Sustainable Leadership: A Reflection on My Journey

As I head into the final weeks of writing my dissertation, I find myself looking back, not just at the intense work I’ve done recently, but further back, nearly two decades ago, when I completed my Master’s. I remember the sense of accomplishment, the exhaustion, and the curiosity about what came next. My Master’s focused on developing a sustainable leadership model, framed around Sustainable Leadership by Andy Hargreaves and Dean Fink. At the time, I didn’t fully grasp just how much that work would continue to shape who I am as a leader.

Looking at my journey, from West Vancouver to Dubai to Tokyo, I can see how those principles have played out in ways I never could have predicted. Leadership isn’t static; it evolves, adapts, and challenges you. But at its core, I still believe in the same things: depth over quick fixes, systems over silos, people over policies, and a commitment to making sure the work I do lasts beyond my time in a school.

How the Seven Principles of Sustainable Leadership Show Up in My Work

1. Depth – Leadership That Matters

For me, leadership has never been about surface-level change. It has always been about deep learning and meaningful transformation. Whether in West Vancouver, Dubai, or Tokyo, my focus has been on student-centered, innovative learning, the kind that pushes beyond trends and aligns with global competencies, ethical leadership, and authentic learning experiences.

2. Length – Leadership That Lasts

I’ve always believed that if the impact of my leadership disappears the moment I leave, then I haven’t really done my job. True sustainability means ensuring that good ideas don’t leave with the leader. Whether it’s inquiry-based frameworks, reimagined learning spaces, or earning an Apple Distinguished School designation, I’ve worked to build initiatives meant to stand the test of time. That means prioritizing shared leadership, succession planning, and mentoring others so that the work continues to grow long after I’m gone.

3. Breadth – Leadership That Spreads

One of the biggest shifts in my leadership over the years has been moving from leading from the front to leading alongside others. I believe in distributed leadership, not just in theory but in practice. I’ve worked to empower teachers with an entrepreneurial mindset, giving them the space and confidence to lead their own initiatives. Investing in coaching and capacity-building has been a core part of my leadership, because real change happens when leadership is shared, not siloed.

4. Justice – Leadership That Does No Harm

Sustainability in leadership isn’t just about innovation—it’s about harmony. Schools can’t be in a constant state of reinvention, where pushing too hard, too fast, can lead to a lack of traction. I’ve learned that timing, pacing, and understanding the rhythms of a school year matter. Sustainable leadership means knowing when to push forward and when to step back, when to create excitement and when to protect well-being.

5. Diversity – Leadership That Adapts

If there’s one thing I’ve understood, it’s that there is no one-size-fits-all approach in education. Every school, every team, and every student community is different. My leadership has always been shaped by context, whether that’s exploring the opportunities AI can bring to schools, fostering student-driven inquiry projects, or creating professional growth collaboratives for teachers. The key is being adaptable, listening first, and shaping innovation around the vision and the people it serves.

6. Resourcefulness – Leadership That Conserves Energy

Sustainable leadership isn’t about doing more, it’s about doing what matters, well. I’ve always prioritized professional learning, and smart workload management to make sure educators have the time and space to innovate. Whether that’s by creating collaborative learning blocks, finding more prep time, or leveraging AI and technology to reduce inefficiencies, I’ve worked to make sure that the people doing the work have the energy to sustain it.

7. Conservation – Leadership That Honors the Past While Innovating for the Future

I’ve never believed in change for the sake of change. Each school I’ve led has had its own culture, traditions, and rituals, and I’ve always worked to honor those histories while moving the school forward. The challenge of leadership is to bring the past and the future into conversation with each other, to innovate while preserving the values that make a school special.

Final Thoughts

I’m a reflective person by nature, and as I look back on my career so far, I feel grateful that the ideas in Sustainable Leadership still resonate with me. I’ve made mistakes, I’ve learned, I’ve adapted, but at my core I’ve always strived to lead with depth, longevity, equity, and shared responsibility.

Leadership is never about a single person. It’s about what you build, who you empower, and what remains when you step away. If my work has contributed to innovation that lasts, collaboration that matters, and change that endures, then I’d like to think I’m on the right path.