In this episode, Joshua and Angela explore the metaphor of the spiral staircase to rethink how we experience learning and leadership growth. Angela shares insights from her 15-year journey in primary education and leadership—culminating in her role as deputy head during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic—and recounts a powerful mentoring anecdote that illustrates how reflection, perspective and implementation drive deeper progress each time we revisit familiar challenges. ⏱️ Timestamps & Highlights 00:00 – 02:00 | Welcome & IntroductionsJoshua welcomes Angela, who outlines her 15-year teaching career, leadership roles (phase leader → assistant head → deputy head in 2019–20) and current work mentoring early-career teachers in Lambeth. 02:00 – 05:00 | The Spiral Staircase Metaphor Linear vs circular views of learning Spiral staircase: circling back at a higher vantage point Relevance to life and leadership 05:00 – 14:00 | Core Components of Spiralling Learning Reflection – Pausing to analyse experiences Perspective – Adopting a growth-orientated, humble mindset Implementation – Applying new insights to measure real progress 14:00 – 20:00 | Mentoring Anecdote: A Lesson in HumilityAngela recounts a meeting where she inadvertently spoke over an early-career teacher. Initial shock, shame and self-doubt Reflections on intentions versus impact Perspective shift: modelling humility rather than stepping aside Implementing new behaviours to rebuild trust Outcome: a stronger mentorship relationship and broader leadership growth 20:00 – 24:00 | Fixed vs Growth Mindset & the Role of HumilityJoshua highlights how Angela’s story demonstrates: Moving beyond “I’m just not cut out for this” to “How can I grow?” Embracing mistakes as invitations to go deeper rather than failures to avoid 24:00 – 28:00 | Practical “Why” Questions for LeadersAngela suggests reflective prompts to climb the spiral more intentionally: “Why did this happen?” “Why was I triggered?” Exploring underlying beliefs and emotions for richer context Measuring growth by comparing “what I know now” with “what I knew before” 28:00 – 30:00 | Closing Thoughts & Call to Action “Learning isn’t about ticking boxes; it’s layering wisdom on wisdom.” Lean into the spiral when you feel stuck. Invite listeners to suggest future prompts via LinkedIn. 🎙️ Key Take-Aways Spiral Staircase Metaphor:Revisiting challenges isn’t regression—it’s elevation. Each return offers a new vantage for deeper learning. Three Pillars of Spiralling Learning: Reflection: Pause and analyse what happened and why. Perspective: Adopt a growth mindset and humility. Implementation: Apply new insights to gauge tangible progress. Humility in Leadership:True growth often involves confronting shame, reframing mistakes and modelling vulnerability. Actionable Questions:Use “why” prompts to uncover root causes and chart next steps: Why did this happen? Why did I respond this way? What can I do differently next time? Measure Your Growth:Compare current capabilities with past ones: “What do I know or do now that I couldn’t before?” 🔗 Resources & Connect Joshua Okunlola (Host):LinkedIn Angela Gaisie (Guest):LinkedIn Podcast Contact & Feedback:Share episode prompts or reflections via LinkedIn message to Joshua or Angela. Lead with curiosity. Embrace the spiral. Take it easy!