/d/e4z6Y2T
My podcast:
https://podfollow.com/educationleaders
Pinned
Shane Leaning
@shaneleaning.com
· Dec 15
Leading as a Coach: A Two-Day Shanghai Workshop for School Leaders
Stop telling, start coaching. Two intensive days of hands-on practice to transform how you lead. 12 spots only. Shanghai, Feb 2026.
leadingasacoach.eventbrite.co.uk
School leaders in China: when did you last get proper face-to-face PD?
Running a two-day coaching workshop in Shanghai. Feb 27-28. 12 spots. Actual practice, not just theory.
If you keep giving answers instead of asking questions, this is for you.
leadingasacoach.eventbrite.co.uk
Running a two-day coaching workshop in Shanghai. Feb 27-28. 12 spots. Actual practice, not just theory.
If you keep giving answers instead of asking questions, this is for you.
leadingasacoach.eventbrite.co.uk
Only 1 in 5 Gen Z parents reads an official inspection report when choosing a school.
So what are they reading instead?
We talked about it: buff.ly/OenfUlu #SchoolLeadership
So what are they reading instead?
We talked about it: buff.ly/OenfUlu #SchoolLeadership
February 19, 2026 at 8:38 AM
Only 1 in 5 Gen Z parents reads an official inspection report when choosing a school.
So what are they reading instead?
We talked about it: buff.ly/OenfUlu #SchoolLeadership
So what are they reading instead?
We talked about it: buff.ly/OenfUlu #SchoolLeadership
Before Selina even visits a school for the Good Schools Guide, she's already been talking to parents.
Not reading the website. Talking to parents.
That reframed a lot for me.
Latest episode:
Not reading the website. Talking to parents.
That reframed a lot for me.
Latest episode:
Parent-Driven School Storytelling — ShaneLeaning.com
Selina Boyd, international editor of The Good Schools Guide, reveals what actually matters when parents choose schools for their children. With over a decade reviewing international schools and more…
buff.ly
February 18, 2026 at 9:38 AM
Before Selina even visits a school for the Good Schools Guide, she's already been talking to parents.
Not reading the website. Talking to parents.
That reframed a lot for me.
Latest episode:
Not reading the website. Talking to parents.
That reframed a lot for me.
Latest episode:
"Six weeks, staff will love it, results by half term."
Six months later: still implementing, staff resisting, no results yet.
Every. Single. Time.
Listen here: buff.ly/NHOWPaw
Six months later: still implementing, staff resisting, no results yet.
Every. Single. Time.
Listen here: buff.ly/NHOWPaw
February 17, 2026 at 7:38 AM
"Six weeks, staff will love it, results by half term."
Six months later: still implementing, staff resisting, no results yet.
Every. Single. Time.
Listen here: buff.ly/NHOWPaw
Six months later: still implementing, staff resisting, no results yet.
Every. Single. Time.
Listen here: buff.ly/NHOWPaw
Shanghai is quiet today. Wet streets. Families behind every closed door.
Year of the Horse. 🐴
Everyone talks about the horse's speed. I keep coming back to loyalty. Horses run WITH you.
More people. More schools. More of this work in the right hands.
新年快乐 🎉
Year of the Horse. 🐴
Everyone talks about the horse's speed. I keep coming back to loyalty. Horses run WITH you.
More people. More schools. More of this work in the right hands.
新年快乐 🎉
February 16, 2026 at 9:38 AM
Shanghai is quiet today. Wet streets. Families behind every closed door.
Year of the Horse. 🐴
Everyone talks about the horse's speed. I keep coming back to loyalty. Horses run WITH you.
More people. More schools. More of this work in the right hands.
新年快乐 🎉
Year of the Horse. 🐴
Everyone talks about the horse's speed. I keep coming back to loyalty. Horses run WITH you.
More people. More schools. More of this work in the right hands.
新年快乐 🎉
Reposted by Shane Leaning
I've been seeing some pretty compelling arguments online this week about why saying "Lunar New Year" is cultural erasure, that it strips the Chinese origins from a distinctly Chinese festival.
A thread 🧵
A thread 🧵
February 13, 2026 at 9:38 AM
I've been seeing some pretty compelling arguments online this week about why saying "Lunar New Year" is cultural erasure, that it strips the Chinese origins from a distinctly Chinese festival.
A thread 🧵
A thread 🧵
Good news: your brain updates strongly.
Bad news: barely registers.
We're literally wired to ignore warnings. This wrecks project planning constantly.
Listen here: buff.ly/NHOWPaw
#SchoolLeadership
Bad news: barely registers.
We're literally wired to ignore warnings. This wrecks project planning constantly.
Listen here: buff.ly/NHOWPaw
#SchoolLeadership
February 15, 2026 at 9:38 AM
Good news: your brain updates strongly.
Bad news: barely registers.
We're literally wired to ignore warnings. This wrecks project planning constantly.
Listen here: buff.ly/NHOWPaw
#SchoolLeadership
Bad news: barely registers.
We're literally wired to ignore warnings. This wrecks project planning constantly.
Listen here: buff.ly/NHOWPaw
#SchoolLeadership
Five cognitive biases sabotage your decisions constantly. You can't eliminate them, they're how your brain works.
But you can catch yourself before you mess up.
Listen here: buff.ly/NHOWPaw
But you can catch yourself before you mess up.
Listen here: buff.ly/NHOWPaw
February 14, 2026 at 9:38 AM
Five cognitive biases sabotage your decisions constantly. You can't eliminate them, they're how your brain works.
But you can catch yourself before you mess up.
Listen here: buff.ly/NHOWPaw
But you can catch yourself before you mess up.
Listen here: buff.ly/NHOWPaw
I've been seeing some pretty compelling arguments online this week about why saying "Lunar New Year" is cultural erasure, that it strips the Chinese origins from a distinctly Chinese festival.
A thread 🧵
A thread 🧵
February 13, 2026 at 9:38 AM
I've been seeing some pretty compelling arguments online this week about why saying "Lunar New Year" is cultural erasure, that it strips the Chinese origins from a distinctly Chinese festival.
A thread 🧵
A thread 🧵
That programme you're protecting, is it working or do you just love it because it's yours?
Endowment effect makes you value things just because they're yours. Not because they're objectively valuable.
Listen here: buff.ly/NHOWPaw
Endowment effect makes you value things just because they're yours. Not because they're objectively valuable.
Listen here: buff.ly/NHOWPaw
February 13, 2026 at 3:40 AM
That programme you're protecting, is it working or do you just love it because it's yours?
Endowment effect makes you value things just because they're yours. Not because they're objectively valuable.
Listen here: buff.ly/NHOWPaw
Endowment effect makes you value things just because they're yours. Not because they're objectively valuable.
Listen here: buff.ly/NHOWPaw
If Carlsberg did Thursdays, today would be it!
Started the day chatting with Zaretta Hammond and just finished chatting with Melati Wijsen
#LifeIsGood
Started the day chatting with Zaretta Hammond and just finished chatting with Melati Wijsen
#LifeIsGood
February 12, 2026 at 11:54 AM
If Carlsberg did Thursdays, today would be it!
Started the day chatting with Zaretta Hammond and just finished chatting with Melati Wijsen
#LifeIsGood
Started the day chatting with Zaretta Hammond and just finished chatting with Melati Wijsen
#LifeIsGood
Two spots left. That's it.
Leading as a Coach Masterclass — 27-28 February, central Shanghai. Two days in a small group setting where you actually practice.
Bring a colleague. Learn together. Apply it Monday morning.
leadingasacoach.eventbrite.com
Leading as a Coach Masterclass — 27-28 February, central Shanghai. Two days in a small group setting where you actually practice.
Bring a colleague. Learn together. Apply it Monday morning.
leadingasacoach.eventbrite.com
February 12, 2026 at 8:38 AM
Two spots left. That's it.
Leading as a Coach Masterclass — 27-28 February, central Shanghai. Two days in a small group setting where you actually practice.
Bring a colleague. Learn together. Apply it Monday morning.
leadingasacoach.eventbrite.com
Leading as a Coach Masterclass — 27-28 February, central Shanghai. Two days in a small group setting where you actually practice.
Bring a colleague. Learn together. Apply it Monday morning.
leadingasacoach.eventbrite.com
Brilliant candidate. Compelling refugee camp story. Hired her mentally in 5 minutes.
Total mismatch. We anchored on that opening and missed everything else.
Listen here: buff.ly/NHOWPaw
Total mismatch. We anchored on that opening and missed everything else.
Listen here: buff.ly/NHOWPaw
minutes.Total
February 11, 2026 at 9:38 AM
Brilliant candidate. Compelling refugee camp story. Hired her mentally in 5 minutes.
Total mismatch. We anchored on that opening and missed everything else.
Listen here: buff.ly/NHOWPaw
Total mismatch. We anchored on that opening and missed everything else.
Listen here: buff.ly/NHOWPaw
Thank you, Trevor 😊
I reckon this programme is the most intensive, practical and innovative leadership development programme out there.
Next cohort starts September. Comment below if you'd like me to send you more info.
I reckon this programme is the most intensive, practical and innovative leadership development programme out there.
Next cohort starts September. Comment below if you'd like me to send you more info.
February 10, 2026 at 5:38 AM
Thank you, Trevor 😊
I reckon this programme is the most intensive, practical and innovative leadership development programme out there.
Next cohort starts September. Comment below if you'd like me to send you more info.
I reckon this programme is the most intensive, practical and innovative leadership development programme out there.
Next cohort starts September. Comment below if you'd like me to send you more info.
Reposted by Shane Leaning
Last week, students, on the MEd, Leading the Wellbeing School, and staff, from StMary's University College, Belfast, welcomed international leadership expert, @shaneleaning.com, who gave an inspirational talk, took questions and directed workshops, all 𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲 by video link from Shanghai, China.
February 9, 2026 at 3:28 PM
Last week, students, on the MEd, Leading the Wellbeing School, and staff, from StMary's University College, Belfast, welcomed international leadership expert, @shaneleaning.com, who gave an inspirational talk, took questions and directed workshops, all 𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲 by video link from Shanghai, China.
Why do coaches in the US move to assistant principal as soon as they get good at coaching?
Gene explains the career ladder problem that keeps coaching programs stuck.
Listen here: buff.ly/9nm3O4t
Gene explains the career ladder problem that keeps coaching programs stuck.
Listen here: buff.ly/9nm3O4t
February 9, 2026 at 9:38 AM
Why do coaches in the US move to assistant principal as soon as they get good at coaching?
Gene explains the career ladder problem that keeps coaching programs stuck.
Listen here: buff.ly/9nm3O4t
Gene explains the career ladder problem that keeps coaching programs stuck.
Listen here: buff.ly/9nm3O4t
Jim Knight's first coaching articles appeared in 2004. We've only been doing this for 20 years. And Gene says we're still butchering it.
Sobering conversation.
Listen here: buff.ly/9nm3O4t
Sobering conversation.
Listen here: buff.ly/9nm3O4t
February 7, 2026 at 9:38 AM
Jim Knight's first coaching articles appeared in 2004. We've only been doing this for 20 years. And Gene says we're still butchering it.
Sobering conversation.
Listen here: buff.ly/9nm3O4t
Sobering conversation.
Listen here: buff.ly/9nm3O4t
The most effective part of PD is the one we all avoid: rehearsal.
We'll read about techniques, discuss them, plan to use them. But practise out loud in front of colleagues? No thanks.
That awkward practice is what actually sticks.
What's stopping it in your school?
👀 buff.ly/rSKzFMq
We'll read about techniques, discuss them, plan to use them. But practise out loud in front of colleagues? No thanks.
That awkward practice is what actually sticks.
What's stopping it in your school?
👀 buff.ly/rSKzFMq
February 6, 2026 at 9:38 AM
The most effective part of PD is the one we all avoid: rehearsal.
We'll read about techniques, discuss them, plan to use them. But practise out loud in front of colleagues? No thanks.
That awkward practice is what actually sticks.
What's stopping it in your school?
👀 buff.ly/rSKzFMq
We'll read about techniques, discuss them, plan to use them. But practise out loud in front of colleagues? No thanks.
That awkward practice is what actually sticks.
What's stopping it in your school?
👀 buff.ly/rSKzFMq
The culture develops through the work, not before it.
Stop waiting for perfect conditions to start coaching in your school.
Listen here: buff.ly/9nm3O4t
Stop waiting for perfect conditions to start coaching in your school.
Listen here: buff.ly/9nm3O4t
February 5, 2026 at 8:38 AM
The culture develops through the work, not before it.
Stop waiting for perfect conditions to start coaching in your school.
Listen here: buff.ly/9nm3O4t
Stop waiting for perfect conditions to start coaching in your school.
Listen here: buff.ly/9nm3O4t
On my way to check out the venue for something I’m genuinely excited about.
We’re bringing formative action to Shanghai – turning assessment into something that actually changes what happens in classrooms.
If you’re curious: www.pdacademia.com/implementing...
We’re bringing formative action to Shanghai – turning assessment into something that actually changes what happens in classrooms.
If you’re curious: www.pdacademia.com/implementing...
February 5, 2026 at 5:32 AM
On my way to check out the venue for something I’m genuinely excited about.
We’re bringing formative action to Shanghai – turning assessment into something that actually changes what happens in classrooms.
If you’re curious: www.pdacademia.com/implementing...
We’re bringing formative action to Shanghai – turning assessment into something that actually changes what happens in classrooms.
If you’re curious: www.pdacademia.com/implementing...
It's coming up to midnight and I'm up.....
Just about to deliver a guest lecture for MEd students at St Mary's University College Belfast on how to lead effective professional change.
Can't wait!
Just about to deliver a guest lecture for MEd students at St Mary's University College Belfast on how to lead effective professional change.
Can't wait!
February 4, 2026 at 3:27 PM
It's coming up to midnight and I'm up.....
Just about to deliver a guest lecture for MEd students at St Mary's University College Belfast on how to lead effective professional change.
Can't wait!
Just about to deliver a guest lecture for MEd students at St Mary's University College Belfast on how to lead effective professional change.
Can't wait!
"Coaching is confidential" might be the thing killing coaching programs.
Gene calls it a lethal mutation. His doctor analogy changed how I think about this.
Listen here: buff.ly/9nm3O4t
Gene calls it a lethal mutation. His doctor analogy changed how I think about this.
Listen here: buff.ly/9nm3O4t
February 4, 2026 at 9:38 AM
"Coaching is confidential" might be the thing killing coaching programs.
Gene calls it a lethal mutation. His doctor analogy changed how I think about this.
Listen here: buff.ly/9nm3O4t
Gene calls it a lethal mutation. His doctor analogy changed how I think about this.
Listen here: buff.ly/9nm3O4t
Gene Tavernetti told me he doesn't tell educators at parties that he's an instructional coach because they've had so many bad experiences with coaching.
That's our starting point.
Listen here: buff.ly/9nm3O4t
#SchoolLeadership
That's our starting point.
Listen here: buff.ly/9nm3O4t
#SchoolLeadership
February 3, 2026 at 7:38 AM
Gene Tavernetti told me he doesn't tell educators at parties that he's an instructional coach because they've had so many bad experiences with coaching.
That's our starting point.
Listen here: buff.ly/9nm3O4t
#SchoolLeadership
That's our starting point.
Listen here: buff.ly/9nm3O4t
#SchoolLeadership
Sometimes the frameworks don't help. Sometimes logic isn't enough.
Sometimes you just need to feel the feelings, and that's okay too.
buff.ly/Kfl2BjL
Sometimes you just need to feel the feelings, and that's okay too.
buff.ly/Kfl2BjL
February 3, 2026 at 12:11 AM
Sometimes the frameworks don't help. Sometimes logic isn't enough.
Sometimes you just need to feel the feelings, and that's okay too.
buff.ly/Kfl2BjL
Sometimes you just need to feel the feelings, and that's okay too.
buff.ly/Kfl2BjL
Posted about waking up feeling like an imposter and the response was overwhelming.
Person after person saying "me too."
Shame can't survive empathy.
Listen here: buff.ly/Kfl2BjL
Person after person saying "me too."
Shame can't survive empathy.
Listen here: buff.ly/Kfl2BjL
February 3, 2026 at 12:11 AM
Posted about waking up feeling like an imposter and the response was overwhelming.
Person after person saying "me too."
Shame can't survive empathy.
Listen here: buff.ly/Kfl2BjL
Person after person saying "me too."
Shame can't survive empathy.
Listen here: buff.ly/Kfl2BjL