Date Published: April 9, 2025
John F. Kennedy was a leader renowned for his inspiring speeches, many of which still resonate today. Among his most profound messages was from his final, undelivered speech intended for delivery in Dallas:
“Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.”
The meaning behind this quote is powerful—a leader cannot lead effectively without a commitment to continuous learning. In fact, a refusal to learn and grow weakens leadership over time.
In schools, this principle holds special significance. As educators and leaders, we recognise that our students are constantly learning, whether through formal lessons, peer interactions, or independent exploration. However, the same is true for us. Every day, students, colleagues, research, and even news headlines offer us new insights and opportunities for development.
Yet, as school leaders, it can be incredibly difficult to prioritise our own learning. The demands of leadership often feel overwhelming: improving pupil wellbeing, preparing for inspections, ensuring alignment with school improvement plans (SIPs), and supporting staff development. In the face of these responsibilities, personal learning often falls to the bottom of the list.
Still, JFK’s words are a timely reminder—no matter how senior our role, leadership and learning must remain intertwined. Without growth, leadership stagnates.
In this article, we explore why continuous learning is essential for school leaders, and how to embed it into your leadership practice.
The Importance of Continuous Learning in Leadership
When you hold a position of leadership, it is easy to assume you have already mastered the skills you need. However, education is an ever-evolving landscape. New policies, technologies, teaching practices, and societal changes constantly reshape the environment in which we lead.
Continuous professional development (CPD) is therefore not a luxury, but a necessity. Effective school leaders embrace a mindset of lifelong learning, understanding that growth enables them to:
- Respond proactively to change
- Inspire and model best practice for staff
- Maintain credibility and relevance
- Build a culture of learning across the school
- Lead with greater confidence and empathy
Leadership without learning risks becoming disconnected, outdated, and ultimately ineffective.
How School Leaders Can Prioritise Their Learning
Understanding the importance of learning is only the first step. How can busy school leaders realistically make time for their own development?
Here are three key strategies:
1. Commit to Your Own CPD
Making time for your personal CPD is crucial. Although it may seem self-indulgent when competing priorities arise, investing in your own development is ultimately an act of service to your school community.
By acquiring new knowledge and refining your leadership skills, you:
- Enhance your ability to lead your team more effectively
- Gain insights that can be shared with colleagues
- Foster a culture where learning is visibly valued
Leading by example is one of the most powerful tools at your disposal. If staff see that leadership places importance on their own development, they are more likely to prioritise theirs too.
Practical tips:
- Block out regular CPD time in your diary
- Attend leadership conferences or webinars
- Engage with education research or leadership podcasts
- Set personal learning goals aligned to your SIP objectives
2. Embrace Evaluation and Feedback
Regular self-evaluation and peer feedback are critical to growth. While it may feel uncomfortable, honest feedback offers invaluable insights into how your leadership is perceived—and where you can improve.
It is easy to assume that no news is good news, but without seeking feedback actively, blind spots can develop. A leader’s perception of their effectiveness can differ significantly from the experience of staff, pupils, or governors.
Ways to build evaluation into your leadership practice:
- Conduct regular self-assessments linked to leadership standards
- Invite feedback anonymously via staff surveys
- Arrange peer observations with trusted colleagues
- Reflect on feedback constructively and set specific development actions
Evaluation is not a sign of weakness—it is a sign of strength and humility.
3. Foster Collaboration and Learning from Others
True leadership is not about having all the answers; it is about facilitating collaboration, empowering others, and remaining open to new ideas.
Schools are filled with talented individuals at all levels, from newly qualified teachers to experienced pastoral leaders. Engaging with a broad range of perspectives enriches your leadership and helps you stay connected to the changing needs of your community.
Practical approaches to collaboration:
- Regularly join department or pastoral team meetings
- Encourage cross-team projects or working groups
- Engage with leadership networks beyond your own school
- Mentor emerging leaders—and allow yourself to be mentored
Listening actively and learning from others’ experiences strengthens trust and builds a more dynamic leadership team.
Leadership and Learning: A Lifelong Journey
Leadership is not a destination; it is an ongoing journey of growth. Every new challenge, success, failure, or initiative presents an opportunity to learn and refine your skills further.
Recognising that you are always a learner helps you lead with greater empathy, adaptability, and authenticity. It also helps you model resilience and curiosity—qualities we aim to instil in our students.
Strong leadership and learning cultures are symbiotic. When school leaders actively engage in learning, they promote an environment where all members of the community are encouraged to grow, innovate, and aspire to excellence.
Conclusion: Leading Through Learning
John F. Kennedy’s words serve as an important reminder: “Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.”
In a profession as dynamic and influential as education, the best school leaders are those who never stop learning. They commit to their own growth not despite their leadership role, but because of it.
By prioritising personal CPD, embracing feedback, and fostering collaboration, school leaders ensure they remain effective, inspirational, and prepared for the evolving demands of the role.
In doing so, they model the very values of lifelong learning that they seek to cultivate in their pupils—preparing not just schools, but future generations, for success.
