In this episode of The Future We Shape, host Kerrin Smith explores what it means to lead well in today’s schools, when uncertainty is high, wellbeing is stretched, and the pace of change shows no sign of slowing.
Kerrin is joined by two remarkable guests: Dr Michelle McQuaid, award-winning researcher, LinkedIn Top Voice for Mental Health, and Honorary Fellow at the University of Melbourne’s Centre for Wellbeing Science; and Kendra Parker, Director of the Leadership Excellence Division at the Victorian Academy of Teaching and Leadership.
Together they discuss how leaders can navigate the “super-cycle of change” affecting education, build psychological and psychosocial safety, and foster cultures of trust, courage, and care. Michelle shares her HEART framework for leading through complexity with humanity, while Kendra draws on decades of experience to highlight the dispositions and practices that sustain effective, compassionate leadership in schools.
If you’re a school leader or educator seeking clarity, courage, and practical strategies to support your team’s wellbeing, this episode offers evidence-based insights you can use right away.

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