Operationalising the Westbourne Leadership Principles

Dr Adrian Camm, Principal and Managing Director

Leadership is fundamentally relational and contextual, shaped by the unique cultures and environments within which it operates. At Westbourne, we co-constructed with our staff a set of clearly articulated principles and a philosophical statement capturing what we believe:

“Leadership is both a position we hold and a disposition we embody. Our leadership principles are not just aspirational; they are a commitment we make to each other, a call to action, and a framework for how we interact, how we make decisions, and our way of being. Whether you are a senior leader, a middle leader, or hold a position of responsibility, these principles define what is expected of us all. Together, they ensure that we approach leadership with purpose, integrity, and a shared drive to inspire and empower those we work with.” 

Our Leadership Principles state that leaders at Westbourne: 

Are Humble, Hungry and Smart: As a team we embrace personal virtues of humility, ambition, and emotional and academic intelligence. 

Lead in All Directions: We influence up, down, and across the organisation. We never say, “that’s not my job”. We relentlessly pursue success in everything that we do. 

Kill their Own Snakes: We take ownership. If we see a snake, we don’t call a committee or complain to someone else, we just kill the snake. If a snake is already dead, we don’t go back and poke it. 

Are Always Learning: We are continuously developing expertise rather than being an expert. We are learning about leading, managing people, subject disciplines, and the business. We constantly ask for feedback in order to improve. 

Are Master Communicators: We communicate honestly, directly, and with courage. We listen actively, speak candidly, and build a strong trusting community through transparent communication. Over communication is better than under communication and we believe that clarity plus brevity leads to greater impact. 

Act with Empathy and Respect: We embrace a people-first culture and are committed to reconciliation, equity, and inclusion. Our actions reflect care, fostering an environment where everyone is valued, heard, and supported. 

Front Up: We don’t just show up; we front up. When we front up we make a statement that we will be visible, engaged, and a positive advocate for our school. 

Amplify Others: We invest fully in the growth of our colleagues. We recognise exceptional talent and create opportunities for advancement. We lift others up. We never tear others down. 

Challenge and Commit: We respectfully challenge decisions by playing devil’s advocate, knowing healthy debate leads to better outcomes. Once a decision is made however, we commit fully and dedicate ourselves to its success. 

Know the Detail and See the Big Picture: We see the big picture while appreciating granular details in order to bridge gaps and cultivate a culture of inclusivity and trust. We know that leadership is about grappling with tensions and managing competing priorities, and that to achieve the big picture individuals may not always get their way. 

Look Through Multiple Lenses: We embrace the power of perspective. By looking through multiple lenses, we uncover diverse insights, challenge limiting assumptions, and understand different viewpoints, cultivating connection, innovation, and alignment across teams. 

Have High Expectations: We set high standards for ourselves and others. We won’t tolerate mediocrity or poor behavior and we seek to raise the bar in all aspects of school life. 

To ensure these principles transform into tangible leadership practices, a deliberate and systematic approach to embedding these principles into observable behaviors across all levels of the organisation is essential. 

We have started incorporating our Leadership Principles as a standing agenda on every meeting at every level of the organisation. Additionally, each fortnight at our Executive meeting, we acknowledge those across the school who have gone above and beyond in their work. That individual then receives a written acknowledgement from the Principal on behalf of the Executive linked to one of our leadership principles. It is these small acts of noticing that builds culture ensuring individuals feel seen and valued. 

To further institutionalise these principles, we are now developing a multi-tiered capability framework. This will include descriptors articulating what the principle looks like in action. For instance, the principle of “Leading in All Directions” is exemplified by practices where staff actively address challenges regardless of their formal role, advocate solutions proactively, and collaborate across traditional hierarchies to drive strategic objectives. Similarly, leaders who embody “Kill their Own Snakes” promptly handle issues independently, demonstrating ownership and avoiding unnecessary escalation. Once this is articulated, required capabilities will be developed, mapped to a tiered professional learning program that is linked to each principle building the requisite skills, capacities, and dispositions. 

This Westbourne Leadership Capability Framework (WLCF) is an exciting next step in the evolution of our focus on leadership development. It will be integrated via diagnostic self-assessments, 360-degree feedback, goal setting, and coaching conversations leading to curated learning pathways suited to the individual’s context, career stage, aspirations, and ambitions. 

If our Leadership Principles are an ethical compass; the WLCF translates that compass into a navigational chart for everyday leadership. By articulating explicit leadership practices, behavioral indicators and situating growth within personalised development plans, we bridge the principle – practice divide.  

Naming clear principles and specifying the practices that enact them create environments where everyone knows both the why and the how – a prerequisite for high-performing cultures.