Beyond Yoga Classes: The True Essence of Flourishing Leadership
Written by Andrew Murray, former Principal and Director, Lumina Consulting
Let’s talk about flourishing. It’s not just about doing well personally but thriving collectively, too. For educators, this means finding ways to thrive amidst the daily challenges of teaching, leading, and balancing life. Professor Tyler VanderWeele from Harvard University gives us a pretty inspiring take on flourishing. He says it’s “a state in which all aspects of a person’s life are good”—basically, complete well-being. He breaks it down into five key areas: happiness and life satisfaction, mental and physical health, meaning and purpose, character and virtue, and close relationships. Think of it as a checklist for living your best life!
Now, what does that mean for school leaders? We know leadership isn’t a one-size-fits-all gig, and the Māori model of Te Whare Tapa Whā helps us see the big picture. It’s a framework that compares well-being to a house with four walls: taha tinana (physical health), taha wairua (spiritual health), taha whānau (family health), and taha hinengaro (mental health). If one wall gets shaky, the whole house is at risk. For example, imagine a school leader focusing entirely on taha tinana by promoting physical activities but neglecting taha hinengaro, leading to unchecked stress and burnout among staff. For educators, it’s a great reminder to keep all parts of ourselves in check and encourage our teams to do the same. After all, a balanced school environment benefits everyone.
We spend so much time at work, so it’s no wonder it’s a huge part of flourishing. Leadership plays a big role in making workplaces spaces where people can truly thrive. Here are some questions worth reflecting on:
How do I show gratitude and encourage mindfulness at work? Are my staff happy and fulfilled?
Do I model physical and mental well-being? Are there opportunities for healthy habits during the day?
How do I connect our school’s mission to a sense of purpose for the team?
How do I promote character and growth? Are there pathways for professional development?
Am I building trusting relationships? Are mentoring and coaching part of our culture?
Courtney Ackerman, a guru in positive psychology, has some great tips for flourishing. She highlights five traits we can all aim for:
Attention Management: Focus on what truly matters.
Intentional Time Use: Spend time on meaningful goals.
Continuous Improvement: Keep learning and growing.
Communication and Feedback: Listen well and adapt.
Commitment to Positivity: Find joy and build resilience.
Take, for example, a principal who embraced these principles by starting each staff meeting with a brief gratitude exercise. Over time, this practice created a noticeable shift in the school’s culture—staff began sharing positive stories about their week and recognizing each other’s efforts. It wasn’t just about boosting morale; it fostered deeper connections and set the tone for collaboration. Leaders who take these ideas to heart aren’t just helping themselves—they’re setting the tone for their entire team.
Culture isn’t just a buzzword—it’s the glue that holds everything together. Dr. David Givens describes it as “the entire database of knowledge, values, and traditional ways of viewing the world…transmitted through words, concepts, and symbols.” In schools, culture shows up in small but meaningful ways—like a friendly smile in the hallway or a collaborative team meeting. These moments build community and trust.
After the disruptions of the pandemic, rebuilding culture is more important than ever. One school, for example, found success by introducing weekly 'connection mornings' where staff could share wins, challenges, and ideas over coffee. This simple ritual re-established trust and fostered a sense of belonging. Similarly, they redesigned shared spaces to include collaborative seating areas, encouraging informal conversations and teamwork. The goal?Create a school environment where everyone feels they belong and can do their best work.
Here’s the thing: not all cultures are created equal. The State Services Authority of Victoria nails it when they say, “Dysfunctional cultures lead to disengaged staff and underperformance.” On the flip side, schools with strong, positive cultures thrive even in challenging times. Case studies show that feedback, recognition, and shared values go a long way in reducing turnover and boosting collaboration.
Al Lopus’s FLOURISH model offers a roadmap for building a thriving workplace: Fantastic Teams, Life-Giving Work, Outstanding Talent, Uplifting Growth, Rewarding Compensation, Inspirational Leadership, Sustainable Strategy, and Healthy Communication. When these pieces come together, the result is magic. Without them? Disengagement and burnout.
Let’s be real: flourishing leadership is about way more than yoga classes or morning teas (though those are nice, too!). It takes vision, intentionality, and follow-through. Even recruitment plays a part—we need to think about how candidates will contribute to a flourishing culture.
Leadership inspired by ecological systems teaches us how to support staff during tough times, foster resilience, and find meaning even in disruption. For example, a school undergoing significant changes in staff structure implemented a peer-support program where educators met weekly to discuss challenges and share solutions. They coupled this with reflective practices, like journaling sessions led by team leads, which allowed staff to process emotions and adapt to new roles more effectively. It’s all about giving people tools to thrive.
Marianne Williamson said it best: “As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.” When leaders embrace flourishing, it lights up the whole organization, paving the way for purpose, joy, and excellence.
I’m excited to dive into this topic even deeper at NES 2025. Let’s talk about resilience, cultural cohesion, and practical leadership strategies to help schools and educators truly thrive. Join me in Brisbane and Melbourne—let’s create workplaces where everyone flourishes together.
Andrew is presenting in the Wellbeing for Future Focused Schools Conference Brisbane on 31 July - 1 August 2025 at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, and Melbourne on 28 - 29 August at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre.
Bibliography
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Lopus, A. (2022). A Flourishing Workplace: Thriving Rather Than Surviving. South Barrington, Illinois: Global Leadership Network.
State Services Authority of Victoria. (2013). Organizational Culture. Melbourne: State of Victoria. Retrieved from www.vic.gov.au/organizational-culture.
VanderWeele, T. J. (2017). “On the Promotion of Human Flourishing.” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, U.S.A., 114(31), 8148–8156. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1702996114
Williamson, M. (1992). A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of A Course in Miracles. HarperOne.