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Episode Summary

The way we communicate shapes everything—our relationships, our culture, and our collective growth. In this episode, we explore these ideas with Kai Vacher, Principal of the British Schools of Muscat and Salalah.

As a long-serving school leader, Kai recognised that traditional performance management approaches weren't creating meaningful professional development. His school community asked a powerful question: What if we equipped everyone with the skills to have better conversations?

The answer sparked a four-year transformative journey involving multi-level training, collaborative learning, and ongoing evaluation to measure real impact.

What Changed

The school now has a culture where staff have genuine agency over their professional growth, trust runs deep across all levels, reciprocation and support are the norm, and relationships strengthen through intentional, skilled dialogue.

From Concern to Innovation

Kai shares how the school moved from concerns about ineffective performance management systems to building skilled dialogue and deeper trust. Through individual coaching, mentoring, and team coaching, these communication skills became embedded in daily practice. Staff now learn together and actively shape a process that builds engagement, innovation, and professional agency.

Advice for School Leaders

Kai offers three practical recommendations for leaders considering coaching to develop dialogue quality:

1. Be curious - Read extensively, explore recommended books, research, and podcasts
2. Experience coaching yourself - Find a coach with good chemistry and discover what the relationship offers
3. Train alongside your team - Engage in coach training together, explore new skills and tools, and deepen how you relate to each other

Acknowledgments

Kai credits the inspiration and support of David Porritt, Ave Peetri, Linda Berlot, Nicolas McKie, and insights from Tony Blair, Brené Brown, Alex Ferguson, John Gottman, and Simon Sinek.

This isn't just about coaching—it's about creating an environment where how we communicate fundamentally changes how we work together.

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Flexible Working in International Schools

In this episode, we explore what flexible working really means for staff in international schools. We unpack the concept of flexible and contracted work, looking closely at how job-share arrangements can strengthen staff retention, support professional growth, and enhance recruitment.

We speak candidly about the challenges that come with managing multiple job shares within a school, and we offer practical strategies for overcoming these complexities.

The conversation then moves into the role of special leave and how responding flexibly to staff needs can cultivate a culture of care, compassion, and trust. We share real examples of what effective practice looks like, and discuss how to ensure that leave requests are handled equitably and sustainably, without placing undue strain on colleagues.

We also provide guidance on creating responsive working conditions that allow staff to meet personal needs while contributing meaningfully to team and whole-school performance. Ultimately, we explore how flexible working can help us build schools where staff feel present, engaged, and supported throughout every stage of their careers—something we know has a direct impact on the consistency and quality of learning for students.

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Guest: Julia Knight

International School Leader & School Improvement Partner, Bahrain

The Journey to International Education

Julia Knight shares her transition into the international school sector, revealing the personal and professional opportunities this path has created for both her career and her family. Her story offers insight into what draws educators across borders and the rewards that come with embracing global education.

Leading While Living: The Balancing Act

With characteristic honesty, Julia discusses navigating the complex terrain of educational leadership while being present as a mother of two, a partner, and a friend. She opens up about the deliberate decisions required to honour both professional ambitions and personal commitments—a reality many leaders face but few discuss so candidly.

The Power of Your Professional Circle

Julia makes a compelling case for intentionally building a trusted community of fellow professionals. She emphasises the value of having colleagues who provide not just advice and encouragement, but the honest, candid feedback that drives real growth. In leadership, she argues, isolation is a choice we don't have to make.

Lifting Others as You Climb

One of Julia's most powerful messages centres on leadership as a collective endeavour. She speaks passionately about the responsibility experienced leaders have to support those coming up behind them and alongside them—creating conditions where everyone can thrive and find fulfilment in their work.

Real Talk About School Improvement

Julia doesn't shy away from the challenging realities of international school headship and the genuine improvement work required in schools today. What sets her apart is how she approaches these challenges: with humour, courage, and an infectious passion for making schools better places for learning and working.

This conversation offers a refreshingly honest look at educational leadership through the eyes of someone living it daily—complete with its challenges, joys, and endless possibilities.