In this episode of Beat Teacher Burnout, I’m joined by Bob Benson, a former secondary headteacher and now coach and consultant, to explore a deeply embedded belief in education: that strong leadership means pushing through, coping silentlyand toughing it out.

Drawing on lived experience, Bob reflects on the pressures of headship and how ongoing stress can quietly change who we are, pulling us away from the kindness and values that brought us into education.

Together, we unpack the realities of school life, constant reactivity, emotional labour and long hours and question the idea that being busy or visible equals being effective.

We also explore emotional honesty in leadership, the balance between vulnerability and oversharing and practical ways leaders can protect their wellbeing and model healthier boundaries.

In this conversation, we explore:

• Why “toughing it out” is often confused with strength in education
• How leadership pressure can quietly reshape behaviour and identity
• The impact of stress on empathy, kindness, and decision-making
• Why emotional intelligence becomes harder but more vital in busy schools
• The difference between being busy and being effective
• How leaders can model healthier ways of working without guilt
• Why sustainable leadership matters for the future of the profession

Key Message

Toughing it out is not what makes leaders strong.Self-awareness, kindness and courageous boundary-setting are what sustain people and schools over time.

If you’re a leader or teacher feeling the pressure to keep going at all costs, this episode offers reassurance that doing things differently isn't a weakness, it's leadership.

Connect with Bob Benson:

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/bob-benson1educator.

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