This article is part of No-Nonsense Advice from Leaders Around the World - a special series featuring written interviews with education leaders, capturing honest reflections and practical insights from diverse global perspectives.

In this interview, we feature insights from Ms. Rachel MacKinnon, the Executive Director of the International Learning Group School. She is an experienced Head of School with a demonstrated history of working in the education management industry. Read more about Rachel here

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In your experience, what piece of leadership advice is overrated or ineffective? Why do you believe it does not work?

“Fake it till you make it.”

In my experience, this advice is not only overrated but can be counterproductive, especially in leadership roles where authenticity, trust, and vulnerability are core to building strong teams.

Why It Doesn't Work Well in Leadership?

Erodes trust;
Suppresses learning and growth, and;
Promotes a culture of pretense

A better alternative would be “Lead with Humility and Curiosity”. Authentic leadership fosters trust, promotes learning, and inspires people more effectively than any facade ever could.

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As a school leader, what is one thing that keeps you awake at night?

As a school leader, one of the things that most often keeps me awake at night is wondering whether we are truly meeting the emotional and psychological needs of everyone in our school community, especially those who may be struggling quietly.

In those late-night moments, I remind myself that leadership isn't about fixing everything alone. It's about building a culture of care, connection, and collective responsibility. I focus on creating systems where people feel safe, empowered, and supported. When well-being becomes foundational, everything else becomes possible.

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What was the most impactful book, documentary, or podcast you engaged with in the past year? How did it shape your leadership perspective?

Engaging with Mel Robbins' Let Them Theory was unexpectedly transformative for me as a school leader. The core idea is simple: when people act in ways that trigger frustration, disappointment, or control instincts - let them. Let them be who they are, let them make their choices, let go of the urge to manage others' perceptions or behaviors.

It taught me that leadership isn't about managing people, it's about managing myself. Sometimes the most powerful act of leadership is stepping back, trusting the process, and letting people show you who they are.

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Which three tools or software do you use regularly to enhance your leadership effectiveness, and why?

Google Workspace (Docs, Drive, Calendar, Forms) - It enables seamless coordination across staff, helps me gather and analyze input through Forms, and keeps key planning documents centralized and accessible via Drive;

ChatGPT - Whether I'm drafting communications, preparing for a difficult conversation, brainstorming ideas for professional development, or synthesizing data, ChatGPT helps me clarify my thinking and move faster;

Toddle - It helps teachers collaboratively plan units, reflect on practice, and document student learning in a coherent and connected way. As a leader, it gives me insight into what's happening in classrooms and where support is needed. It also helps with communication, reporting, and attendance.

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As you reflect on your leadership journey, what is one thing you plan to start, one you intend to stop, and one you will continue doing this year? Please elaborate on your choices.

Start: Building More Peer-Led Structures for Growth. 

I plan to start creating more opportunities for staff to lead each other through peer coaching, collaborative inquiry groups, and teacher-led PD. Why? Leadership shouldn't live at the top. Empowering others to lead deepens ownership, taps into collective expertise, and fosters a culture of continuous learning. I've seen how energized people become when they have space to influence their environment meaningfully.

Stop: Taking On More Than I Should. 

I intend to stop overfunctioning and saying “yes” to everything out of habit or guilt. Why? It's unsustainable, and it unintentionally sends the message that I don't trust others to lead. Letting go of control creates room for capacity-building and ensures I'm focusing on the highest-impact work, not just the most urgent. Leadership is about stewardship, not self-sacrifice.

Continue: Leading with Transparency, Honesty, Integrity, and Compassion. 

I will continue modeling vulnerability, clear communication, and empathy in all my interactions. Why? Especially in education, people thrive when they feel seen, heard, and supported. Whether it's being honest about a tough decision or taking time to listen to a teacher's concern, I've learned that compassionate leadership builds resilience, loyalty, and trust within the community.

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What is one professional or personal experience that every school leader should attempt this year? What makes it so valuable?

Shadowing a Student for a Full Day. 

One of the most eye-opening experiences a school leader can undertake is to shadow a student, start to finish, for an entire school day. That means walking through the halls when they do, sitting in the same classes, following their schedule, and even eating lunch with them.

It's easy to lead from a distance when your days are filled with meetings and strategy. Shadowing reminds you what learning and school feel like, physically, emotionally, and socially, from the student's perspective. Leadership is most powerful when it's rooted in proximity. Shadowing a student helps you re-align with your core purpose and make decisions with sharper insight, deeper compassion, and renewed urgency.

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What opportunities do you see with artificial intelligence (AI) in education this year? How do you envision AI transforming the future of schooling and education?

Personalized Learning: AI can adapt lessons and feedback to meet each student's needs, supporting faster, more tailored learning.

Teacher Support: Tools like ChatGPT or Toddle AI help streamline planning, grading, and communication, freeing up time for deeper student engagement.

Equity and Access: AI tools can bridge gaps for multilingual learners and students with disabilities, improving inclusivity.

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What is the most underappreciated professional development avenue for upskilling or reskilling in the field of education? Why should more leaders consider it?

Participating in (or creating) peer-to-peer professional learning communities. Whether through virtual cohorts, collaborative inquiry groups, or even informal educator networks on platforms like LinkedIn.

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If you were to choose a dish or a drink that symbolizes Global Citizenship Education (GCED), what would it be and why?

Bread! Bread exists in every culture - naan, pita, tortillas, injera, baguettes. Each is unique, yet made from the same basic ingredients. Like Global Citizenship Education, it symbolizes our shared humanity through cultural diversity. Bread brings people together, across tables and traditions. GCED does the same - nurturing empathy, connection, and collective responsibility in a globally interdependent world.

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Which thinker has profoundly influenced your approach to educational leadership? What key insights have you drawn from them?

While many people and thought leaders have shaped my educational philosophy, the person who has most profoundly influenced my approach to leadership is my dad. He taught me to lead with integrity, put people before processes, and stay humble no matter the title. 

His example reminds me that true leadership isn't about control. It is about character, compassion, and consistency. Those lessons shape how I show up every day for my school community.

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Please share a quote/message that reflects your philosophy on education and educational leadership

“Be the change you wish to see in the world.” – Mahatma Gandhi. 

This quote reflects the core of my philosophy on education and leadership. As an educational leader, I believe that modeling the values we hope to instill – empathy, curiosity, resilience, and integrity – is the most powerful form of influence. Change in schools doesn't start with policies, it starts with people. It begins with us.

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Recommend an inspiring educational leader committed to education for global citizenship and sustainable development.

If you know an inspiring education leader whose no-nonsense insights should be part of this series, we would love to hear at publications@globalcitizenshipfoundation.org‍