Episode 9 - Culture is the Strategy with Penny Weily

Discretionary effort is one of the clearest signs of a healthy school culture, when people step up, take ownership and lead without being asked. But it doesn’t happen by accident. In this episode, we’re joined by Penny Wiley, an experienced principal who believes culture isn’t something you add on to your strategy, it is the strategy.

Penny shares how clarity, transparency and shared decision-making have helped her build a culture where staff feel trusted to act, confident to make decisions, and motivated to contribute beyond their role description. Using a powerful tree metaphor (roots, trunk, branches and leaves) she explains how clear boundaries and expectations actually create more autonomy, not less.

This is a practical conversation for leaders who want to move beyond slogans and create cultures where people feel trusted, supported and proud of the work they do every single day.

We would like to take this opportunity to than the NSW Primary Principals’ Association, our learning partner in this Podcast.

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