What does it truly mean to emerge as a middle leader? In this episode of Aspire to Lead, Gavin Grift, author of Emerge: Overcoming Common Challenges Associated with Middle Leadership, joins us to reimagine leadership in today’s educational landscape.
We explore the profound concept that "Clarity Precedes Competence," reframing hardships as stepping stones to growth, and the role self-awareness plays in transformative leadership. Gavin unpacks how busyness has become the modern-day "I'm fine" and reveals how leaders can reclaim their time for what truly matters.
Dive into Gavin’s fascinating Leadership Archetypes—the Pleaser, Ostrich, Imposter, Dynamo, and the Judge & Juror—and learn practical ways to recognize and grow beyond these tendencies.
Whether you're navigating the complexities of middle leadership or looking to refine your approach, this episode delivers a fresh perspective and powerful strategies to help you emerge stronger and more focused than ever. Don’t miss this engaging conversation with one of education's most inspiring voices!
About Gavin Grift:
Gavin Grift’s career in education began in 1992 as a primary school teacher, where he spent 15 years fostering student agency and empowering students to take ownership of their learning. His innovative practices and dedication to improving teaching led him to roles beyond the classroom, including serving as a cluster educator, where he supported eight schools in developing instructional strategies to enhance student outcomes. This pivotal role marked Gavin’s transition from classroom teaching to educational leadership, focusing on systemic improvements in teaching and learning.
In 2007, Gavin co-authored Assessing the Whole Child with Jane Satchwell, emphasizing student-led portfolios and conferences to empower students in their assessment processes. The book’s success sparked invitations to present their work nationally, leading to partnerships with Hawker Brownlow Education to expand their reach. Around this time, Gavin’s interest in cognitive development deepened after attending a Cognitive Coaching seminar with Thinking Collaborative. This experience shaped his approach to education and leadership, ultimately prompting him to transition into full-time consultancy, working with schools to strengthen teaching practices.
Gavin’s career reached new heights as he became Executive Director of a professional development venture created by Hawker Brownlow Education and Solution Tree. Under the mentorship of Richard and Rebecca DuFour, Gavin helped schools across Australia implement Professional Learning Communities, fostering collaboration and transforming teaching practices. During this period, he co-authored Teachers as Architects of Learning and deepened his international influence as a Cognitive Coaching training associate, supporting educators globally in reflective practices and leadership development. His widely praised books, including Emerge, Transformative Collaboration, Collaborative Teams That Transform Schools, Five Ways of Being, and Collaborative Teams That Work, have further cemented his reputation as a thought leader in education.
In 2018, Gavin founded Grift Education, offering professional learning programs focused on collaboration, leadership, and teacher development. Today, Grift Education continues to grow and evolve, providing resources and programs that help systems and schools achieve the best outcomes for their students. This growth recently culminated in the establishment of Grift Education as a publishing house, further expanding its impact on education. Through Grift Education, Gavin has solidified his reputation as a leading author, consultant, and educational leader, empowering schools to navigate the complexities of modern education while staying true to the values of student agency, teacher reflection, and professional growth.
Follow Gavin Grift:
Website: https://www.grifteducation.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ggrift/
Follow Grift Education:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grifteducation/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grift-education
https://www.amazon.com/Emerge-Challenges-Overcome-self-awareness-leadership/dp/1962188930?crid=F1MRJTBD1BJZ&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.T1_EjwjQ31HTu3fG8Xu1OHFM894CRBA0xbogG5pX01sZErguFgcUD7ztUrORnrz88a9FdO0UgdL5TTSZXIa9otzSDYwH_gzbRcn7usdr46O-FCuKnG-jSEWkMRb2p-SU.LCqIZpvNou3YRF5XrKKY5Ju11tL4pRBJfszRw3nW3xs&dib_tag=se&keywords=emerge+middle+leadership+book&qid=1737867678&sprefix=emerge+middle+leadership+boo%2Caps%2C127&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=aspirewebsite-20&linkId=a951b5bff475ecb9d9a264272bc0fec6&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl
—
My New Book "The Language of Behavior" is Coming Out Soon!
—
Need a Presenter for a conference or school PD?
[caption id="attachment_5255" align="alignnone" width="237"]
Joshua Stamper Keynote Presentation, Enhancing Your Capacity with Healthy Habits[/caption]
Contact Joshua Stamper for presentations on Leadership Capacity, Mental Health Strategies, Alternative Behavior Practices, Leadership Development, and Innovative campus systems.
—
Follow the Host, Joshua Stamper:
Contact: https://joshstamper.com/contact/
Twitter: www.twitter.com/Joshua__Stamper
Instagram: www.instagram.com/joshua__stamper
Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/joshua-stamper
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AspirePodcast
Subscribe: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/aspire-the-leadership-development-podcast/id1384210762?mt=2
Aspire to Lead Won the FireBird Award!
I’m happy to announce that my book, “Aspire to Lead”, won the 2022 Leadership Book Award from Speak Up Talk Radio!
It is a great honor to get this kind of recognition and I really appreciate all your support!
The book is available for purchase on Amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1953852386/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1953852386&linkCode=as2&tag=aspirewebsite-20&linkId=0d9c336e3db6ab16cbb08421ef3e4175
—
Review the Podcast
I want to give a huge shout out to those who have taken the time to provide a review on Apple, Spotify or any other podcast platform. It truly means the world to me that you would take the 30- 90 seconds to share how the podcast has positively impacted you or why other educators should check out the show.
[caption id="attachment_3022" align="alignnone" width="799"]
Teach Better Podcast Network, Aspire: The Leadership Development Podcast[/caption]
This post contains affiliate links. When you make a purchase through these links, The Aspire Podcast gets a small percentage of the sale at no extra cost to you. 
