In this episode of Beat Teacher Burnout, I’m joined by Paul Collin, a former head teacher with over 25 years in education, for a really honest conversation about something many of us experience but don’t always name…running on adrenaline.

We explore what it means to show up every day in schools, even when we’re carrying stress behind the scenes. As teachers and leaders,we often feel we have to keep going, keep performing, and keep supporting everyone else, no matter how we’re actually feeling.

One idea that really stands out in this episode is what we describe as quiet erosion. We talk about the image of the White Cliffs of Dover, slowly wearing away over time. And in many ways, that’s what burnout can look like. It doesn’t always happen all at once. It builds gradually, through constant pressure, unspoken stress, and the expectation to always be “on.”

We also reflect on how different school cultures shape our experience. We’ve both seen environments where pressure feels relentless, where expectations are compressed and people feel constantly stretched. But we’ve also seen what happens when trust builds, when people feel heard, and when the culture begins to shift in a more supportive direction.

Paul shares what leadership really feels like behind the scenes: the unpredictability, the constant decision-making, and those moments where adrenaline takes over just to get through the day. And while that can help us cope in the moment, we also recognise the longer-term impact it can have.

We spend time talking about something many of us wrestle with: are we good enough? When our days are filled with challenges, complaints, and things going wrong, it’s easy to measure ourselves against those moments rather than the difference we’re actually making.

Importantly, we also talk about how we begin to step back before things reach a breaking point. For us, that starts with noticing. It’s about grounding ourselves, creating moments of pause, and finding people we trust to talk things through with.

At its core, this episode is about recognising that burnout isn’t always obvious. Sometimes it’s quiet, gradual and easy to ignore…until it catches up with us.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode

• Why we often rely on adrenaline to get through the school day
• How different school cultures shape our experience of stress
• What “quiet erosion” of burnout looks like over time
• The hidden emotional load we carry as teachers and leaders
• Why so many of us question whether we’re “good enough”
• How constant pressure and unpredictability impact us

Key Message

Burnout doesn’t always come from not caring.Often, it comes from caring deeply, for a long time, without enough space to pause.

When we give ourselves permission to step back, to talk and to reflect, we begin to protect not just our wellbeing, but our ability to keep doing the work that matters to us.

Connect with Paul Collin

Website : develop2teach.com/insights-with-paul

Instagram : @develop2teach

LinkedIn: Paul Collin

Follow Rowena:

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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rowenaphicks

Website: www.rowenahicks.com

—

Subscribe to the Beat Teacher Burnout Podcast 🎧

New episodes drop fortnightly to help you reduce stress, prevent burnout, and lead with clarity and energy.

Listen here:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2unYCtcA81Qi5coaLZ22H1

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beat-teacher-burnout/id1731803571

—

Looking for Rowena’s books?Explore all books here:www.rowenahicks.com/books

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If you’re ready for gentle, practical support that fits into real school life, explore my courses here:👉www.rowenahicks.com/courses

In this episode of Beat Teacher Burnout, I’m joined by Becky Dawson, National Wellbeing Lead at Twinkl, for an honest conversation about how a passion for teaching can slowly turn into overwhelm.

Becky shares her journey from classroom teaching into the demanding role of SENCO, a position that is both deeply meaningful and incredibly heavy. Supporting students, staff and families all at once, often without time to reflect, can quietly build into burnout.

What stands out is a tension many educators feel: loving the work and seeing the impact, yet carrying pressure that becomes unsustainable. Becky describes this period as both the best and the hardest of her career, a time of growth, but also where burnout became unavoidable.

Together, we explore why this happens. Not just because the job is demanding, but because of the culture around it, constant doing, high expectations, and little space to pause. Becky highlights the importance of reflection, not as an extra task, but as part of everyday practice. Even small moments to acknowledge what’s been hard can make a real difference.

We also discuss how burnout affects confidence, and how the things that go wrong often linger more than the wins. Sometimes, it’s not about doing more, but recognising that the system itself asks too much.

Becky shares simple, realistic ways to protect your wellbeing, building connections, creating space to reflect, setting boundaries, and even keeping a “to-da list” to recognise what you’ve already achieved.

At its core, this episode is about reclaiming balance. Passion doesn’t have to lead to burnout, but without support, boundaries and reflection, it often does. And the most important reminder: you’re not failing, you’re navigating a system that often asks too much.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode

• Why roles like SENCO can feel both rewarding and overwhelming
• How burnout builds slowly, even when you love your job
• The impact of constant pressure on confidence and self-belief
• Why reflection is missing in many school cultures
• How connection and shared experiences reduce isolation
• The importance of recognising what you’ve done, not just what’s left
• Why boundaries are essential (and what happens without them)
• How to spot when passion is starting to fade

Key Message

Burnout doesn’t happen because you don’t care.It often happens because you care too much, for too long, without the support you need.

When we create space to reflect, connect with others,and set clear boundaries around our time and energy,we give ourselves a chance to keep doing the work we love,without losing ourselves in the process.

Connect with Becky Dawson:

Website : www.beckydawsonccf.com

Instagram : www.instagram.com/becsdawson

Follow Rowena:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/rowenaphicks

Facebook: www.facebook.com/people/Teach-Flourish-Thrive-Beat-Teacher-Burnout/61552987182926

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rowenaphicks

Website: www.rowenahicks.com

—

Subscribe to the Beat Teacher Burnout Podcast 🎧

New episodes drop fortnightly to help you reduce stress, prevent burnout, and lead with clarity and energy.

Listen here:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2unYCtcA81Qi5coaLZ22H1

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beat-teacher-burnout/id1731803571

—

Looking for Rowena’s books?Explore all books here:www.rowenahicks.com/books

Buy on Amazon:https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0D2JJGG3T?ref=cm_sw_r_apin_dp_4SZ8663Z8DRGAT03NZA8&ref_=cm_sw_r_apin_dp_4SZ8663Z8DRGAT03NZA8&language=en-GB&skipTwisterOG=2

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If you’re ready for gentle, practical support that fits into real school life, explore my courses here:👉www.rowenahicks.com/courses

In this episode of Beat Teacher Burnout, I’m joined by Sue Lee and Tessa Hawes to explore what it really means to look after ourselves in high pressure environments.

This conversation goes beyond stress. It’s about the responsibility we often overlook, caring for ourselves in the middle of busy, demanding lives. When we constantly give without refilling our energy, it takes its toll.

Sue shares honest reflections from years in leadership, balancing career, family and constant pressure. Her story shows how easy it is to slip into urgency, where you keep going but slowly lose connection with yourself. Managing yourself isn’t an extra, it’s essential to leading and supporting others well.

Tessa shares a powerful turning point that made her rethink how she was living and working. After years of juggling a fast paced career and motherhood, she realised something needed to change. She began building simple daily practices that helped her regain calm, clarity and control. Her message is clear, wellbeing starts with small, consistent actions.

We explore how habits like journaling, gratitude and mindful mornings create meaningful, long term change. It’s not about perfect routines, but simple practices that fit real lives.

A key theme is culture and connection. Having people who notice when you’re not okay, who encourage you to slow down and stay on track, makes a difference.

We also reflect on how difficult it can be to recognise our own strengths. Without that awareness, it’s harder to sustain motivation, confidence and purpose.

At its heart, this episode reminds us that wellbeing isn’t separate from our work, it’s what allows us to do it well.

You cannot pour from an empty cup. But when you refill it, even in small ways, the impact goes far beyond you.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode

• How personal wellbeing influences leadership, performance and team culture
• Why constant busyness disconnects us from ourselves
• How small, consistent habits create lasting change
• What it means to prioritise yourself without guilt
• The importance of a supportive network
• Why many professionals struggle to recognise their strengths
• How mindset, language and reflection shape daily experience
• Why simple practices like journaling and gratitude are powerful

Key Message

Wellbeing is not something we add in when we have time. It is something we build into the way we live and work every day.

Through small, intentional actions, honest reflection and supportive relationships, we can create a way of working that feels sustainable, not exhausting.

Because when we take care of ourselves, we show up better for everyone else.

Connect with Morton Michel:

Website : www.mortonmichel.com

Instagram : www.instagram.com/mortonmichelinsurance

Linkedin : www.linkedin.com/company/morton-michel-insurance

Connect with minime mindfulness:

Website : minimemindfulness.co.uk

Facebook : www.facebook.com/minimemindfulness

Instagram : www.instagram.com/minimemindfulness

Linkedin : www.linkedin.com/company/minimemindfulness

Follow Rowena:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/rowenaphicks

Facebook: www.facebook.com/people/Teach-Flourish-Thrive-Beat-Teacher-Burnout/61552987182926

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/rowenaphicks

Website:www.rowenahicks.com

—

Subscribe to the Beat Teacher Burnout Podcast

🎧New episodes drop fortnightly to help you reduce stress, prevent burnout, and lead with clarity and energy.

Listen here:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2unYCtcA81Qi5coaLZ22H1

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beat-teacher-burnout/id1731803571

—

Looking for Rowena’s books?Explore all books here:www.rowenahicks.com/books

Buy on Amazon:https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0D2JJGG3T?ref=cm_sw_r_apin_dp_4SZ8663Z8DRGAT03NZA8&ref_=cm_sw_r_apin_dp_4SZ8663Z8DRGAT03NZA8&language=en-GB&skipTwisterOG=2

—

If you’re ready for gentle, practical support that fits into real school life, explore my courses here:👉www.rowenahicks.com/courses

In this episode of Beat Teacher Burnout, I’m joined by four members of the central team from Manor Hall Academy Trust to explore what it takes to build a thriving school culture.

I speak with Philip Harrison (CEO), alongside Kate, Kelly and Laura, as they share honest reflections and practical examples of how their trust has created an environment where staff feel valued, heard and supported. At the heart of the conversation is a simple belief: when people feel they belong, they can learn, grow and flourish.

We challenge the idea that positive school cultures happen by chance, highlighting that connection, trust and psychological safety require deliberate, consistent leadership. Their shared values that everyone belongs, learns and grows are not just words, but lived experiences shaping decisions, relationships and everyday practice.

A clear theme is putting people before processes. From welcoming others warmly to encouraging openness and peer support, the focus stays on treating staff as human beings first. We also explore how leaders who model balance, vulnerability and authenticity help shift away from cultures of overwork and silent pressure.

While recognising accountability pressures and workload, we discuss how leadership choices and systems can actively protect wellbeing. A strong focus is placed on prevention, investing in relationships and creating safe spaces for honest conversations.

Ultimately, this episode shows that culture is built in everyday moments and reinforces a simple truth: when staff thrive, pupils thrive too.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode

• How clear, shared values can shape decisions and build a genuine sense of belonging
• Ways to intentionally develop psychological safety through consistent leadership and open dialogue
• Why small human moments such as warmth, humour and connection transform the workplace
• How leaders can model healthy work life balance and challenge cultures that glorify overwork
• The importance of a proactive approach to wellbeing, focusing on prevention over crisis
• How cross-team networks create safe spaces for conversation, shared experience and support
• What trust-led leadership looks like when autonomy and outcomes are prioritised
• How to navigate external pressures by reframing accountability and reducing stress
• The role of storytelling and recognising individuality in strengthening connection

Key Message

Thriving school cultures do not happen by accident.

They are built through deliberate choices, consistent actions and a deep commitment to seeing people as human beings.

When we create environments rooted in trust, belonging and psychological safety, staff are more likely to stay and flourish.

And when staff flourish, the impact on pupils is profound.

Because sustainable education systems are built on people.

Connect with Manor Hall Trust:

Website : https://manorhall.academy

Facebook : www.facebook.com/people/Manor-Hall-Academy-Trust/61553427158973/

Instagram : www.instagram.com/manorhall.academy.trust

Linkedin : www.linkedin.com/company/manor-hall-academy-trust/

Follow Rowena:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/rowenaphicks

Facebook: www.facebook.com/people/Teach-Flourish-Thrive-Beat-Teacher-Burnout/61552987182926

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/rowenaphicks

Website: www.rowenahicks.com

Subscribe to the Beat Teacher Burnout Podcast 🎧New episodes drop fortnightly to help you reduce stress, prevent burnout and lead with clarity and energy.

Listen here:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2unYCtcA81Qi5coaLZ22H1

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beat-teacher-burnout/id1731803571

Looking for Rowena’s books?

Explore all books here: www.rowenahicks.com/books

Buy on Amazon: www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0D2JJGG3T?ref=cm_sw_r_apin_dp_4SZ8663Z8DRGAT03NZA8&ref_=cm_sw_r_apin_dp_4SZ8663Z8DRGAT03NZA8&language=en-GB&skipTwisterOG=2

If you’re ready for gentle, practical support that fits into real school life, explore my courses here:

👉 www.rowenahicks.com/courses

In this honest and reflective episode of Beat Teacher Burnout, I’m joined by education leader, coach and author Sarah Hussey to explore the hidden cost of caring deeply in school leadership.

Sarah shares her journey in education, from beginning her career in the 1990s to becoming a headteacher committed to building a school culture based on compassion, trust and belonging. But alongside the passion for her work came growing pressure that many school leaders will recognise.

The increasing demands of leadership, accountability systems and the emotional responsibility of supporting staff, pupils and families gradually began to take their toll. What started as exhaustion and rising stress eventually led to serious cardiac health events that forced Sarah to step away from the role she loved.

This conversation isn’t about blaming education. Instead, it explores the human cost that can arise when compassionate leaders carry too much responsibility for too long.

We talk openly about the emotional impact of leaving leadership due to burnout, the feelings of guilt and shame many educators experience, and the loss of identity that can follow when a role that once defined you suddenly ends.

But this episode is also about hope.

Sarah now supports teachers and school leaders to recognise the warning signs earlier, protect their wellbeing and continue leading with compassion without sacrificing their health.

If you’re a teacher or school leader who cares deeply about your work and sometimes feels the weight of that responsibility, this conversation is for you.

Because compassionate leadership is powerful but without boundaries, it can become unsustainable.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode

• Why burnout in education often develops slowly over time
• The impact of accountability and inspection pressures on leaders
• How prolonged stress can affect physical health
• Why many educators feel shame when burnout forces them to step away
• What compassion fatigue looks like in caring professions
• The importance of boundaries in school leadership
• How communication expectations changed after the pandemic
• Why small moments of appreciation can transform school culture
• The importance of redefining what “good enough” leadership really means

Key Message

Burnout doesn’t happen because you are weak.

It often happens because you cared deeply, gave generously and carried responsibility for too long without the support and recovery leadership requires.

Compassion is one of the greatest strengths a leader can have.

But sustainable leadership means extending that compassion to yourself as well.

Connect with Sarah Hussey:

Website: www.possibilitiesandperspectives.co.uk

Instagram: www.instagram.com/possibilitiesandperspective

Follow Rowena:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/rowenaphicks/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/people/Teach-Flourish-Thrive-Beat-Teacher-Burnout/61552987182926/

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/rowenaphicks/

Website: www.rowenahicks.com/

—

Subscribe to the Beat Teacher Burnout Podcast 🎧

New episodes drop fortnightly to help you reduce stress, prevent burnout, and lead with clarity and energy.

Listen here:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2unYCtcA81Qi5coaLZ22H1

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beat-teacher-burnout/id1731803571

Youtube: www.youtube.com/@AuthorRowenaHicks/

—

Looking for Rowena’s books?Explore all books here:www.rowenahicks.com/books

Buy on Amazon: www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0D2JJGG3T?ref=cm_sw_r_apin_dp_4SZ8663Z8DRGAT03NZA8&ref_=cm_sw_r_apin_dp_4SZ8663Z8DRGAT03NZA8&language=en-GB&skipTwisterOG=2

—

If you’re ready for gentle, practical support that fits into real school life, explore my courses here:👉www.rowenahicks.com/courses

In this practical and thought-provoking episode of Beat Teacher Burnout, I’m joined by wellbeing consultant, author and former international principal Helen Kelly to explore one of the most significant yet overlooked drivers of burnout in education: the inability to properly switch off.

We move beyond surface-level wellbeing advice and examine the neuroscience, psychology and leadership impact of psychological detachment from work.

Helen shares findings from her survey of more than 500 school leaders, and the data is sobering. Only 14% regularly switch off in the evenings. Nearly half ruminate about work outside working hours. Many struggle to relax and feel guilty prioritising their own needs.

Together, we explore why switching off is not indulgent or optional. It is essential for physical health, emotional regulation, sound decision-making, creativity and school culture. When leaders cannot switch off, the impact cascades.

Helen introduces her PAUSE model, offering practical, research-informed micro-repairs that are small, realistic and sustainable.

This episode is for teachers and leaders who lie awake replaying conversations, check emails before they’re fully awake, and want to feel energised rather than depleted.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode

• Why switching off regulates your hormonal stress response and strengthens resilience
• How emotional contagion means your mood influences your whole school community
• Why burnout is an erosion, not an explosion
• The structural barriers within education that make switching off more difficult
• Why micro-breaks of even 40 seconds make a measurable difference
• How beginning your day with non-work thoughts protects your mindset
• Practical ways to create clearer boundaries around digital communication
• Why rumination keeps your nervous system activated
• Techniques to interrupt overthinking, including structured task lists and intentional self-talk
• The difference between family support and professional coaching
• Why leadership effectiveness improves when wellbeing is safeguarded

The PAUSE Model

P – Protect Time Build micro-breaks into your day. Small resets reduce the need for longer recovery later.

A – Anchor Your Day Create intentional start- and end-of-day rituals to strengthen work-home boundaries.

U – Unplug Reduce constant accessibility and set clear expectations around digital communication.

S – Still the Mind Use practical tools to reduce rumination and calm cognitive overload.

E – Emotional Support Access coaching, supervision or professional support. Leaders need support too.

Key Message

Switching off isn’t selfish. It’s strategic.

Burnout isn’t prevented by one long holiday, but by small, consistent repairs.

Sustainable leadership isn’t endurance, it’s intentional recovery.

If you want clarity and energy, it starts with learning how to truly detach.

Pause. Reset. Protect the human as well as the leader.

Connect with Helen Kelly:

LinkedIn: Dr. Helen Kelly

Follow Rowena:

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/rowenaphicks

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Teach-Flourish-Thrive-Beat-Teacher-Burnout/61552987182926

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rowena-hicks444

Website: https://www.rowenahicks.com

Subscribe to the Beat Teacher Burnout Podcast 🎧

New episodes drop fortnightly to help you reduce stress, prevent burnout, and lead with clarity and energy.

Listen here:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2unYCtcA81Qi5coaLZ22H1

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beat-teacher-burnout/id1731803571

—

Looking for Rowena’s books?

Explore all books here:https://www.rowenahicks.com/books

Buy on Amazon:https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0D2JJGG3T?ref=cm_sw_r_apin_dp_4SZ8663Z8DRGAT03NZA8&ref_=cm_sw_r_apin_dp_4SZ8663Z8DRGAT03NZA8&language=en-GB&skipTwisterOG=2

—

If you’re ready for gentle, practical support that fits into real school life, explore my courses here:

👉https://www.rowenahicks.com/courses

In this honest and deeply reassuring episode of Beat Teacher Burnout, I’m joined by Greg Bookman, an education recruiter with over 20 years’ experience and a rare, people-first approach to leadership recruitment and retention.

Rather than focusing on roles, hierarchies or career ladders, this conversation centres on well-being, identity and humanity in education. Greg shares what he sees behind the scenes when leaders and teachers reach breaking point and why so many capable, committed people are quietly considering leaving the profession altogether.

We talk about burnout not as a weakness, but as a signal, one that often appears when people have lost sight of who they are, what they value and where they truly belong. Greg brings a compassionate and hopeful perspective, reminding us that education is not broken everywhere and that there are schools and trusts where people can thrive without sacrificing their health.

This episode speaks directly to leaders and educators who feel exhausted, disillusioned or stuck, especially those questioning whether they can keep going, but still care deeply about the work they do.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode

• Why treating educators as people, not job titles, is key to retention
• How post-COVID shifts have changed what leaders need from work
• What burnout really does to confidence, identity and self-belief
• What to say to yourself when you’re on survival mode and ready to quit
• How school culture and values impact well-being more than workload alone
• Why appreciation and shared effort matter more than money
• The fear and grief that often sit underneath thoughts of leaving education
• How reconnecting with your “why” can restore clarity and confidence
• Why reflection and self-awareness are protections against burnout
• The danger of suppressing your values in order to fit a role
• How finding the right school can change everything without leaving education
• Why staying silent and doing nothing is often the most damaging choice

Key Message

You are not broken.

Burnout is not the end.

And leaving education is not the only option.

Many educators burn out not because they don’t care enough, but because they care too much in environments that no longer allow them to be themselves. Confidence can be rebuilt. Purpose can be rediscovered. And with the right support, reflection and relationships, it is possible to find a role and a culture where you can thrive again.

This episode is an invitation to pause, reflect, and remember who you are beneath the pressure. To seek connection rather than isolation. And to believe that staying in education well is possible.

Connect with Greg Bookman

LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/greg-bookman

Would you like to talk about coaching options? 1:1 sessions or group? Book a call here: https://calendly.com/rowenaphicks/30min

Follow me on:

1. Instagram: @rowenaphicks

2. Facebook: Rowena Hicks

3. Linked In: Rowena Hicks

Email me: [email protected] 

Visit my website for Books, Journals, Free Community and lots of other interesting stuff: www.rowenahicks.com

In this thoughtful and deeply human episode of Beat Teacher Burnout, I’m joined by Dame Alison Peacock former headteacher and founding CEO of the Chartered College of Teaching to explore the realities of school leadership that are rarely spoken about openly.

Alison describes headship as “both impossible and delightful,” a phrase that captures the tension so many leaders live with every day. Together, we reflect on the unpredictability of leadership, the emotional load leaders carry and the pressure created by inspection, accountability and constant readiness.

This conversation moves beyond systems and structures and centres on people. We talk honestly about isolation in leadership, the myth of the heroic leader and how cultures of trust, collaboration and creativity are not optional extras; they are protective factors against burnout.

Alison shares powerful reflections from her own headship, including leading a school in special measures, and how shifting from control to emancipating teachers rebuilt agency, energy and collective purpose.

This episode is for school leaders, teachers and anyone in education who is holding responsibility alongside care and wondering how to do that without losing themselves in the process.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode

• Why school leadership feels both deeply rewarding and relentlessly demanding
• The impact of constant unpredictability and emotional readiness on leaders
• How inspection and accountability quietly shape leadership behaviour
• Why anchoring leadership to a nobler purpose changes everything
• The hidden isolation many leaders experience and why it matters
• Why leadership is not about being the hero, but enabling others
• What “emancipating teachers” looks like in practice
• How burnout begins with feeling unseen, unheard and disconnected
• Why valuing staff wellbeing is essential, not “soft” leadership
• How creativity protects against burnout and restores professional trust
• Why school culture is shaped in small, everyday moments
• What sustainable leadership really requires beyond endurance

Key Message

Leadership is not meant to be carried alone.

Burnout is not a personal failure.

Endurance is not the same as sustainability.

When leadership is rooted in humanity, creativity and shared purpose, it becomes possible to protect both people and outcomes. The tension between heavy and hopeful, impossible and delightful, is not a sign that something is wrong, it is the reality of leading well.

This episode is an invitation to lead with intention, connection and courage and to remember that how we lead matters just as much as what we lead.

Connect with Dame Alison Peacock:

LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/dame-alison-peacock-dl-dlitt-7b996b24

Would you like to talk about coaching options? 1:1 sessions or group? Book a call here: https://calendly.com/rowenaphicks/30min

Follow me on:

1. Instagram: @rowenaphicks

2. Facebook: Rowena Hicks

3. Linked In: Rowena Hicks

Email me: [email protected] 

Visit my website for Books, Journals, Free Community and lots of other interesting stuff: www.rowenahicks.com

In this episode of Beat Teacher Burnout, I’m joined by Bob Benson, a former secondary headteacher and now coach and consultant, to explore a deeply embedded belief in education: that strong leadership means pushing through, coping silentlyand toughing it out.

Drawing on lived experience, Bob reflects on the pressures of headship and how ongoing stress can quietly change who we are, pulling us away from the kindness and values that brought us into education.

Together, we unpack the realities of school life, constant reactivity, emotional labour and long hours and question the idea that being busy or visible equals being effective.

We also explore emotional honesty in leadership, the balance between vulnerability and oversharing and practical ways leaders can protect their wellbeing and model healthier boundaries.

In this conversation, we explore:

• Why “toughing it out” is often confused with strength in education
• How leadership pressure can quietly reshape behaviour and identity
• The impact of stress on empathy, kindness, and decision-making
• Why emotional intelligence becomes harder but more vital in busy schools
• The difference between being busy and being effective
• How leaders can model healthier ways of working without guilt
• Why sustainable leadership matters for the future of the profession

Key Message

Toughing it out is not what makes leaders strong.Self-awareness, kindness and courageous boundary-setting are what sustain people and schools over time.

If you’re a leader or teacher feeling the pressure to keep going at all costs, this episode offers reassurance that doing things differently isn't a weakness, it's leadership.

Connect with Bob Benson:

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/bob-benson1educator.

Follow me on:

1. Instagram: @rowenaphicks

2. Facebook: Rowena Hicks

3. Linked In: Rowena Hicks

Email me: [email protected] 

Visit my website for Books, Journals, Free Community and lots of other interesting stuff: www.rowenahicks.com

In this reflective and honest solo episode of Beat Teacher Burnout, I talk openly about vulnerability, near-burnout, and what it has taken for me to finally slow down as 2025 comes to an end.

Inspired by Brené Brown’s work on vulnerability as courage, this episode explores how even positive things like building a business, publishing a book, pursuing passion projects can quietly push us back into old patterns of overworking, people-pleasing, and trying to prove our worth. I share how recognising those patterns early helped me step back before burning out again.

This episode is for teachers, leaders and anyone who feels driven to keep going, even when their body and mind are asking them to stop.
What You’ll Hear in This Episode

• Why vulnerability is not weakness, but a form of courage
• How passion and purpose can still lead to burnout if we ignore our limits
• The warning signs that show up when old habits return
• Why rest is more than sleep and what real rest actually looks like
• How learning to truly switch your brain off creates clarity and creativity
• Why prioritising yourself isn’t selfish, even when it feels uncomfortable
• The role of boundaries, saying no, and protecting your energy
• How imposter syndrome and the need to prove ourselves keep us stuck
• Why finding safe people and places matters more than ever
• How small, intentional positives help us and our teams thrive

Key Message

You don’t need to keep proving yourself to be worthy.

Rest is not failure.

Vulnerability is not weakness.

When we slow down, listen to ourselves, and choose to do things differently, we protect our wellbeing and create the conditions to show up with greater clarity, compassion

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