Sometimes, there are certain quotes or phrases that stay with you. I’m sure we can all think of some.

“The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.” – Lao Tzu

“That which does not kill us makes us stronger.” – Friedrich Nietzsche

“There’s no such thing as bad weather – only the wrong clothes.” – Billy Connolly

Heraclitus, a Greek philosopher from around 500BC, is widely recognised as being the owner of the quote “change is the only constant in life.” A very quick internet search will find a myriad of variations and inspirational graphic representations of Heraclitus’ wise words and I’m sure if he’d had the vision (or a time machine) back then he would have patented it.

But this quote (and Billy’s wise weather words, obviously) is one that I keep coming back to time and time again. Perhaps it is partly to do with the passing of time, but in education - and indeed across society – it is one truth that we can all identify with.

My latest change has been joining the Education Scotland Professional Learning and Leadership Team earlier this year as Lead Specialist for System Leadership. Prior to that, my professional journey took me across various roles; Primary Teacher, Headteacher and Local Authority Officer. I’ve seen change throughout my time in education – some necessary, some through circumstance, some expected, some not so. But all change impacts on who we are and what we do, not just as educationalists but also as humans.

How we all learn and contribute as individuals and citizens across our varied and many communities (yes, these capacities do sound familiar and are still, I believe, hugely relevant.)

As a Lead Specialist, I have the wonderful opportunity to lead and facilitate the new prototype 'Making Sense of System Leadership' programme, which is launching as we head into 2023. Following on from previous system-based programmes ('Evolving Systems Thinking, Leading Systems Change') MSSL is aimed at deepening understanding of what effective school and system-level leadership looks like and how we can develop professional networked learning that can make sustainable improvements for learners across Scotland. And at a time of change, challenging circumstances and complex issues, it is important that professional learning can provide headspace to explore creative and brave approaches to leadership across our many faceted systems.

Another great quote - at the end of the day people won't remember what you said or did, they will remember how you made them feel. – Maya Angelou.

These words, for me, highlight one of the most important values I learned from others; inspiring leaders, nurturing colleagues, lifelong friends. It is also, I believe, at the heart of what it means to be a successful leader.

Relationships are everything.

I have loved many aspects of my career path in education, but what has always resonated with me and plays such a central role in who I am and what I strive to do, are the people I have had the privilege to work with and the relationships that have been forged throughout.

A question that I also like to consider is what inspires us? Or to put it another way, what is it that gets us out of bed in the morning and motivates us to keep doing what we do?

I believe that working within education is a privilege and should be exciting, challenging, rewarding – and let’s be honest it can be all of these things, often before we even reach mid-morning! But for me, putting relationships at the heart of what we do, valuing and trusting people for who they are and leading with a moral purpose are the vital pillars of any successful system. And the more that we can take opportunities to learn, share, explore and enact these, the better the outcomes for our schools, society and everyone can be.

So, yes, change may be our only constant (that, and the need to pack a kagoul all year round) but isn’t it exciting to know that we can have the collective efficacy to harness change and make it work positively across our systems, regardless of the uncertainties we may face?

Now that is something worth getting out of bed for.