She Leads Because She Can
We believe that there is a need to provide support for female school leaders, who want to thrive and grow within international school settings.
In this series of fortnightly podcasts, we share our own lived experiences and the hard-hitting realities which have shaped us as successful leaders within the sector.
Each podcast forms a topical conversation which is experienced-based; sharing truths, sound council and suggested solutions.
We aim to be a source of courage, confidence and practical solutions to keep others ' leading because they can'.
She Leads Because She Can
#33 Being Brave and Doing It Anyway with Leisa Grace Wilson
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In this episode, we sit down with Leisa Grace Wilson to explore the leaps of faith that have shaped her life and career. From her bold decision to relocate to the UAE, to stepping away from school leadership to pursue her passion for journalism, Leisa has consistently chosen courage over comfort — and she's refreshingly candid about how she does it.
Leisa opens up about her approach to self-doubt, sharing the self-talk strategies she uses to quiet her inner critics: facing negative thoughts head-on with facts, and making a deliberate, intentional choice to be brave. Her philosophy? Do it anyway — and if it doesn't work out, you'll figure it out from there.
She also gets honest about what truly challenges her in her work: people who aren't upfront about what's really happening on the ground. Authenticity and straight-talking matter deeply to her. Leisa also speaks passionately about women supporting women, framing it as a reciprocal relationship and urging listeners to be the person who gives someone else that important push when you can see their potential — even before they can.
Leisa leaves us with three pieces of advice to carry into our own lives:
- Try lots of different things — you never know what will stick.
- Everyone starts as an amateur — commit to consistent practice and you will improve.
- Only what YOU think of yourself matters — the most important opinion is your own.