100. How to lead by being on their side - with Andrea Morton (Paul’s mum)

This is a special episode—it's me chatting with my Mum. I've learned a lot about leadership over the years, but it’s humbling to sit down with the person who taught me first and most. My Mum, Andrea Morton, spent decades as a headteacher, leading schools through everything from petrol bombs and staff conflicts to building community pride from scratch.

Throughout our conversation, I was delighted that one idea kept shining through: great leaders like my Mother are simply on their people's side. It's not complicated. It's genuine care and support, small gestures that build trust, and stepping up to clean the school yourself when needed. Her stories aren't flashy, they're real and practical. Leadership, according to Mum, isn’t about ego. She says it’s about service.

Here are three big lessons she shares here about "being on their side":

• Serve first, lead second: Leadership isn’t about authority - it's about helping your team succeed. Mum started with simple things like improving the staffroom, making sure teachers had what they needed. It showed she genuinely cared.

• Deal with trouble early: When there's a problem, waiting won't fix it. Mum tackled tough situations fast, protecting her team's morale. She never let issues linger, knowing it would only make things worse.

• Build something together: People feel connected when they're part of building something meaningful. Mum involved teachers, kids, and even parents in designing uniforms and shaping the school's identity. It gave everyone pride and belonging.

This is probably the most personal episode I've done. It's my Mum’s wisdom, but it's for anyone who wants to lead with heart, humility, and genuine care.

I hope you enjoy this 100th episode - and if you find value in it, please rate, share, and review. It helps more people find conversations like this one.