Succeeding as Deputy Head with Chris Passey and Adam Kohlbeck

Good Morning!

This week’s episode is a gift for anyone who has ever tried to lead well in a school while still learning on the job, which is to say: all of us. I’m joined by Adam Kohlbeck and Chris Passey for a wide-ranging conversation about what effective leadership really looks like when the job is messy, relational and relentlessly human.

Together we explore the realities of deputy headship, the habits that separate impact from noise, and the subtle shift from managing tasks to shaping culture. What emerges is a thoughtful, grounded look at leadership as daily practice rather than performance, rooted in honesty, psychological safety and a genuine commitment to helping others thrive.

If you’ve ever wondered how to grow in the role without losing yourself in it, this is an episode worth sitting with.

A link to wherever you get your podcasts…

YouTube Audio

Recommendations

The Development of Expertise in Pedagogy - Berliner, D. C. (1988).

Seven strong claims about successful school leadership revisited. - Leithwood, K., Harris, A., & Hopkins, D. (2019).

Psychological safety and learning behaviour in work teams. - Edmondson, A. C. (1999).

Why should anyone be led by you? - Goffee, R. & Jones, G. (2000).

Visual Summary

Succeeding as Deputy Head in 9 Minutes 25 seconds

TDaPE Conference London 2026

The speaker window for TDaPE Conference London 2026 has just closed and we have a stellar line up of new and familiar voices in store for delegates. Tickets are now available here and group discounts are available for large groups via email or direct message. The conference is already shaping up to be more popular than last year, so don’t waste any time in picking up your tickets.

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That’s it for this week. I’d love to hear your thoughts or questions — drop a comment wherever you listen, or just hit reply to this email.

Until next time, thanks for listening.