Ep 226: From Quiet Achiever to School Leader: Embracing Courage, Building Trust, and Leading with Compassion with Jo Fahey

Leadership Conversations

In this heartfelt episode of the Leadership Conversations Podcast, host Jonno White sits down with Jo Fahey, State Executive Officer for New South Wales and ACT at Christian Education National in Australia. Jo shares her journey from being a self-described “quiet achiever” to a courageous and compassionate leader in education. Through personal stories and profound insights, Jo reveals how she overcame self-doubt, embraced leadership, and found her purpose in helping others grow.

Key Episode Highlights:

• Finding Confidence in Leadership: Jo reflects on her childhood and early years, where she was a quiet and diligent student. Despite lacking self-confidence, she was appointed as school captain and found herself stepping into leadership roles she hadn’t expected. Jo shares how she built confidence over the years, learning to lead with courage and conviction.
• Guiding from the Side: Jo discusses the importance of being a "guide from the side" in leadership. She shares how her leadership style emphasizes supporting others from behind the scenes, building trust, and leading through service rather than authority. Jo believes that great leaders don't always have to be the "sage on the stage" but should be willing to get in the trenches with their people.
• Stepping into Leadership Roles: Jo recounts her transition from teaching to her first formal leadership role as an Infants Coordinator. She reflects on the challenges and rewards of balancing classroom teaching with leadership responsibilities, learning the importance of presence and the power of leading by example.
• Embracing Courage in Leadership: Jo speaks candidly about imposter syndrome and the moments of self-doubt she faced throughout her career. She encourages listeners to take leaps of faith, even when they don’t feel fully ready, and to see challenges as opportunities for growth.
• The Power of Relationships in Leadership: A key theme in Jo's leadership philosophy is the importance of building strong relationships. Whether working with staff or students, Jo has always believed in getting alongside others, listening to their ideas, and helping them succeed in their roles. She emphasizes that leadership is about helping others grow and thrive.
• Curiosity and Mentorship: Jo offers valuable advice for aspiring leaders, encouraging them to remain curious, ask questions, and seek out trusted mentors. She believes that leadership is a continual journey of learning and that surrounding yourself with supportive and wise individuals is crucial to success.
• Balancing Leadership and Teaching: Jo reflects on the challenge of balancing leadership with classroom responsibilities. She discusses how teaching helped her stay connected to the core purpose of education and gave her credibility with staff by demonstrating her willingness to share in the hard work.
• Aha Moments and Leadership Growth: Jo shares several “aha” moments that shaped her leadership journey, including the realization that great leadership is about serving others and being willing to do the work alongside them.

Join Jonno White and Jo Fahey for a deeply encouraging and insightful conversation about leadership, vulnerability, and the power of stepping into roles that push you beyond your comfort zone. Whether you're a seasoned leader or just starting out, this episode will inspire you to lead with courage, compassion, and a heart for helping others.