The Wellbeing Strategy Hiding in Plain Sight. Are You Missing This Opportunity?

When I walk into schools, I often see leaders searching high and low for the next wellbeing strategy — a new initiative, a shiny program, something different that will make a real impact. 

But one of the most powerful wellbeing strategies is sitting right in front of us, and most schools don’t even realise it. 

It’s not a new program. 
It’s not another event. 
It’s not even a budget line item. 

It’s how you conduct your performance conversations. 

For many schools, these conversations are treated as a tick-the-box activity — something to “get through.” A compliance exercise. 

But done well, these conversations are a golden opportunity to: 

• Celebrate how hard people are working 

• Acknowledge the impact they’re creating 

• Build self-efficacy and professional confidence 

These moments can make staff feel seen, valued, and energised — the very ingredients that drive engagement and wellbeing. 

The problem? 
Without the right tools, many leaders unconsciously slip into evaluative mode. They focus on what’s missing, what hasn’t been done, or vague “areas for improvement.” 

This approach often leaves teachers feeling patronised or deflated — like they’ve been talked at, not coached with. And that’s a missed opportunity. 

Performance conversations are not meant to be performance reviews. They’re meant to be meaningful coaching conversations that recognise strengths, clarify impact, and help staff see their own growth. 

This is why I spend so much of my time running leadership workshops on mentoring frameworks and recognition strategies. Because when leaders have the right coaching tools, they can turn a “have to” meeting into a genuine wellbeing strategy — one that boosts morale, strengthens trust, and lifts performance. 

So as Term 4 rolls on, here’s my challenge to you: 
👉 Take a fresh look at how your school approaches performance conversations. 
👉 Are they a compliance activity… or a moment of connection, recognition, and growth? 

If you want to learn simple, powerful frameworks for turning these conversations into wellbeing strategies, let’s talk. It doesn’t take more time — just a shift in mindset and language. 

Because the way we talk to our people is one of the most powerful wellbeing tools we have.