How can we attract, retain and develop a new generation of educational leaders with the confidence and capabilities to lead innovative change for 21st century learning? (Human capital question)

How can we build a vibrant network of leaders who will share ideas and resources, scale-up effective strategies and make progress on complex educational challenges together? (Social capital question)

These two design questions have been driving a large proportion of my research and social entrepreneurship projects over the last few years. The situation is not looking pretty. Education systems across the OECD face a leadership succession crisis (Pont et al. 2008). Over the next five to ten years, in my home country Australia, a large proportion of current Principals (50% in some states) will retire (Anderson et al. 2007). Compounding this problem, there are indications of reduced interest in pursuing further leadership positions from current middle leaders, and continued high attrition of beginning teachers. We urgently need new strategies and processes to ensure that the strategic development of talented emerging leaders becomes a system-wide movement.

The Global Emerging Leaders Summit has been one part of my response strategy. Launched in October 2010, this annual Summit aims to develop an emergent network of young, talented, and innovative leaders from across Australia and New Zealand. In March 2011, I facilitated 2-day leadership immersion programmes across the 8 states and territories of Australia. In October 2011 we held our second GEL Summit (GELS11). We now have a network of over 600 emerging leaders in Australia who are looking to challenge the status quo, improve learning in their contexts, and be equipped for higher levels of leadership.

I have a adopted a ‘ready, fire, aim’ (Fullan’s phrase) approach to ‘prototyping’ different elements of the strategy in order to determine the most effective way forward. After two summits and 12 months of programmes and network building I plan to grow in 2012 with a strategy which includes:

• An annual global summit
• State-based/regional conferences and UNconference sessions
• A leadership learning curriculum focused on innovation and change management
• Online platforms and networks to facilitate a connected community
• Experienced school leaders acting as mentors and coaches.

Would you like to get onboard with the movement?  Get in touch by email or twitter.

See below for some more information about our most recent summit GELS11.

The Global Emerging Leaders Summit 2011  

3rd – 4th of October – Adelaide.

Do you think it is time to challenge the status quo and explore a new paradigm for schooling?

Do you want to learn in a dynamic environment from global experts in educational leadership and change?

Would you like to connect with like-minded emerging educational leaders with a passion to make an impact?

The 2011 Summit will gather the growing ‘tribe’ of creative and action-oriented emerging educators from across Australia, the Asia Pacific and globally for two days of collaboration, leadership development and exposure to the most innovative educational ideas on the planet. The Summit it specifically designed to grow, inspire and connect the next generation of educational ‘change agents’. It has become recognised as an annual ‘incubator’ for emerging educational thought leaders globally.

There is a ‘No Boring Sessions’ guarantee and plenty of time built-in for rich conversations with inspirational and action-oriented people. This Summit is a truly rare opportunity for young leaders to engage in a dynamic learning environment with an array of both emerging and highly experienced educational thought leaders.