Ewan McIntosh
@ewanmcintosh.bsky.social
I help people find focus and design clear strategy for their school. Founder @NoTosh.
Coming up this Monday, 7am: Design isn't decoration. What does it take to create a strategy that doesn't kill 20 years of possibility in your school? Subscribe for free so you don't miss out: mailchi.mp/notosh.com/t...
March 29, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Coming up this Monday, 7am: Design isn't decoration. What does it take to create a strategy that doesn't kill 20 years of possibility in your school? Subscribe for free so you don't miss out: mailchi.mp/notosh.com/t...
Serious faces planning the most engaging course on middle leadership that's around. We launch with a fantastic cohort on Monday. It's not too late to join us... but at midnight we'll close participation in 2025's course and you'll have to wait until 2026.
learn.notosh.com/leading_from...
learn.notosh.com/leading_from...
February 14, 2025 at 10:20 AM
Serious faces planning the most engaging course on middle leadership that's around. We launch with a fantastic cohort on Monday. It's not too late to join us... but at midnight we'll close participation in 2025's course and you'll have to wait until 2026.
learn.notosh.com/leading_from...
learn.notosh.com/leading_from...
This is what I carried around 18 years ago, to produce some of the world’s first podcasts, capture film and photography, and publish them.
32 items on the photo are now of a better quality in my iPhone. And my back is grateful.
32 items on the photo are now of a better quality in my iPhone. And my back is grateful.
February 13, 2025 at 9:05 AM
This is what I carried around 18 years ago, to produce some of the world’s first podcasts, capture film and photography, and publish them.
32 items on the photo are now of a better quality in my iPhone. And my back is grateful.
32 items on the photo are now of a better quality in my iPhone. And my back is grateful.
In Leading from the Middle, we help middle leaders and senior leaders spot mistakes before they happen.
It’s called doing a pre-mortem—making sure the project won’t die.
It’s called doing a pre-mortem—making sure the project won’t die.
February 5, 2025 at 12:07 PM
In Leading from the Middle, we help middle leaders and senior leaders spot mistakes before they happen.
It’s called doing a pre-mortem—making sure the project won’t die.
It’s called doing a pre-mortem—making sure the project won’t die.
Want to know the biggest mistake I ever made?
We tend to hide our failures, but I’m going to share one of my biggest.
I didn’t pick up the phone.
That’s it.
Sounds small, doesn’t it?
We tend to hide our failures, but I’m going to share one of my biggest.
I didn’t pick up the phone.
That’s it.
Sounds small, doesn’t it?
February 5, 2025 at 12:07 PM
Want to know the biggest mistake I ever made?
We tend to hide our failures, but I’m going to share one of my biggest.
I didn’t pick up the phone.
That’s it.
Sounds small, doesn’t it?
We tend to hide our failures, but I’m going to share one of my biggest.
I didn’t pick up the phone.
That’s it.
Sounds small, doesn’t it?
Why do a leadership development programme if it doesn't make a difference to students, now? LftM has helped over 700 leaders deliver projects more effectively, rather than putting them off "until the time is right". The right time is right now. Join us this February.
January 28, 2025 at 1:56 PM
Why do a leadership development programme if it doesn't make a difference to students, now? LftM has helped over 700 leaders deliver projects more effectively, rather than putting them off "until the time is right". The right time is right now. Join us this February.
"I don't think the school will INVEST that money in me."
A template for anyone who wants to up their skills and needs to ask the boss.
You were made to lead. Don't let this year's budget hold back the next ten years.
learn.notosh.com/leading-lett...
A template for anyone who wants to up their skills and needs to ask the boss.
You were made to lead. Don't let this year's budget hold back the next ten years.
learn.notosh.com/leading-lett...
January 23, 2025 at 9:26 AM
"I don't think the school will INVEST that money in me."
A template for anyone who wants to up their skills and needs to ask the boss.
You were made to lead. Don't let this year's budget hold back the next ten years.
learn.notosh.com/leading-lett...
A template for anyone who wants to up their skills and needs to ask the boss.
You were made to lead. Don't let this year's budget hold back the next ten years.
learn.notosh.com/leading-lett...
We're adding a new face and new ideas to 2025's LEADING FROM THE MIDDLE.
Kate Wadsworth joins the team. Learn from coaching insights and discover new frameworks to enhance your skills. #LeadershipDevelopment #CoachingInsights #middleleadership
learn.notosh.com/leading_from...
Kate Wadsworth joins the team. Learn from coaching insights and discover new frameworks to enhance your skills. #LeadershipDevelopment #CoachingInsights #middleleadership
learn.notosh.com/leading_from...
January 15, 2025 at 4:55 PM
We're adding a new face and new ideas to 2025's LEADING FROM THE MIDDLE.
Kate Wadsworth joins the team. Learn from coaching insights and discover new frameworks to enhance your skills. #LeadershipDevelopment #CoachingInsights #middleleadership
learn.notosh.com/leading_from...
Kate Wadsworth joins the team. Learn from coaching insights and discover new frameworks to enhance your skills. #LeadershipDevelopment #CoachingInsights #middleleadership
learn.notosh.com/leading_from...
This is a concept older than my working life... but it's so easy to forget the easy way to tackle tough problems. The biggest issues we face get solved by tackling what's right under our noses first. What's it going to be today?
www.linkedin.com/posts/ewanmc...
www.linkedin.com/posts/ewanmc...
January 15, 2025 at 4:47 PM
This is a concept older than my working life... but it's so easy to forget the easy way to tackle tough problems. The biggest issues we face get solved by tackling what's right under our noses first. What's it going to be today?
www.linkedin.com/posts/ewanmc...
www.linkedin.com/posts/ewanmc...
90% of strategy looks good on paper and then fails to deliver. The key is making more of middle leadership.
One month left to get your spots on 2025's LEADING FROM THE MIDDLE from @notosh: learn.notosh.com/leading_from...
One month left to get your spots on 2025's LEADING FROM THE MIDDLE from @notosh: learn.notosh.com/leading_from...
January 12, 2025 at 3:07 PM
90% of strategy looks good on paper and then fails to deliver. The key is making more of middle leadership.
One month left to get your spots on 2025's LEADING FROM THE MIDDLE from @notosh: learn.notosh.com/leading_from...
One month left to get your spots on 2025's LEADING FROM THE MIDDLE from @notosh: learn.notosh.com/leading_from...
At the end of January, join me for a free seminar on how the skills great middle leaders can learn, also benefit their students! In partnership with @castrips
www.eventbrite.com/e/confident-...
www.eventbrite.com/e/confident-...
January 6, 2025 at 1:51 PM
At the end of January, join me for a free seminar on how the skills great middle leaders can learn, also benefit their students! In partnership with @castrips
www.eventbrite.com/e/confident-...
www.eventbrite.com/e/confident-...
Worth a follow for some stunning photography around our city. The top 20 just published captures Edinburgh on its best behaviour:
tomduffin.substack.com/p/top-20
@tomduffinphotos.bsky.social
tomduffin.substack.com/p/top-20
@tomduffinphotos.bsky.social
December 23, 2024 at 9:36 AM
Worth a follow for some stunning photography around our city. The top 20 just published captures Edinburgh on its best behaviour:
tomduffin.substack.com/p/top-20
@tomduffinphotos.bsky.social
tomduffin.substack.com/p/top-20
@tomduffinphotos.bsky.social
Just an hour to go! There's still time to register for our FREE WEBINAR on MIDDLE LEADERSHIP STRATEGIES: notosh.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
December 12, 2024 at 7:41 AM
Just an hour to go! There's still time to register for our FREE WEBINAR on MIDDLE LEADERSHIP STRATEGIES: notosh.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Spotify has found the perfect balance between autonomy and accountability. 🧵...
At Spotify, teams are autonomous. Leadership equips them with:
A clear focus on a problem;
Outcomes they’re responsible for;
Resources and guidance;
Empowerment to work with users;
A prototyping culture.
At Spotify, teams are autonomous. Leadership equips them with:
A clear focus on a problem;
Outcomes they’re responsible for;
Resources and guidance;
Empowerment to work with users;
A prototyping culture.
December 10, 2024 at 9:59 AM
Spotify has found the perfect balance between autonomy and accountability. 🧵...
At Spotify, teams are autonomous. Leadership equips them with:
A clear focus on a problem;
Outcomes they’re responsible for;
Resources and guidance;
Empowerment to work with users;
A prototyping culture.
At Spotify, teams are autonomous. Leadership equips them with:
A clear focus on a problem;
Outcomes they’re responsible for;
Resources and guidance;
Empowerment to work with users;
A prototyping culture.
How do you make better use of your incredible middle leaders? And how can you, as a middle leader, step up your practice? Next Thursday I'm co-hosting a FREE WEBINAR with practical takeaways and frameworks. Sign up to join us and to get the recording:
notosh.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
notosh.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
December 4, 2024 at 12:43 PM
How do you make better use of your incredible middle leaders? And how can you, as a middle leader, step up your practice? Next Thursday I'm co-hosting a FREE WEBINAR with practical takeaways and frameworks. Sign up to join us and to get the recording:
notosh.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
notosh.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Strategy is all about making choices.
Real choices involve charting one path, knowing the opposite is equally valid—but valid for someone else, not for you.
Stats, spreadsheets, and satisfaction surveys often reinforce the obvious, the existing bias.
Real choices involve charting one path, knowing the opposite is equally valid—but valid for someone else, not for you.
Stats, spreadsheets, and satisfaction surveys often reinforce the obvious, the existing bias.
November 25, 2024 at 11:30 AM
Strategy is all about making choices.
Real choices involve charting one path, knowing the opposite is equally valid—but valid for someone else, not for you.
Stats, spreadsheets, and satisfaction surveys often reinforce the obvious, the existing bias.
Real choices involve charting one path, knowing the opposite is equally valid—but valid for someone else, not for you.
Stats, spreadsheets, and satisfaction surveys often reinforce the obvious, the existing bias.
Caught in my happy place. Quo Vadis, Soho, London.
November 22, 2024 at 6:27 PM
Caught in my happy place. Quo Vadis, Soho, London.
Sometimes leadership teams waste time on simple decisions, leaving no energy for defining ones.
As @jamesclear.bsky.social puts it:
"I think about decisions in three ways: hats, haircuts, and tattoos."
As @jamesclear.bsky.social puts it:
"I think about decisions in three ways: hats, haircuts, and tattoos."
November 19, 2024 at 7:44 AM
Sometimes leadership teams waste time on simple decisions, leaving no energy for defining ones.
As @jamesclear.bsky.social puts it:
"I think about decisions in three ways: hats, haircuts, and tattoos."
As @jamesclear.bsky.social puts it:
"I think about decisions in three ways: hats, haircuts, and tattoos."
What’s your work at each level?
You can have as many things in Level 1 as long as they’re routine. You can have one thing in Level 2. Level 3 is defined only by the talent on your team.
Key to Levels 1 and 3 are confident, talented middle leaders.
You can have as many things in Level 1 as long as they’re routine. You can have one thing in Level 2. Level 3 is defined only by the talent on your team.
Key to Levels 1 and 3 are confident, talented middle leaders.
November 18, 2024 at 6:16 AM
What’s your work at each level?
You can have as many things in Level 1 as long as they’re routine. You can have one thing in Level 2. Level 3 is defined only by the talent on your team.
Key to Levels 1 and 3 are confident, talented middle leaders.
You can have as many things in Level 1 as long as they’re routine. You can have one thing in Level 2. Level 3 is defined only by the talent on your team.
Key to Levels 1 and 3 are confident, talented middle leaders.
Level 3 Work is essential, all the time: prospecting. But not everyone does it. Level 3 is undertaken by a small, quiet group—the ones with a feverish interest in emerging trends. They assess what’s useful, discard what’s not, and plan how to seize opportunities that could be great.
November 18, 2024 at 6:16 AM
Level 3 Work is essential, all the time: prospecting. But not everyone does it. Level 3 is undertaken by a small, quiet group—the ones with a feverish interest in emerging trends. They assess what’s useful, discard what’s not, and plan how to seize opportunities that could be great.
Level 2 is having a bold ambition that everyone is pulling towards. It's the singular focus that's front of mind. You’re not telling people what to do to reach it—they adapt their work. And you must promise you’ll stick to it. The plan is for Level 2 work to become routine over time.
November 18, 2024 at 6:16 AM
Level 2 is having a bold ambition that everyone is pulling towards. It's the singular focus that's front of mind. You’re not telling people what to do to reach it—they adapt their work. And you must promise you’ll stick to it. The plan is for Level 2 work to become routine over time.
The three levels closer to the ground are worth starting your journey into creating focus.
Ground level, or close to it, is often where work must be done before bold ambitions can play.
Level 1 Work is for all the things that are business as usual and should feel routine for most people.
Ground level, or close to it, is often where work must be done before bold ambitions can play.
Level 1 Work is for all the things that are business as usual and should feel routine for most people.
November 18, 2024 at 6:16 AM
The three levels closer to the ground are worth starting your journey into creating focus.
Ground level, or close to it, is often where work must be done before bold ambitions can play.
Level 1 Work is for all the things that are business as usual and should feel routine for most people.
Ground level, or close to it, is often where work must be done before bold ambitions can play.
Level 1 Work is for all the things that are business as usual and should feel routine for most people.
If you want to develop more innovative organisational habits, your school needs to operate on three levels most of the time.
As I wrote this in Manhattan, dazzled by skyscrapers, I realised that leaders and Boards are fixated on the top of the tower—the shiny bits everyone sees.
As I wrote this in Manhattan, dazzled by skyscrapers, I realised that leaders and Boards are fixated on the top of the tower—the shiny bits everyone sees.
November 18, 2024 at 6:16 AM
If you want to develop more innovative organisational habits, your school needs to operate on three levels most of the time.
As I wrote this in Manhattan, dazzled by skyscrapers, I realised that leaders and Boards are fixated on the top of the tower—the shiny bits everyone sees.
As I wrote this in Manhattan, dazzled by skyscrapers, I realised that leaders and Boards are fixated on the top of the tower—the shiny bits everyone sees.