Ep76: Norman Hunter, Educational Leader & Author

Today, my guest is Norman Hunter, an Educational Leader and Author. In this episode, Norman shares insights into his upbringing, educational background, and experiences as a school teacher and principal. We chat about Norman’s book, ‘Between the Idea and the Reality: Decision making for the Thinking Educational Leader,’ a book that explores the central role of reasoning behind the many decisions that school leaders make each day. Norman reflects on the importance of understanding human factors in leadership and the significance of recognising individual talents. We discuss the significance of multiple points of view and how to approach this ambiguity when engaging with stakeholders within a school context. We chat about The Beatles song, ‘The Long and Winding Road’ as a metaphor for the complexities and uncertainties of life and the quest for purpose that is often ambiguous and not straightforward. Norman emphasises the importance of combining cognitive and intuitive approaches in educational leadership, and the importance of understanding the values and beliefs that underpin a community, particularly in a school setting.