Leading Self Before Leading Others: Shaping Positive Change from the Inside Out.
Fixing broken schools, and learners, is possible…. Prof Jonanthan Jansen in Durban talking about Shaping Positive Change.
Stadio Higher Education, Musgrave: Wed 13 Nov 1.30pm
Change is possible. Even the most broken and damaged schools, can be transformed, if you change the culture of the institution. A full auditorium of educators, business leaders and school management were treated to an insightful, impassioned, off-the-cuff, hour-long talk by renowned thought leader and Professor of Education at Stellenbosch University, Professor Jonathan Jansen at Citizen Leader Lab’s free School Leadership Forum in Musgrave, Durban on Wednesday 13 November.
Jansen is currently leading what he calls “a double life” – spending mornings volunteering as a turnaround specialist at the Cape flats school which had the lowest matric pass rate in the country, and afternoons at Stellenbosch University, doing his paid for job.
“There is a direct relationship between the culture of the school and the academic results it attains. To improve the academic results, you need to change the culture of the school – but the problem is that the culture is rooted outside of the school,” he explained.
Professor Jonathan Jansen is a curriculum theorist whose research focuses on the politics of knowledge in schools and universities. He is a prolific and respected author, columnist and commentator, known for his views on transformation, peaceful reconciliation and unity.
Sharing the programme was Komala Pillay, CEO of Citizen Leader Lab, a leading Public Benefit Organisation, who highlighted the organisation’s impact in developing leaders who are committed to driving social change by focusing on the human side of leadership. The forum was generously sponsored by the loyalty rewards programme MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet, and venue hosts, Stadio Higher Education, Musgrave campus.
Leadership is about resilience, self-awareness and the ability to uplift those around you. Whether leading a school, a business or a community, the principles remain the same: impactful leaders don’t just respond to challenges – they actively shape the future.
“Now more than ever, South Africa needs leaders who are grounded, reflective and capable of turning vision into action,” said Kate Coleman, Business Development Specialist for Citizen Leader Lab.
• Jansen is launching his latest book: Breaking Bread, a Memoir which is available through Books&Books and in leading book shops.
Change Is Possible
