book

This iBook is designed to be a resource for anyone wishing to develop their leadership capacity and improve their school’s learning environment. The resources contained within are a result of a PhD research study with the Queensland University of Technology. The findings are a practical guide for leaders wishing to create outstanding schools.

Throughout this short book you will find suggested resources, reflection questions, group discussion starters and an assessment tool that you can use to appraise your current leadership practice. I do hope that you find it both an encouragement as well as a prompt for growth.


Rarely does a book about leadership come along that is practical and inspiring. Compelling Leadership has both of these. It addresses one of the most important issues in leadership -the issue of trust. It is easy to say that trust is important but exactly how do you make this happen in an authentic and principled way? This book by Paul Browning offers an empirically based set of answers. It is a clear and practical guide for school leaders that demystifies the process of establishing and sustaining trust. Whether a new or experienced leader, this book is must, as it offers one of the best analysis, to date, of exactly how trust is the key to organisational success.” – Professor Alma Harris


This is more than just another edu-jargon book. Clear & well researched, Dr Browning’s book offers constructive guidance for anyone in a leadership role (or aiming for one). The critical reflection questions & rubric are going to become an integral component of leadership evaluation both on a personal & team level. Chapter questions that are both insightful & challenging can provide the foundation for future objectives, PD or mentoring conversations.


The incorporation of anecdotes & personal experiences elucidates the many challenges in building trust within a team/ learning community. It reminds us that people can be complicated, unpredictable & at times frustrating. Ultimately, however, it reminds those who aspire to be inspirational leaders that the bottom line for most team members is not exam scores, or enrolment numbers – it is to be valued by leaders they trust.” – Kerry Daud