The most dangerous kind of silence in schools isn't from students… it's from the leaders.

I've spent the best part of three decades working in IB schools, holding a variety of roles, coaching, leading, redesigning curriculum and training teachers. The most powerful lesson I've learned didn't happen on a course or at a conference. It came from observing closely and noticing what wasn't being said.

Silence in schools isn't absence, rather it's a signal. It might be a staff member who once engaged strops contributing in meetings. A student who withdraws after a disciplinary decision because they feel their voice is not heard. The parent who give a polite nod but follows up with a transfer request unexpectedly.

As leaders we can often misinterpret silence as agreement, compliance, even a positive culture. But in reality silence is speaking to us. What if silence is the deafening sound of resistance, fear or lack of trust?

My research explores what silence reveals about leadership and how can we respond with courage, curiosity, and connection? I’m on a fact finding mission to help school leaders hear what’s unspoken. What we don’t hear can cost us the very culture we’re trying to build.

Have you ever misread, misinterpreted or ignored silence in your leadership? Please comment below.

Your insight might just be what another leader needs hear today.

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