Episode Summary

In this episode, Professor Osama Khan, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of the University of South Wales, reflects on one of the hardest transitions in senior leadership: moving from being the expert who has the answers to the leader who creates the conditions for others to contribute their expertise.

Drawing on his own transition into the Vice-Chancellor role, Osama explores what it means to unlearn the instinct to solve every problem, know every detail and be the first voice in the room. He discusses the importance of active listening, welcoming dissenting views and creating psychological safety, while still recognising that leadership ultimately requires decisions to be made.

The conversation also explores the continuing importance of mentorship and feedback at the most senior levels of leadership, and why vulnerability is a strength rather than a weakness. Osama reflects on the value of admitting mistakes, changing your mind when someone else has the stronger argument, and building a talented team rather than trying to become the “fountain of knowledge”.

At its heart, this is a conversation about the shift from expertise to leadership, and the habits leaders may need to let go of as their responsibilities grow.

Keywords

Leadership, Unlearning, Executive Leadership, Higher Education, Expertise, Active Listening, Psychological Safety, Vulnerability, Decision-Making, Mentorship, Team Leadership

Key Topics

• The difficult transition from expert to organisational leader
• Unlearning the need to have all the answers or remain in control
• Knowing when to speak and when to create space for other voices
• Active listening without allowing decision-making to become paralysed by consensus
• Creating psychological safety and welcoming dissenting views
• The role of mentorship and feedback in senior leadership
• Recognising and managing personal leadership tendencies, including optimism bias
• Building and trusting a strong team
• Using vulnerability, mistakes and changed decisions to create a healthier leadership culture

Key Takeaways

• What makes you successful as an expert may not make you effective as a senior leader. Leadership increasingly requires drawing on the expertise of others rather than demonstrating your own.
• Unlearning requires deliberate restraint. Leaders may need to resist the instinct to offer the solution, know every detail or set the direction too early.
• The leader’s voice carries disproportionate weight. Speaking too soon can unintentionally create groupthink and discourage better ideas from emerging.
• Listening does not mean seeking endless consensus. Effective leaders actively listen to different and dissenting views, then make decisions when decisions need to be made.
• Psychological safety begins with the leader. Admitting mistakes, changing your mind and acknowledging when someone else has the stronger argument gives others permission to learn and grow.
• Mentorship remains essential at the top. Senior leaders need trusted people with whom they can think openly, seek challenge and be vulnerable without feeling they must perform their role.

Chapters

02:06 Introduction to Leadership and Unlearning

06:08 The Challenge of Unlearning as a Leader

10:27 The Role of Mentorship in Leadership

17:45 Creating Psychological Safety in Leadership

26:32 Conclusion: Embracing Vulnerability in Leadership

Summary

In this episode, Rachael Falloon reflects on one of the most challenging aspects of leadership: unlearning the habits, assumptions and instincts that once brought success but can ultimately limit growth.

Drawing on her experience as a senior executive leader and school principal, Rachael shares how letting go of the need to be the fixer, learning to trust others, and leading with greater curiosity transformed her approach to leadership. She explores how self-reflection, compassion and the willingness to unlearn can help leaders move beyond simply managing people to creating the conditions in which others can thrive.

This conversation offers practical insights for anyone leading in complex, high-responsibility environments and serves as a reminder that becoming a better leader is often less about acquiring new skills and more about having the courage to let go of old ones.

Keywords

Leadership, Unlearning, Growth, Trust, Curiosity, Education Leadership, Self-Development, Leadership Habits

Takeaways

• The importance of unlearning habits for leadership growth
• The role of curiosity in leadership development
• How being a doer can hinder leadership effectiveness
• The transition from micromanaging to empowering others
• Strategies for reflecting back instead of fixing
• The role of vulnerability and trust in leadership development
• Creating safe environments for team members to unlearn and experiment
• The impact of curiosity on leadership and unlearning processes
• Practical questions to foster reflection and growth in teams
• How unlearning enhances listening, compassion, and decision-making

Chapters

00:38 Introduction to Leadership as a Reflective Discipline

01:49 The Essence of Leadership Growth

02:55 Unlearning as a Leadership Necessity

06:52 The Shift from Fixer to Empowerer

10:07 The Impact of Feedback on Leadership

13:12 Creating a Safe Environment for Growth

16:14 Encouraging Experimentation in Leadership

20:12 The Role of Curiosity in Unlearning

26:31 The Courage to Unlearn and Let Go

Guest links

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachael-falloon-74774413/

Primary Goal

Reflection on leadership journey and podcast season

Summary

Professor Kene Igweonu reflects on his first season of the Leading Yourself podcast, sharing insights from conversations with seven leaders across sectors. He explores themes of values, identity, balance, authenticity, and the importance of continuous learning in leadership.

Key Topics

• Leadership as impact grounded in values
• Self-awareness and personal growth
• The importance of authenticity and integrity
• Balancing responsibilities and self-care
• Leadership as a continuous learning process

Takeaways

• Leadership begins and continues with values.
• Authenticity under pressure is crucial.
• Leadership is about practice, not position.
• Unlearning is essential for growth.
• Leadership is a journey of becoming more fully yourself.

Chapters

02:02 Season One Reflection: A Journey of Leadership

05:56 Key Insights from Conversations with Leaders

22:51 Looking Ahead: Season Two and the Courage to Let Go