Delivering an Executive Insights Program for a Regional Independent School
The Brief
Future Leadership™ was engaged by a regional independent K–12 school in New South Wales to deliver an Executive Insights program designed to evaluate and uplift the leadership effectiveness of the Principal. The school had undergone sustained growth, cultural renewal, and organisational development, prompting the Board to seek an evidence‑based leadership assessment to inform future capability decisions.
The school’s leadership had guided significant transformation, including strengthened culture, increased enrolments, and organisational maturity. To ensure sustained performance and strategic alignment, the Board required a comprehensive understanding of the Principal’s behavioural leadership impact, alignment to school values, and opportunities for future development. The program aimed to establish a clear foundation for ongoing leadership growth, succession planning, and improved strategic capability within the school’s executive context.
True Cost of Turnover
The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) estimates that replacing an employee can cost between 30% and 150% of their annual salary, highlighting the financial benefits of using structured assessments to improve retention. (SHRM, 2019)
Capability Assessment
Research from the University of Queensland found that skills tests combined with structured interviews significantly improve the predictive power of hiring decisions compared to traditional methods.
Well Matched Roles, Lower Turnover
Studies suggest that employees who are well-matched with their roles are less likely to leave, even in high-stress industries.
(Barrick & Mount, The Big Five personality dimensions and job performance: A meta-analysis, 1991)
Structured Interviews Enhance Diversity
Structured interviews and scorecards significantly reduce bias and improve diversity outcomes by ensuring consistent evaluation criteria across all candidates.
(Source: Diversity Australia)
The Process
Future Leadership™ designed a tailored capability assessment using a structured, research‑backed methodology that began with discovery and diagnostics, engaging key stakeholders to understand strategic priorities, cultural expectations, and leadership requirements while reviewing key documentation to refine focus areas.
The assessment phase involved administering The Leadership Circle Profile (LCP) 360-degree tool to the Principal that gathered feedback from direct reports, peers, council members, and other stakeholders to analyse leadership strengths, creative competencies, and reactive tendencies. Quantitative and qualitative insights detailed strengths and development opportunities.
A structured debrief was facilitated by Future Leadership with the Principal and the Board Chair to translate findings into clear development pathways and ensure alignment across the executive team, creating the foundation for ongoing capability uplift and future leadership planning.
The Outcome
The Executive Insights program resulted in strengthened strategic understanding of the Principal’s leadership impact. Assessment findings highlighted strong relational capability, values‑driven leadership, and alignment with the school’s long‑term direction. Development opportunities were identified in areas such as enhancing strategic visibility, broadening stakeholder engagement, and strengthening delegation practices.
The Board gained an evidence‑based view of leadership effectiveness, future readiness, and strategic capability needs. The insights provided a clear platform for ongoing coaching, leadership development, and succession planning, supporting the school’s continued growth and organisational maturity. The program established a structured approach to long‑term leadership evolution within the executive context.
