The Unleash Learning Podcast

Leading learning doesn’t have to feel this hard [Episode 4/4]

Early career leaders are often asked to carry more than ever — without losing sight of learning. Leadership in today’s schools and organisations can feel scattered and relentless, particularly for those early in their leadership journey. Competing priorities, rising expectations, and limited support can make it hard to stay focused on what matters most. In this final episode of the four-part series How to Thrive as an Early Career Leader in the Era of Overwhelm, Dr William DeJean and Steven Trotter bring the conversation together, focusing on how early career leaders can lead learning with clarity and intention. The discussion centres on narrowing focus, building the right support around you, and reducing collective overwhelm so leadership remains connected to teaching and learning — not consumed by constant pressure. Here’s what you’ll learn: ✅ How to keep learning at the centre of your leadership role ✅ Why effective leadership relies on the right people, not everyone ✅ Who those people are and how they support sustainable leadership ✅ How to lower stress across teams and systems ✅ What leading learning well looks like in the era of overwhelm Who it’s for: Early career leaders, aspiring leaders, and leadership teams supporting those in their first years of leadership — particularly in education settings focused on learning improvement. ABOUT YOUR HOST Dr William DeJean is the founder and CEO of Unleash Learning and the host of Unleash Learning TV and radio. With more than 25 years in education, a doctorate in education, and three published books, William works with schools and leadership teams to turn complexity into clarity and help learning stick across organisations. CONNECT WITH US Website: https://unleash-learning.com [https://unleash-learning.com] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/unleashlearning/ [https://www.facebook.com/unleashlearning/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unleash.learning/ [https://www.instagram.com/unleash.learning/] X: https://x.com/unleash_learning [https://x.com/unleash_learning] FREE RESOURCES Complimentary info kit: https://unleash-learning.com [https://unleash-learning.com] If this episode helped connect the dots for you, consider sharing it with a colleague or leaving a review to support other early-career leaders.

Early Career leadership – this is essential to have [Episode 3/4]

Early career leadership was never meant to be a solo act. Many new leaders believe that strong leadership means coping quietly, solving problems alone, and not needing support. While rarely spoken aloud, this belief can increase stress, isolation, and burnout — even for highly capable leaders. In Episode 3 of this four-part series, Dr William DeJean and Steven Trotter explore why success teams are essential for early career leaders — and how the right kind of support can change both leadership experience and outcomes. This episode unpacks the difference between support that simply helps leaders survive the week and support that genuinely helps them grow, develop confidence, and sustain themselves over time. Here’s what you’ll learn: ✅ The leadership myth that encourages struggling in silence ✅ The two types of success teams leaders need to understand ✅ Which form of support most accelerates early career growth ✅ How the right support lowers stress sustainably ✅ One practical step to strengthen your leadership network now Who it’s for: Early career leaders, aspiring leaders, and leadership teams who support new leaders — particularly in education contexts where leadership demands are increasing. ABOUT YOUR HOST Dr William DeJean is the founder and CEO of Unleash Learning and the host of Unleash Learning TV and radio. With more than 25 years in education, a doctorate in education, and three published books, William works with schools and leadership teams to turn complexity into clarity and help learning stick across organisations. CONNECT WITH US Website: https://unleash-learning.com [https://unleash-learning.com] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/unleashlearning/ [https://www.facebook.com/unleashlearning/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unleash.learning/ [https://www.instagram.com/unleash.learning/] X: https://x.com/unleash_learning [https://x.com/unleash_learning] FREE RESOURCES Complimentary info kit: https://unleash-learning.com [https://unleash-learning.com] If you know an early career leader, consider sharing this episode with them — or leave a quick review to help others find it.

What the era of overwhelm means for early career leaders [Episode 2/4]

“I feel like a fraud.” Many early career leaders have thought it — even if they’ve never said it out loud. Stepping into leadership for the first time can feel heavier than expected. The responsibility increases. The visibility increases. The expectations increase. And quietly, self-doubt can increase too. In Episode 2 of this special four-part series, Dr William DeJean is joined by Steven Trotter to explore what they call the era of overwhelm — and why it is shaping the experience of early career leaders more than ever before. Rather than treating self-doubt as a personal flaw, this conversation reframes it as a signal of growth within a demanding leadership context. When leaders understand the environment they’re operating in, they’re better able to respond with clarity rather than self-criticism. Here’s what you’ll learn: ✅ What the era of overwhelm is and how it affects early-career leaders ✅ Why imposter feelings are more common than leaders admit ✅ How shadow beliefs form during periods of growth ✅ What genuinely supports leaders in their first five years ✅ A practical shift you can make to steady your leadership Who it’s for: Early career leaders in their first five years, aspiring leaders preparing for formal roles, and leadership teams supporting emerging leaders in education. ABOUT YOUR HOST Dr William DeJean is the founder and CEO of Unleash Learning and the host of Unleash Learning TV and radio. With more than 25 years in education, a doctorate in education, and three published books, William works with schools and leadership teams to turn complexity into clarity and help learning stick across organisations. CONNECT WITH US Website: https://unleash-learning.com [https://unleash-learning.com]Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/unleashlearning/ [https://www.facebook.com/unleashlearning/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unleash.learning/ [https://www.instagram.com/unleash.learning/] X: https://x.com/unleash_learning [https://x.com/unleash_learning] FREE RESOURCES Complimentary info kit: https://unleash-learning.com [https://unleash-learning.com] If this episode resonated, consider sharing it with an early career leader who needs to hear it — or leave a review to help others find the series.

Early career leader? Read this before you doubt yourself [Episode 1/4]

If you’re in your first few years of leadership, you already know the pressure can build quickly. You’re expected to lead with confidence, make sound decisions, and support others, all while still finding your own feet. It can feel like you’re stretched in every direction, quietly questioning whether you’re doing enough or doing it right. You’re not alone. And you’re not failing. You’re leading in a time where the demands on early career leaders are higher than ever. In this episode, William is joined by Steven Trotter, author, former school principal, and leadership advisor, to talk about what early career leaders need to understand if they want to grow into the role without burning out or losing confidence along the way. Here’s what you’ll learn: ✅ Why early career leadership often feels more intense than expected ✅ Why self-doubt and imposter thoughts are common in the first five years ✅ One practical move you can make now to steady yourself ✅ Why the habits you build early shape the leader you become If you’re navigating your first five years in leadership, or supporting someone who is, this conversation offers reassurance, perspective, and practical guidance you can use straight away. ABOUT YOUR HOST Dr William DeJean is the founder and CEO of Unleash Learning and the host of Unleash Learning TV and radio. With more than 25 years in education, a doctorate in education, and three published books, William works with schools and leadership teams to turn complexity into clarity and help learning stick across entire organisations. CONNECT WITH US Website: https://unleash-learning.com [https://unleash-learning.com]Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/unleashlearning/ [https://www.facebook.com/unleashlearning/]Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unleash.learning/ [https://www.instagram.com/unleash.learning/]X: https://x.com/unleash_learning [https://x.com/unleash_learning]FREE RESOURCES Complimentary info kit: https://unleash-learning.com [https://unleash-learning.com]Free eBooks: https://unleash-learning.com/free-ebook/ [https://unleash-learning.com/free-ebook/] Know an early career leader who needs this right now? Share the episode with them.

How to Tell If You’re an Inclusive Leader

If you’re working to build more inclusive leadership across your school, organisation, or network, you know how challenging it can be. In a time when language keeps evolving, expectations are shifting, and everyone’s trying to “get it right,” it’s easy to feel unsure about what true inclusion looks like — or how to lead it with confidence. In this episode, William talks with Bronwyn William, Acting Manager for Widening Participation at Western Sydney University, about what inclusive leadership really means — and how to make it part of your everyday practice. Here’s what you’ll learn: ✅ What inclusive leaders actually do (you’ll love this!) ✅ How to open access to power and opportunity for underrepresented communities ✅ How to make inclusion a shared responsibility — not one person’s job ✅ Practical ways to lead inclusively without adding to the overwhelm If you want to lead with clarity, confidence, and care, and create impact that lasts, this episode is one to share with your whole leadership team. ABOUT YOUR HOST Dr William DeJean is the founder and CEO of Unleash Learning and the host of Unleash Learning TV and radio. With 25 years in education, a doctorate in education, and three books under his belt, William is passionate about helping schools make learning stick for everyone. SAY HI TO US HERE Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/unleashlearning/  [https://www.facebook.com/unleashlearning/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unleash.learning/  [https://www.instagram.com/unleash.learning/] X: https://x.com/unleash_learning  [https://x.com/unleash_learning] GRAB FREE RESOURCES Free eBooks: https://unleash-learning.com/free-ebook/  [https://unleash-learning.com/free-ebook/] School Leaders Free Workbook: https://unleash-learning.com/2024/09/6-leadership-team-questions-to-ask-about-teaching-learning-across-your-school/  [https://unleash-learning.com/2024/09/6-leadership-team-questions-to-ask-about-teaching-learning-across-your-school/] School Leaders’ Free Info Kit: https://unleash-learning.com/in-your-school/#next-steps  [https://unleash-learning.com/in-your-school/#next-steps] Team Leaders’ Free Info Kit: https://unleash-learning.com/unleash-learning-for-business/#next-steps  [https://unleash-learning.com/unleash-learning-for-business/#next-steps] GRAB HIS NEW BOOK HERE https://unleash-learning.com/a-new-way-forward-for-schools/  [https://unleash-learning.com/a-new-way-forward-for-schools/] Like the episode? Help us spread the word by leaving a review — it helps us support more schools and leadership teams to make learning stick for everyone.