EP6 - The courage to take a different vantage point

In this episode, Joshua and Angela explore the metaphor of the spiral staircase to rethink how we experience learning and leadership growth. Angela shares insights from her 15-year journey in primary education and leadership—culminating in her role as deputy head during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic—and recounts a powerful mentoring anecdote that illustrates how reflection, perspective and implementation drive deeper progress each time we revisit familiar challenges.

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⏱️ Timestamps & Highlights

• 00:00 – 02:00 | Welcome & Introductions
  Joshua welcomes Angela, who outlines her 15-year teaching career, leadership roles (phase leader → assistant head → deputy head in 2019–20) and current work mentoring early-career teachers in Lambeth.

• 02:00 – 05:00 | The Spiral Staircase Metaphor

  • Linear vs circular views of learning

  • Spiral staircase: circling back at a higher vantage point

  • Relevance to life and leadership

• 05:00 – 14:00 | Core Components of Spiralling Learning

  1. Reflection – Pausing to analyse experiences

  2. Perspective – Adopting a growth-orientated, humble mindset

  3. Implementation – Applying new insights to measure real progress

• 14:00 – 20:00 | Mentoring Anecdote: A Lesson in Humility
  Angela recounts a meeting where she inadvertently spoke over an early-career teacher.

  • Initial shock, shame and self-doubt

  • Reflections on intentions versus impact

  • Perspective shift: modelling humility rather than stepping aside

  • Implementing new behaviours to rebuild trust

  • Outcome: a stronger mentorship relationship and broader leadership growth

• 20:00 – 24:00 | Fixed vs Growth Mindset & the Role of Humility
  Joshua highlights how Angela’s story demonstrates:

  • Moving beyond “I’m just not cut out for this” to “How can I grow?”

  • Embracing mistakes as invitations to go deeper rather than failures to avoid

• 24:00 – 28:00 | Practical “Why” Questions for Leaders
  Angela suggests reflective prompts to climb the spiral more intentionally:

  • “Why did this happen?”

  • “Why was I triggered?”

  • Exploring underlying beliefs and emotions for richer context

  • Measuring growth by comparing “what I know now” with “what I knew before”

• 28:00 – 30:00 | Closing Thoughts & Call to Action

  • “Learning isn’t about ticking boxes; it’s layering wisdom on wisdom.”

  • Lean into the spiral when you feel stuck.

  • Invite listeners to suggest future prompts via LinkedIn.

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🎙️ Key Take-Aways

1. Spiral Staircase Metaphor:
   Revisiting challenges isn’t regression—it’s elevation. Each return offers a new vantage for deeper learning.

2. Three Pillars of Spiralling Learning:

   • Reflection: Pause and analyse what happened and why.

   • Perspective: Adopt a growth mindset and humility.

   • Implementation: Apply new insights to gauge tangible progress.

3. Humility in Leadership:
   True growth often involves confronting shame, reframing mistakes and modelling vulnerability.

4. Actionable Questions:
   Use “why” prompts to uncover root causes and chart next steps:

   • Why did this happen?

   • Why did I respond this way?

   • What can I do differently next time?

5. Measure Your Growth:
   Compare current capabilities with past ones: “What do I know or do now that I couldn’t before?”

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🔗 Resources & Connect

• Joshua Okunlola (Host):
  LinkedIn

• Angela Gaisie (Guest):
  LinkedIn

• Podcast Contact & Feedback:
  Share episode prompts or reflections via LinkedIn message to Joshua or Angela.

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Lead with curiosity. Embrace the spiral. Take it easy!