I recently finished reading “The Culture Playbook” by Daniel Coyle, and as always, his writing left me inspired. His books are accessible yet powerful, filled with practical ideas that leaders can apply immediately.
As a leader, I truly believe that culture is the heartbeat of any successful organisation. The moment you walk into a school or any workplace, you should be able to feel its culture. It is reflected in the way people greet each other, collaborate, and speak with purpose.
At Rushmore, as a founding school, shaping that culture from the ground up has been one of our greatest privileges and responsibilities. We have worked intentionally to build an environment where staff feel supported, trusted, and challenged. It is a place where everyone knows the direction we are heading and how we will get there together.
Open and honest communication has been central to this journey. Listening to feedback from staff, students, and parents, and acting on it, has helped us continuously evolve and improve. Culture is not something that is written on a wall; it is something that is lived every day through our actions, our conversations, and our shared commitment to each other.
Creating a culture you can feel takes time, intention, and care. When it is built on trust, purpose, and shared values, it becomes the foundation that makes a school truly special.