In this episode of The Leadership Conversations Podcast, Jonno White sits down with Mark Plitzuweit, President CEO of Edkey, Inc., a diverse charter school network serving over 11,000 students. Mark shares powerful insights on what it takes to lead in education, discussing his journey from teacher to CEO and the core principles that have guided him through the complexities of organizational growth.

Mark opens up about his journey, which began on the athletic fields of high school and college, where he first discovered the power of teamwork and leadership. These early experiences in sports taught him the value of guiding others, a theme he carried forward into his career in education. He shares how, from his early days in the classroom to now leading Edkey, his approach has always centered on helping others uncover their strengths, creating an environment where each team member can thrive.

One of the central themes in this episode is Mark’s commitment to developing a high-retention, purpose-driven culture. When Mark joined Edkey in 2016, he was faced with financial instability and high turnover. Through a people-first approach, he turned these challenges into successes, achieving a 97% retention rate—a rarity in the education field. Mark describes how he built trust within his team by focusing on kindness, transparency, integrity, and open communication. By putting his core values into practice, Mark has created a culture where employees feel valued, empowered, and connected to Edkey’s mission.

Mark emphasizes the importance of trust in leadership, sharing his belief that leaders must release control and allow team members to grow through both success and failure. By giving school principals at Edkey the autonomy to make decisions and learn from their own experiences, Mark has fostered an environment where leadership isn’t about micromanaging but about supporting others to reach their full potential. His philosophy of “trust, yet verify” provides a balanced approach that encourages independence within a framework of accountability.

Another highlight of the conversation is Mark’s unique hiring strategy, which focuses on finding the right people for Edkey’s culture before matching them to specific roles. He explains why Edkey invests heavily in professional development, seeing it as an essential component of retaining passionate and motivated employees. By hiring for culture fit and offering robust training, Mark has built a team dedicated to serving the unique needs of each Edkey school community.

Mark also shares his thoughts on navigating change, especially in the rapidly evolving education landscape. He discusses how the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for schools to innovate and adapt, emphasizing that education must evolve to meet new challenges and expectations. Through his forward-thinking approach, Mark has positioned Edkey as a leader in flexible, community-centered education models that address each school’s unique needs.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in transformative leadership, team-building, and making a lasting impact in education. Mark’s story and insights offer valuable lessons on creating a resilient, mission-driven organization that thrives on trust, empowerment, and purposeful leadership.

In this episode of The Leadership Conversations Podcast, Jonno White speaks with Gez Mulvahil, Executive Officer of the Australian Catholic Primary Principals Association (ACPPA). With over 30 years of experience in Catholic education, including eight years as a school principal, Gez brings a wealth of knowledge about leadership in education, the complexities of school management, and the personal challenges leaders face in their roles.

Gez begins by sharing her journey from growing up in a small country town to becoming a principal in Darwin, emphasizing the importance of community. She reflects on how the tight-knit environment of her childhood shaped her leadership style, focusing on the value of connection, trust, and relationship-building in school settings. Gez's story highlights how great leaders foster a strong sense of belonging and mutual support within their teams, schools, and communities.

As the conversation continues, Gez offers valuable insights into the unique challenges faced by school principals. She discusses the often-overlooked reality of leadership loneliness, explaining how principals are often the "keepers of secrets" and how isolating it can be to carry the weight of confidential information about staff, students, and families. Gez opens up about how she managed this loneliness and stresses the importance of having strategies and support systems in place to deal with it.

One of the key themes in this episode is the balance between administrative duties and maintaining a strong school community. Gez candidly shares her experience navigating the steep learning curve of school administration—budgeting, human resources, and compliance—while also working to sustain the positive culture established by her predecessor. She reflects on how crucial it is for school leaders to develop their own toolkit to manage the evolving demands of leadership, and how adaptation and continuous learning are essential for success.

Gez also touches on the significance of storytelling in leadership. She explains why honoring a school's history and culture is vital when stepping into a leadership role. She believes that every school has a foundational story, and staying connected to that narrative is key to building trust and continuity, even as changes occur. Gez shares practical advice for new leaders on how to understand and respect a school's legacy while making necessary updates and improvements.

Throughout the episode, Gez highlights the importance of teamwork. She explains how building a strong leadership team and cultivating a supportive environment can significantly impact a principal's effectiveness. Gez introduces a unique concept she used called "tapping out," where team members could step in for one another during high-pressure moments, helping to alleviate stress and maintain a collaborative dynamic.

This episode is filled with practical advice and reflections for school leaders, educators, and anyone in leadership roles who wants to create a strong community and navigate the complexities of their responsibilities. Gez’s candid stories and actionable insights offer a refreshing take on leadership, making this episode a must-listen for anyone striving to lead with authenticity, adaptability, and heart.

In this episode of The Leadership Conversations Podcast, Jonno White sits down with Jethro Jones, an education consultant and host of the Transformative Principal podcast. Jethro shares his experiences from his years as a school principal, emphasizing how inspiring others and leading with vision are crucial elements of effective leadership. Whether you're an educator or a leader in any field, this conversation is packed with insights on how to build a thriving, vision-driven culture.

Jethro begins by recounting his journey from leading a group of young boys in his church to becoming a school principal. He quickly learned that having a title wasn’t enough to inspire others—it required building relationships and helping people see a greater vision. This lesson carried through his leadership journey and became a foundation for his approach to working with school leaders today.

The conversation explores the challenges of maintaining motivation in the face of burnout, particularly for teachers and school leaders. Jethro shares his perspective on the importance of understanding the difference between serving sacrificially and serving with purpose. He explains how focusing on putting others first doesn’t have to mean exhausting yourself to the point of burnout. Instead, he advocates for prioritizing tasks that truly serve the needs of students and teachers, rather than getting bogged down by unnecessary requirements.

Jethro dives deep into the idea of personalized learning and how it can transform education. He explains why allowing students to connect their passions with their learning can create more meaningful experiences and how this approach can be adapted to leadership in any organization. By focusing on what makes each person unique, Jethro demonstrates how leaders can inspire their teams to take ownership of their roles and contribute to a shared vision.

Another key theme is the power of clarity in leadership. Jethro emphasizes that being clear about your vision and expectations makes it easier to have honest, respectful conversations with your team. He shares stories of how, when he clearly communicated his vision for student-focused education, it not only led to better outcomes but also helped identify who was truly aligned with that vision.

Throughout the episode, Jethro offers practical advice for leaders who want to build a strong culture within their teams. He challenges leaders to ask themselves how they can create an environment where people feel valued, heard, and excited to contribute. By sharing his own successes and failures, Jethro provides a roadmap for how to develop a leadership style that is both impactful and sustainable.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone who wants to inspire others, cultivate a vision-driven culture, and navigate the complexities of leadership in education or any other field. Tune in to learn how you can lead with authenticity, clarity, and purpose.