Early Education Leadership

One of the most powerful messages I took away from Jefferson Fisher’s conversation wasn’t about finding the perfect words.

It was about what happens before we speak.

His advice was simple:

Breathe.
Think.
Speak.

It sounds almost too simple, yet in the middle of a difficult conversation, it can change everything.

That single breath creates space.

Space to notice what is happening within us.

Space to choose our words rather than allowing pressure to choose them for us.

Space to become curious instead of defensive.

This is something I have been teaching and practising with early childhood leaders for many years.

Whether it is a conversation with an educator, a family member, a colleague or another leader, the quality of what comes next is often shaped by the few seconds before we begin speaking.

Here is a practical approach you can try today:

🌿 Breathe – Take one slow breath. Feel your feet on the floor or notice the chair supporting you.

🌿 Notice – Ask yourself, “How am I arriving in this conversation?” There is no judgement, simply awareness.

🌿 Choose – Consider what outcome you want to create. Do you want to be right, or do you want to build understanding, trust and a way forward together?

🌿 Speak – Begin with curiosity. Questions such as “Help me understand your perspective” or “Tell me more about what you’re seeing” create space for thinking together.

In leadership, our words matter.

The state we bring into the conversation matters just as much.

A single breath will not solve every challenge, yet it can be the difference between reacting to pressure and responding with intention.

Sometimes the most influential leadership practice takes less than ten seconds.

There are some evenings that stay with you long after you walk out the door.

Last night, I had the pleasure of seeing Fisher at the Sydney Opera House, thanks to the most generous thank-you gift from Emma Cullen. Emma was sadly unable to join us, but her thoughtful gift created such a memorable evening and was deeply appreciated.

Jefferson was every bit as insightful, practical and entertaining as I had hoped. His fast wit, memorable metaphors and ability to turn everyday conversations into powerful learning moments made for an incredible evening.

Two takeaways have stayed with me.

When someone responds to your hurt with:

“I’m sorry you feel that way.”

Jefferson suggested a response that brings the conversation back to accountability:

“You don’t have to apologise for the way I feel, but I would appreciate an apology for what you said.”

It is calm, respectful and clear. It keeps the focus on the words that created the impact rather than inviting debate about your feelings.

Another gem was how to respond when someone shares a perspective you disagree with:

“I’ve not thought about it like that.”

Such a simple sentence. It acknowledges the other person’s perspective without requiring agreement and allows the conversation to rest there.

As someone who spends so much of my work helping leaders build trust through communication, I loved seeing how small changes in language can completely shift the direction of a conversation.

Sharing dinner beforehand with my dear friend and work colleague on such a breathtaking Sydney night was the icing on the cake.

Some of the most valuable professional learning gives us language we can carry into the conversations we have the very next day.

Thank you, Jefferson, for an evening filled with wisdom, laughter and practical communication tools.

And thank you, Emma, for such a generous and thoughtful gift.

Who is joining me for my free masterclass, The Power of Beliefs and Your Leadership Style in Early Childhood?

This is one of my favourite leadership conversations because our beliefs shape so much of how we lead, communicate, make decisions and respond when things feel challenging.

Many of these beliefs sit beneath the surface. They influence the expectations we place on ourselves, the confidence we bring to our role and what we believe is possible for us, our teams and our services.

During this masterclass, we will explore how your beliefs may be shaping your leadership style and how greater awareness can create more choice, confidence and positive impact.

I would love to see you there.

Register through the link below:

The Power of Beliefs & Your Leadership Style | Early Education The way you lead is shaped by what you believe — about yourself, your team, and what leadership is supposed to look like. This free masterclass explores how to identify the beliefs driving your leadership style and how to shift the ones that are holding you back.

For close to a decade, I have been working with early childhood leaders to strengthen their capacity for self-regulation and to understand the influence it has on their leadership, their relationships, their teams and the culture they are creating.

For many years, self-regulation in early childhood has been viewed primarily through the lens of children’s learning and development. The sector is now beginning to recognise that it also matters deeply for the adults who lead, make decisions, hold difficult conversations and support others through pressure and change.

That shift matters.

When a leader can recognise what is happening within them, understand how stress may be influencing their thinking and pause before responding, it can change the direction of a conversation.

It can influence whether trust is strengthened, whether an educator feels supported, whether a decision is reactive or considered, and whether a team experiences greater clarity and emotional safety.

Self-regulation does not mean being composed all the time. It begins with compassionate self-awareness and the understanding that we are human. It gives us a greater capacity to notice, reflect and choose how we want to lead in the moments that matter.

Over the past few months, I have had the opportunity to bring this work together with TAFE NSW through the development of Self-regulation for Leaders, a fee-free webinar and Community of Practice session for early childhood leaders.

Creating this learning has been a heartfelt experience because I know how needed it is. Leaders across the sector are carrying significant responsibility while navigating workforce pressures, complexity, change and increasing emotional demands. Supporting their wellbeing and leadership capacity needs to become a priority.

It is incredibly meaningful to see this work reaching a wider audience through the TAFE NSW ECEC Professional Learning Program, with access for leaders across metropolitan, regional and remote communities.

The webinar will be held online on Thursday 23 July 2026, from 12:00–12:55 pm, followed by an optional Community of Practice discussion from 1:05–1:30 pm. Eligibility criteria may apply.

I would love to see early childhood leaders from across NSW join us.

Please share the flyer with someone who may value this learning.

I love it when things land in my thinking and everything feels aligned and then the universe gives me the ultimate thumbs up 🌈

🌱 When your leaders lead, your whole service grows.

We'd love to invite you to a FREE online information session this Wednesday all about the Dandelion Program, our leadership development program for room leaders and educational leaders.

If you've ever wanted to feel more confident in your role, lead your team with more clarity and care, and connect with others who understand the realities of our sector, this is for you. 💛

In the session we'll share what the program is all about, who it's for, and how it could support you or someone on your team, plus plenty of space for your questions.

Can't join live?

No problem, register and we'll send you the recording. 🎥

✨ Save your spot here:

https://www.earlyeducationleadership.com/event-details/when-your-leaders-lead-free-online-information-session-for-early-childhood-directors

I'm excited to be joining the Hunter Regional ECA Conversations Evening this month to share a topic that sits at the heart of leadership.

That Question Again? I Don't Know (and Other Powerful Things Leaders Can Say)

As leaders, we often feel pressure to have the answers. Yet some of the most powerful leadership moments come from curiosity, openness, and a willingness to explore together.

In this one-hour keynote, we'll look at how the conversations we have shape trust, relationships, culture, and ultimately the experience of the people we lead. Drawing on the neuroscience of communication and my work with early childhood leaders across Australia, I'll share practical insights that can help us navigate conversations with greater confidence, connection, and authenticity.

If you've ever found yourself carrying the weight of leadership, managing competing expectations, or wondering how to have conversations that create stronger teams, this session is for you.

📅 Thursday 18 June 2026
⏰ 5:30pm arrival for a 6:00pm–7:00pm session
📍 TAFE Glendale Campus, N Block

Thank you to the Hunter Regional Committee of Early Childhood Australia for the invitation. I'm looking forward to connecting with leaders, educators, and professionals from across the region.

I look forward to seeing some familiar faces!

There is something deeply affirming about seeing science begin to explore what many people, cultures, and relational practices have understood for generations, that the heart is more than simply a physical pump.

This article from the HeartMath Institute explores emerging research around the heart–brain connection and the ways our emotional states influence clarity, connection, decision-making, and wellbeing.

It invites an important reflection for leaders, educators, and anyone working in deeply relational spaces: what if the quality of our internal state shapes far more than we realise?

While some areas of HeartMath’s work continue to generate debate within scientific communities, the broader exploration of heart–brain communication, emotional regulation, and coherence offers valuable insight into human connection and leadership practice.

The Heart Was Talking All Along – Science Finally Listened | HeartMath Institute For most of modern history, scientists treated the heart as just a pump. Smart, sure. Essential, absolutely. But a source of intelligence? Of emotion? Of learning? That idea was dismissed — sometimes openly ridiculed — for decades.

Think about the last time you walked into work already running on empty.

A difficult conversation the day before. A poor night's sleep. An important email sitting in your inbox that you hadn't answered yet.

By the time you arrived, you are already feeling stretched and the day hadn't even started.

If that lands, this free masterclass is for you.

📍 Taking Back the Room: Leading From a Regulated State
🗓 Thursday 21 May 2026
⏰ 10:00 – 11:00 AM AEST
💻 Online

In one hour, I'll walk you through:

• What's actually happening in your brain and body when stress pushes you out of your window of tolerance
• Why your reactions under pressure are biology, not character flaws
• A practical five-step model you can start using the same day to pause, reorient, and respond with intention

This session is for educational leaders, room leaders, directors, and centre managers who are tired of reacting rather than responding and who are ready to build a steadier, more regulated presence in their service.

It's free. It's live. And it's interactive, so bring your questions.

Register here 👇

https://www.earlyeducationleadership.com/event-details/taking-back-the-room-leading-from-a-regulated-state

Taking Back the Room: Leading from a Regulated State | Early Education When you are dysregulated, everyone in the room feels it. This free masterclass explores the neuroscience of self-regulation and gives you practical tools to recognise your stress response early and lead from a calmer, more connected place.