Sign up to save your podcasts
Or
Share EP6 - The courage to take a different vantage point
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Or
EP6 - The courage to take a different vantage point
In this episode, Joshua and Angela explore the metaphor of the spiral staircase to rethink how we experience learning and leadership growth. Angela shares insights from her 15-year journey in primary education and leadership—culminating in her role as deputy head during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic—and recounts a powerful mentoring anecdote that illustrates how reflection, perspective and implementation drive deeper progress each time we revisit familiar challenges.
⏱️ Timestamps & Highlights
00:00 – 02:00 | Welcome & Introductions
Joshua welcomes Angela, who outlines her 15-year teaching career, leadership roles (phase leader → assistant head → deputy head in 2019–20) and current work mentoring early-career teachers in Lambeth.
02:00 – 05:00 | The Spiral Staircase Metaphor
Linear vs circular views of learning
Spiral staircase: circling back at a higher vantage point
Relevance to life and leadership
05:00 – 14:00 | Core Components of Spiralling Learning
Reflection – Pausing to analyse experiences
Perspective – Adopting a growth-orientated, humble mindset
Implementation – Applying new insights to measure real progress
14:00 – 20:00 | Mentoring Anecdote: A Lesson in Humility
Angela recounts a meeting where she inadvertently spoke over an early-career teacher.
Initial shock, shame and self-doubt
Reflections on intentions versus impact
Perspective shift: modelling humility rather than stepping aside
Implementing new behaviours to rebuild trust
Outcome: a stronger mentorship relationship and broader leadership growth
20:00 – 24:00 | Fixed vs Growth Mindset & the Role of Humility
Joshua highlights how Angela’s story demonstrates:
Moving beyond “I’m just not cut out for this” to “How can I grow?”
Embracing mistakes as invitations to go deeper rather than failures to avoid
24:00 – 28:00 | Practical “Why” Questions for Leaders
Angela suggests reflective prompts to climb the spiral more intentionally:
“Why did this happen?”
“Why was I triggered?”
Exploring underlying beliefs and emotions for richer context
Measuring growth by comparing “what I know now” with “what I knew before”
28:00 – 30:00 | Closing Thoughts & Call to Action
“Learning isn’t about ticking boxes; it’s layering wisdom on wisdom.”
Lean into the spiral when you feel stuck.
Invite listeners to suggest future prompts via LinkedIn.
🎙️ Key Take-Aways
Spiral Staircase Metaphor:
Revisiting challenges isn’t regression—it’s elevation. Each return offers a new vantage for deeper learning.
Three Pillars of Spiralling Learning:
Reflection: Pause and analyse what happened and why.
Perspective: Adopt a growth mindset and humility.
Implementation: Apply new insights to gauge tangible progress.
Humility in Leadership:
True growth often involves confronting shame, reframing mistakes and modelling vulnerability.
Actionable Questions:
Use “why” prompts to uncover root causes and chart next steps:
Why did this happen?
Why did I respond this way?
What can I do differently next time?
Measure Your Growth:
Compare current capabilities with past ones: “What do I know or do now that I couldn’t before?”
🔗 Resources & Connect
Joshua Okunlola (Host):
LinkedIn
Angela Gaisie (Guest):
LinkedIn
Podcast Contact & Feedback:
Share episode prompts or reflections via LinkedIn message to Joshua or Angela.
Lead with curiosity. Embrace the spiral. Take it easy!
View all episodes
By joshuaokunlolaIn this episode, Joshua and Angela explore the metaphor of the spiral staircase to rethink how we experience learning and leadership growth. Angela shares insights from her 15-year journey in primary education and leadership—culminating in her role as deputy head during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic—and recounts a powerful mentoring anecdote that illustrates how reflection, perspective and implementation drive deeper progress each time we revisit familiar challenges.
⏱️ Timestamps & Highlights
00:00 – 02:00 | Welcome & Introductions
Joshua welcomes Angela, who outlines her 15-year teaching career, leadership roles (phase leader → assistant head → deputy head in 2019–20) and current work mentoring early-career teachers in Lambeth.
02:00 – 05:00 | The Spiral Staircase Metaphor
Linear vs circular views of learning
Spiral staircase: circling back at a higher vantage point
Relevance to life and leadership
05:00 – 14:00 | Core Components of Spiralling Learning
Reflection – Pausing to analyse experiences
Perspective – Adopting a growth-orientated, humble mindset
Implementation – Applying new insights to measure real progress
14:00 – 20:00 | Mentoring Anecdote: A Lesson in Humility
Angela recounts a meeting where she inadvertently spoke over an early-career teacher.
Initial shock, shame and self-doubt
Reflections on intentions versus impact
Perspective shift: modelling humility rather than stepping aside
Implementing new behaviours to rebuild trust
Outcome: a stronger mentorship relationship and broader leadership growth
20:00 – 24:00 | Fixed vs Growth Mindset & the Role of Humility
Joshua highlights how Angela’s story demonstrates:
Moving beyond “I’m just not cut out for this” to “How can I grow?”
Embracing mistakes as invitations to go deeper rather than failures to avoid
24:00 – 28:00 | Practical “Why” Questions for Leaders
Angela suggests reflective prompts to climb the spiral more intentionally:
“Why did this happen?”
“Why was I triggered?”
Exploring underlying beliefs and emotions for richer context
Measuring growth by comparing “what I know now” with “what I knew before”
28:00 – 30:00 | Closing Thoughts & Call to Action
“Learning isn’t about ticking boxes; it’s layering wisdom on wisdom.”
Lean into the spiral when you feel stuck.
Invite listeners to suggest future prompts via LinkedIn.
🎙️ Key Take-Aways
Spiral Staircase Metaphor:
Revisiting challenges isn’t regression—it’s elevation. Each return offers a new vantage for deeper learning.
Three Pillars of Spiralling Learning:
Reflection: Pause and analyse what happened and why.
Perspective: Adopt a growth mindset and humility.
Implementation: Apply new insights to gauge tangible progress.
Humility in Leadership:
True growth often involves confronting shame, reframing mistakes and modelling vulnerability.
Actionable Questions:
Use “why” prompts to uncover root causes and chart next steps:
Why did this happen?
Why did I respond this way?
What can I do differently next time?
Measure Your Growth:
Compare current capabilities with past ones: “What do I know or do now that I couldn’t before?”
🔗 Resources & Connect
Joshua Okunlola (Host):
LinkedIn
Angela Gaisie (Guest):
LinkedIn
Podcast Contact & Feedback:
Share episode prompts or reflections via LinkedIn message to Joshua or Angela.
Lead with curiosity. Embrace the spiral. Take it easy!