Frequently asked questions.

Browse our library of short videos, explaining key concepts of the work that we do for public sector organisations.

Skip to Videos
  • What role could AI play in alleviating workload burdens?

    At the Australian Institute of Teachers and School Leadership (AITSL), they are coming from the perspective of AI in understanding firstly what is at the core of the human interaction between a teacher and their learners and how best to preserve that and then how they can use AI to enhance that learning. Tim Bullard, CEO of AITSL, explains this further in this FAQ. Listen to his full episode here

  • What is your advice to those who push back on taking time out?

    Listen in as Tim Bullard, CEO of the Australian Institute of Teaching and School Leadership, explains that everyone has a choice in how they manage their time. Over many years of working with schools and school leaders, Tim has often seen how these leaders don’t see that looking after themselves is a real benefit to learners, and how he has spoken at many inductions where he will tell leaders that taking time for yourself will mean that you are more available for others. Tim urges organisations to think really carefully about this in this FAQ. Listen to his full episode here

  • What are your thoughts on the link between adaptability and engagement?

    The link between adaptability and engagement is very strong for a good reason, especially in the teaching profession, as teachers come to work wanting to make a meaningful difference to children and young people and can feel disheartened when they feel they can’t. With the complexities in teaching, which have only increased since COVID-19, adaptable teachers know how to use their knowledge and skills in that environment, and they can leave the classroom at the end of the day knowing that they have made a real difference. Tim Bullard, CEO of the Australian Institute of Teaching and School Leadership, explains this and its counter in this FAQ. Listen to his full episode here

  • What are some ways to help others become more adaptable?

    Firstly, it’s important to recognise that volatility, uncertainty, and ambiguity in the world are here to stay. As a result, we really need to adjust our way of working. Secondly, that recognition can cause discomfort for ourselves and others when dealing with that complexity. Tim Bullard, CEO of the Australian Institute of Teaching and School Leadership, talks about how important it is for organisations to build a real sense of team as while as an individual we may not have all the answers, as a team, you probably do. Listen to his full episode here

  • What are some of the signs of change fatigue in workers?

    You can see change fatigue and burnout in the disposition of your teams, but leaders mustn’t confuse stress with burnout as they are different. Stress is short-term adrenaline when you’re under pressure and, if well managed, can be really productive, while burnout is more of a cynicism, disconnection, and an unwillingness to participate. Tim Bullard, CEO of the Australian Institute of Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL), explains further the red flags that can be a sign of burnout in this FAQ. Listen to his full episode here

  • What are some examples of reverse mentoring?

    Tim Bullard, CEO of the Australian Institute of Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL), provides an education context on how the perspectives and advice from younger generations of teachers can impact the engagement of younger people in learning. Tim shares how AITSL has used advice from young teachers to develop 30-second and 1-minute bites demonstrating practice and support for teachers and how these produce excellent results. Listen to his full episode here

  • How has adaptability affected your engagement in your career?

    Tim Bullard, CEO of the Australian Institute of Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL), knows too well how adaptability can directly influence your engagement at work, having managed the Department of Education and then the Department of Education, Children, and Young People in Tasmania through tremendous amounts of change. He reflects on these experiences in this FAQ. Listen to his full episode here

  • Is adaptability an innate trait, or can it be learned?

    Like many human dispositions, adaptability can come naturally to some, such as those who embrace change and are always looking for the next opportunity or adventure. Others, though, need the certainty of their job and don’t necessarily cope well with changes in their environment. But it doesn’t mean it can’t be developed. Tim Bullard, CEO of the Australian Institute of Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL), provides his perspectives in this FAQ.  Listen to his full episode here

  • How important is it for leaders to provide their workforce with space to learn?

    Past research has shown that in brain science, having a growth mindset and openness to learning new things results in much higher performance than having a closed mindset. Tim Bullard, CEO of the Australian Institute of Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL), explains how, in terms of productivity and staff engagement, he has found that a growth mindset sits front and centre and how he often challenges leaders and teachers to think about where and how they can build those professional learning communities and other bodies where they come together and have a real focus on learning. Listen to his full episode here

  • How can people take a step back and reflect?

    In short, it’s personal. Only individuals will understand what gives them joy and what makes them feel physically and mentally well. Tim Bullard, CEO of the Australian Institute of Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL), shares his perspectives on how organisations need to make time to come together as a team, celebrate success and have a sense of humour to help build that physical and mental wellbeing of your team, as it will serve you over time in this FAQ. Listen to his full episode here

  • How can leaders leverage the knowledge, talent, and skills of every generation in their workforce?

    There is much to learn from every generation – from the graduate teachers to the veteran teachers in the education industry. From an experienced leader’s perspective, having younger employees in the workplace can be really motivating. Older generations weren’t usually encouraged to contribute when they were starting out in their career. Still, Tim Bullard, CEO of the Australian Institute of Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL), always encourages teaching graduates to speak up because they have a perspective on the world that others in older generations don’t have. They have ideas that people in these generations haven’t even seen. Tim discusses this further in this FAQ. Listen to his full episode here

  • Is a high IQ a strong predictor of leadership capability?

    A few decades ago, there was a long-held assumption in literature that you would go a long way in your leadership capability if you were smart and had a high IQ. Looking back at that literature today, things have changed. While a high IQ may be necessary, it's not sufficient, and the strongest predictor of leadership capability is, in fact, having a growth mindset. Listen in as Dr Rachel Bacon, Deputy Commissioner of Integrity, Reform, and Enabling Services at the Australian Public Service Commission, explains this further in this frequently asked question.

  • What does it mean to have a growth mindset?

    After much examination and discussion, Dr Rachel Bacon, Deputy Commissioner of Integrity, Reform, and Enabling Services at the Australian Public Service Commission, explains how a growth mindset comes down to elements of learning agility. Perhaps an even simpler answer is being open and willing to learn and try new things. Listen in as she explains this further in this frequently asked question.

  • Is it ok for leaders to not admit they have made a mistake?

    It's not ok for leaders to cover up, deny a mistake, pretend, or hide there was a mistake. Listen in as Dr Rachel Bacon, Deputy Commissioner of Integrity, Reform, and Enabling Services at the Australian Public Service Commission, explains how in her experience at an institutional level, in reviews when something has gone terribly wrong or there has been a failure, covering it up is often just as bad if not worse than admitting there was a mistake in the first place. It undermines trust and confidence at an organisational level and a cultural level. Rachel provides insights on the importance of leaders showing vulnerability and how this opens the path to a pro-integrity culture that's innovative and where everyone feels psychologically safe.

  • How can building networks within your cohort be valuable?

    Building networks within your cohort is incredibly valuable as it can help you act with a cross-agency and one-APS mindset. Listen in as Dr Rachel Bacon, Deputy Commissioner of Integrity, Reform, and Enabling Services at the Australian Public Service Commission, provides an example of this from the Indo-Pacific Academy course being run as part of the APS Reform Agenda and the powerful connections and outcomes she's seen.

  • What advice would you give leaders experiencing significant change?

    Listen in as Dr Rachel Bacon, Deputy Commissioner of Integrity, Reform, and Enabling Services at the Australian Public Service Commission, shares her perspectives on dealing with and approaching change from an adaptable and learning mindset. Rachel talks about working through change with a curious and open mindset, which helps you shift your thinking to the opportunity that the change presents. She also discusses the importance of resilience and perseverance with the stuff that's less fun.  

  • How can leaders evolve their approach to developing younger workforces?

    Janet Schorer, Chief Delivery Officer for TAFE NSW, shares her perspectives on how leaders need to approach the younger workforce with a sense of empathy, understanding what it means to be a young person starting their career in today's world and having an appreciation that it is different to where you were, and how they can lean on their experiences to help ease the pressure of burnout.

  • How have workplaces changed throughout your career?

    Janet Schorer, Chief Delivery Officer for TAFE NSW, details how the workplace has changed over the past ten years in this frequently asked question: how this change has affected the sense of connection and belonging, and the task that people leaders have to create a sense of belonging within their younger workforces that mirrors that of the workplace environments of twenty years ago.

  • How do you keep your teams motivated through change?

    As an experienced people leader, Janet Schorer, Chief Delivery Officer at TAFE NSW, knows that the sharpest motivator for any workplace is a connection to purpose and how anchoring a purpose can be in times of change and uncertainty. Listen in as Janet explains this further and gives advice on aligning purpose to your own values and how this can guide your career choices.

  • How do you stay true to yourself when helping others?

    What do you stand for? It may appear to be a simple question, but understanding what you're about and what kind of leader you want to be when you're at your best, and your worst is important to think about because it can help you to take the right opportunities that are aligned to your own values. Listen in as Janet Schorer, Chief Delivery Officer at TAFE NSW, explains this further in this frequently asked question.