Learn first, lead second - Dr Shyam Barr - Stepping into [ed]Leadership

Learn first, lead second - Dr. Shyam Barr

TEDx talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2wseEW5QKc

Dr Shyam Barr joins us on the podcast to explore the principle of learning first and leading second. Reflecting on advice he received early in his career, Shyam considers how a focus on the learning process shaped his work and why educators, who are rarely formally trained as leaders, need to be intentional about the role they play in every leadership moment.

We discuss self-regulation as an essential foundation for learning, wellbeing and leadership. Shyam explains the close connection between self-regulation, emotional regulation and self-management, and shares why schools need to make learning strategies explicit through approaches such as planning, monitoring, and evaluating. We also consider AI and cognitive offloading, including when technology can support learning and when it may prevent students from doing the thinking that matters most.

Shyam offers practical ways for leaders to study their own minds and show up more intentionally. From journalling before opening the work laptop to using pre-commitment strategies that identify intentions, barriers and responses, he invites us to move from awareness to choice to results. This conversation is an important and timely reminder that our work is not simply to help young people succeed at school, but to help them master a learning system for life.

Credits:

Podcast theme music composed by Julian Ferraretto

Logo Design by Meredith Baker

Photography by Carmen Roberts