A Coaching Way of Leading: Sustainable Leadership in Action
by Chris Munro
“What did you learn on the job today?”
It’s a simple question, and one that often stops school leaders in their tracks. Not because there’s nothing to say, but because the learning we experience in a day is embedded in moments that move quickly: a walk down the corridor, a quick exchange with a teacher, a tense but productive parent conversation, or a coaching session that energizes us just as much as the person we’re supporting.
These daily interactions aren’t just routine; they are the very fabric of our leadership. And if we’re paying attention, they’re also the heart of our professional growth and the growth of others.
In a world where sustainability in leadership is about more than self-care and succession planning; where it’s about building leadership that lasts and leaves a legacy. The quality of our conversations matters more than ever.
Adapted from an article published in Principal Connections; The Magazine of Catholic Principals’ Council of Ontario. Fall 2025, Volume 29. Issue 1.
News
Farewell to Penny Verdich
As 2025 draws to a close, we farewell one of our long-serving Senior Consultants - Penny Verdich - as she enters retirement.
Formerly a highly regarded Public School Principal on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, Penny joined GCI in 2012. It is a challenge to do justice to Penny’s character, reputation and contribution in this short tribute so I’ll focus on some key features and highlights.
Penny is a model of our coaching way of being. She is curious, respectful, trustworthy and empathetic. As a former school leader and very experienced coach, she gets it! Anyone who has interacted with Penny – as a participant, coachee or colleague – will testify to these qualities along with her inimitable zest and energy. Always curious and interested, and with a great memory for names and personal details, Penny set the bar in participant evaluations as she led all of our flagship courses over many years. Many highlight her ability to weave stories of practice into her facilitation as a stand out of their experience with Penny.
Penny has also been a thoughtful and intelligent contributor to the development of our work at GCI and a trusted mentor to many new facilitators and coaches. We will all miss Penny being an integral member of our team and we wish her well as she fully immerses herself in the other aspects of her life that bring her joy and fulfilment - her family and grandchildren, travel and painting. Many of our readers may not know that Penny, ever the life-long learner, has become an award-winning exhibited artist in recent years. You can find out more here.
With our sincere gratitude and best wishes,
Chris Munro
Chief Operating Officer (Australia & Asia)
(Clockwise from top left) Penny working in East Africa as part of her journey with the LBW Trust; pictured in Doha with Chris Munro & John Campbell in 2017; pictured alongside her artwork; in action facilitating with GCI.
Coaching in Education Podcast
Stories from the Coaches with Penny Verdich
As her retirement approaches, Penny Verdich has also joined Richard Reid for the latest episode of the Coaching in Education Podcast.
With more than four decades of leadership experience in NSW schools, Penny shares the key moments that shaped her coaching journey, her passion for professional learning and the profound impact she has had on school and system leaders across the state.
As she prepares for retirement, Penny offers wisdom, insights and inspiration for everyone invested in developing leadership capacity and fostering meaningful professional conversations. A warm celebration of a career dedicated to helping others grow.
The Instructional Coaching Institute | Shanghai & Bangkok
Following great feedback from this year’s event, we’re looking forward to bringing the Instructional Coaching Institute back to Shanghai AND Bangkok in 2026!
If you’ve been considering a powerful, research‑backed way to implement or strengthen instructional coaching in your school or team, now is the time to jump at this opportunity.
The Instructional Coaching Done Well Roadshow 2026
The Instructional Coaching Done Well Roadshow
Knowing that every school is different, how do you create a sustainable, impactful instructional coaching program that really works in the short and long term?
Join Jim Knight, the world’s leading expert in instructional coaching, for a special 2-day learning experience designed to help school leaders, instructional coaches, and educators answer this question.
With stops in Singapore, Sydney, Hobart and Melbourne, find out more and get in early to secure your place in 2026 - click the link below!
Conversation is at the heart of learning and leading.
In this highly interactive workshop, Chris Munro, co-author of Growth Talk, will bring to life the key concepts and field-tested frameworks presented in this ground-breaking new book.
Participants will explore how to bring shape to conversations; the key skills that fuel learning conversations; and how to show up in ways that best support the thinking and progress of our colleagues.
Using AI in Instructional Coaching: Best Practices & Tools dives into how AI can amplify instructional and peer coaching by enhancing - not replacing - human connection.
You’ll explore AI-driven coaching scenarios, mastering effective prompts for lesson analysis, strategy development, and goal setting.
Designed for educators by educators, the Coaching Accreditation Programprovides comprehensive training for educators in the skills, conversational frameworks, and "way of being" of coaching.
Delivered ONLINE by leading experts in the field, this course provides a pathway to industry recognised coaching credentials with the European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCC).
"The course was a genuinely transformative (even life changing!) learning experience for me. The timing of each element and the strong emphasis on coaching practice and reflection allowed me to reflect, experiment and integrate my learning into my professional practice."
Experience leadership coaching with hands-on practice, feedback, and collaborative learning with the 2-day Introduction to Leadership Coachingcourse.
Gain confidence and competence in using the 3 elements of coaching - the GROWTH framework, key coaching skills, and Way of Being - to foster a culture of growth, improvement, and excellence within your educational community.
"Thank you for an informative program delivered in a supportive environment. I have a new energy and am confident the skills I have learnt will be used from day one of the new term.
Jane Neary,
Head Teacher, Chifley College - Shalvey Campus NSW
The Impact Cycle 2-day course is designed to support educators in establishing instructional coaching cycles that lead to improved teaching and student learning.
The course is for anyone who works alongside teachers to help them develop their practice.
"Thank you so much for an amazing 2 days. I have learnt so much and feel much more confident as a leader and to begin engaging in the coaching process with my peers.”
Do you find yourself avoiding difficult conversations - even when you know they need to happen?
The Managing Challenging Conversations 1-day course is designed for leaders and managers who want to enhance their confidence, skills, and understanding to engage in these conversations in ways that maintain high expectations alongside constructive relationships.
"The skills and tools I’ve learned to be clear and concise in my messaging when having challenging conversations - I loved how much time we had to reflect on ourselves and our position in conversations.”
Allyship: Taking a Stand for Fairer and More Equal Societies
In this Curious Conversation, Jummy Okoya, Christian van Nieuwerburgh and Nicky Knight discuss the importance of the role of allies in working towards fairer and more inclusive organisations and societies.
This webinar is specifically for those who are interested in becoming allies and being more active in diversity, inclusion and equity initiatives. The speakers reflect on the challenges and opportunities of becoming an ally and share practical ideas and strategies for those who want to take on the challenge.
CoachED Update and GCI Insights are our regular e-publications. Sign-up to be the first to hear about the latest Coaching in Education insights, news and events.
