A principal interview panel, emotional labour you can’t rehearse for, staff who feel powerless, and AI that’s changing how leaders work. In this year’s final episode, Dr Adrian Camm and Teagan Collins take on your toughest questions.

Join in as they:

• Go deeper into principal interview technique, the questions that really distinguish candidates, and how to respond with authenticity rather than polished jargon.

• Explore what can and can’t be taught about the emotional and political labour of principalship – and how aspiring leaders can still prepare.

• Break down daily practices, wellbeing routines and calendar design that help leaders stay effective, visible and human.

• Discuss how Adrian is using AI in his role as principal – from analysis of complex information to a new, more personalised school website – and where he draws the line on AI‑generated comms.

Adrian and Teagan close out 2025 with a conversation that is both thought-provoking and immediately useful, helping you refine your leadership approach and prepare for the challenges and opportunities ahead. 

Want to learn more about our hosts? Connect with them on LinkedIn:

• Dr Adrian Camm: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/adriancamm/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• Teagan Collins:⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/teagan-collins-45699811a/⁠

Show Notes:

Brené Brown – Strong Ground

Julia Baird – Bright Shining and Phosphorescence

Patrick Lencioni – The Ideal Team Player

Viktor E. Frankl – Man’s Search for Meaning

Jane Wilkinson – Practice Matters in Educational Leadership1

How do schools reimagine long held traditions for modern contexts? Dr Adrian Camm and Teagan Collins share the story of Westbourne Grammar’s shift from chapel and chaplaincy to a philosophy led program called Echoes and Dialogues. 

They reveal the tension, stakeholder engagement, and data informed reflection behind this change, and how leadership humility and philosophical dialogue create belonging and critical thinking. 

You’ll learn: 

• How to evaluate which traditions still serve your purpose.

• How to involve staff, students, and families in change.

• Why decoupling religion from wellbeing can open space reflection.

• How philosophy builds ethical, articulate future leaders.

A thought-provoking case study in courageously leading reform while protecting community identity. 

Want to learn more about our hosts? Connect with them on LinkedIn:

• Dr Adrian Camm: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/adriancamm/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• Teagan Collins:⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/teagan-collins-45699811a/⁠

 Show Notes: 

Carl Jung – Modern Man in Search of a Soul 

Michael Polanyi – The Tacit Dimension 

From purpose to performance through systems thinking. 

Everything in a school is connected. Dr Adrian Camm and Teagan Collins unpack a five-linkage model: Purpose → Strategy → Capabilities → Organisational Design → Management Systems and show how leaders can create coherence.

Hear how misalignment shows up (trust, retention, clarity), what to prioritise because you can’t do it all, and how to use reverse-engineering questions and simple two-by-two prioritisation to sequence change. They share examples for talent management, leadership capability frameworks, coaching, student leadership redesign, and radical transparency. 

You’ll learn: 

• How to define ‘winning’ for your context and choose what not to do 

• How to spot and fix capability gaps that block strategic delivery

• How to decentralise decisions without losing alignment 

• How to communicate openly because radical transparency builds trust

What is one thing you will realign to strengthen thelinkages and remove friction from your structure? 

Want to learn more about our hosts? Connect with them on LinkedIn:

• Dr Adrian Camm: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/adriancamm/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Teagan Collins:https://www.linkedin.com/in/teagan-collins-45699811a/

 Show Notes: 

• Jonathan Trevor - Align: A Leadership Blueprint for Aligning Purpose, Strategy, and Organization 
• A.G. Lafley and Roger L. Martin – Playing to Win: How Strategy Really Works 
•  L. David Marquet – Turn the Ship Around! A True Story of Turning Followers into Leaders 
• Marshall Goldsmith – What Got You Here Won’t Get You There 
• AHISA - Association of Heads ofIndependent Schools of Australia | Home 

A cyber attack happens every six minutes – is your school prepared?

Recent major data breaches underscore a familiar pattern: human‑layer compromise, rapid escalation, complex comms and governance decisions. In this episode, Dr Adrian Camm and Teagan Collins reveal how real the risk is and go inside a school’s worst IT day.

They look at what a critical cybersecurity incident means for schools and map the decisions leaders must make. The episode covers ransomware, threat actor negotiations, legal and insurance pathways, data breach notifications, and recovery.

Learn about practical breach response tactics and strengthening your posture following an attack with penetration testing, frameworks, and managed detection and response support.

Want to learn more about our hosts? Connect with them on LinkedIn:

• Dr Adrian Camm: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/adriancamm/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Teagan Collins: https://www.linkedin.com/in/teagan-collins-45699811a/

Join this episode as we reveal the hidden curriculum ofleadership - the emotional labour, politics, and identity work no one prepares you for. Hear how Dr Adrian Camm and Teagan Collins sustain resilience, build trust, and gain influence. Tune in for ‘In the Trenches’, where they share the hardest leadership lessons they have learned - making tough calls with empathy, not taking things personally, and trusting intuition.

Want to learn more about our hosts? Connect with them on LinkedIn:

• Dr Adrian Camm: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/adriancamm/⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Teagan Collins: https://www.linkedin.com/in/teagan-collins-45699811a/

Show notes:

•  Kahlil Gibran – The Prophet

What does it take to become a principal - and when do you know you’re ready? Dr Adrian Camm and Teagan Collins break down real pathways to principalship, how to build breadth in skills and experience, and how to prepare applications and interviews that land while staying authentic.

Tune in for practical steps, honest insights, and a nudge to take the next step.

Want to learn more about our hosts? Connect with them on LinkedIn:

• Dr Adrian Camm: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/adriancamm/⁠⁠⁠
• Teagan Collins: https://www.linkedin.com/in/teagan-collins-45699811a/

Dr. Adrian Camm and Teagan Collins explore how AI is transforming schools today and shaping tomorrow’s leaders. From AI avatars to ethical frameworks, discover how technology is amplifying human intelligence and reshaping education.

Main Themes in Episode 9

• AI is not replacing us –it’s amplifying us.
• How AI avatars are personalising communication and extending leadership.
• From plagiarism fears to cultivating sophisticated learners with AI.
• Why ethical frameworks and policies are critical in the AI era.

Get curious about AI and the future of education technology and listen to this episode!

Want to learn more about our hosts? Connect with them on LinkedIn:

• Dr Adrian Camm: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/adriancamm/⁠⁠
• Teagan Collins: https://www.linkedin.com/in/teagan-collins-45699811a/

Link to 7.30 report ABC: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5nM1faDNcro

Link to the 2025 Australian Education Awards Article here.

Leadership is tested in moments of uncertainty and tough decisions. In this episode of The Principal’s Perspective, Dr. Adrian Camm and Teagan Collins explore what it takes to lead with clarity during a crisis.

From risk mitigation strategies to managing media and shaping a culture of resilience, they share insights, lived experiences, and actionable tactics for school leaders.

Are you ready to lead when it matters most? Tune in for tools to act with integrity and calm under pressure.

Have a topic you'd like us to explore in a future episode? Send your suggestions to ⁠[email protected]⁠.

Want to learn more about our hosts? Connect with them on LinkedIn:

• Dr Adrian Camm: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/adriancamm/⁠

• Teagan Collins: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/teagan-collins-45699811a/

This week on the Principal’s Perspective, we’re dedicating 38 minutes to answering your questions! From trust-building to crisis management, Dr Adrian Camm and Teagan Collins provide deeper insight into the issues every leader faces.

Key Takeaways:

• The importance of intentional visibility in leadership.
• Strategies for building trust and collaboration in teams.
• Balancing tradition and innovation in a growing school community.
• Real-world examples of distributed leadership in action during a crisis.

Tune in now for a focused, insightful conversation that drills into deeper layers of strategy and practice.

Have a topic you'd like us to explore in a future episode? Send your suggestions to ⁠[email protected]⁠.

Want to learn more about our hosts? Connect with them on LinkedIn:

• Dr Adrian Camm: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adriancamm/

• Teagan Collins: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/teagan-collins-45699811a/

References in the episode:

Book - Opening Your Presence – Presenting the you that you want others to see by Greta Mueller

Proverb – ‘The Wise Old Owl’

"A wise old owl sat on an oak; The more he saw, the less he spoke; The less he spoke, the more he heard"

Teagan Collins’ TEDx Talk: https://youtu.be/0KByQSN9zqM?si=M5RluwJrLZkbOEUd

The Leadership Principles: https://online.fliphtml5.com/wdhpg/afiq/

This week on The Principal's Perspective, Dr. Adrian Camm and Teagan Collins explore conversations that matter—those pivotal moments that shape relationships, inspire change, and set the course for meaningful work. They share personal stories, practical advice, and tools to navigate tough discussions with curiosity and confidence, while celebrating the power of positive interactions that build trust and connection. 

Episode 6 highlights: 

• How genuine listening and curiosity can transform conversations. 
• Practical tools like the Growth Framework for confident discussions.
• Pivotal moments that shaped Adrian and Teagan’s leadership journeys. 

Tune in for insights and inspiration to help you lean into conversations that shape lives and drive change! 

Have a topic you'd like us to explore in a future episode? Send your suggestions to ⁠[email protected]⁠.  

Want to learn more about our hosts? Connect with them on LinkedIn:  

• Dr Adrian Camm: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/adriancamm/⁠ 
• Teagan Collins: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/teagan-collins-45699811a/ 

Book referenced:  

Now We’re Talking – How to discuss what really matters by Sarah Rozenthuler