What actually makes an effective leader?

In this episode of the SLT Podcast, Ziggy Moore sits down with Bukky Yusuf — teacher, science consultant, senior leader, examiner, leadership coach and EdTech mentor — for an honest conversation about leadership, confidence, influence, relationships and personal development.

Together, they explore Bukky's 10 leadership verbs, the importance of communication, navigating workplace politics, psychological safety, challenging others constructively and knowing when a leadership role or organisation is not right for you.

The conversation also examines why talented educators sometimes struggle to progress, the internal and external barriers that can hold leaders back, and how coaching can help aspiring and established leaders develop clarity, confidence and conviction.

From finding your voice in senior leadership spaces to recognising the difference between coaching and mentoring, this episode challenges educators to rethink what effective leadership really looks like.

Sponsored by Uniform Education, the official recruitment sponsor of the SLT Podcast.

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⏰ Chapters:

0:00 – Uniform Education sponsor introduction
0:49 – Introducing Bukky Yusuf and her leadership experience
1:49 – What actually makes an effective leader?
2:59 – What Bukky wishes she knew before becoming a leader
3:36 – Confidence, identity and the inner work of leadership
5:21 – How communication shapes leadership presence
7:12 – Bukky's journey into senior leadership
8:38 – Why leadership is about relationships
9:16 – Can a competent leader fail without trust?
9:43 – What matters more: competence or relationships?
12:44 – Challenging decisions and psychological safety
13:07 – Bukky's experience in a difficult leadership environment
15:24 – How to challenge people constructively
16:41 – Why doing excellent work isn't always enough
18:38 – Understanding workplace politics and influence
21:52 – Why talented leaders get overlooked
22:15 – Finding your voice in senior leadership spaces
23:35 – Why not every leadership role is right for you
24:15 – Finding your personal leadership values
25:35 – Communicating effectively with different audiences
27:09 – How leaders can sound more confident
28:33 – Why coaching can transform leadership
30:23 – The experience that changed Bukky's confidence
32:19 – Coaching vs mentoring: What's the difference?
33:38 – Who can benefit from leadership coaching?
35:08 – The gap between capability and self-belief
36:31 – Breaking through internal and external barriers
37:37 – Quick-fire leadership questions
39:16 – The leadership verb Bukky found most challenging
40:41 – Why sleep and wellbeing matter for leaders
42:10 – How to connect with Bukky Yusuf
42:27 – Supporting the SLT Podcast community
43:53 – Final reflections and outro

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📢 About SLT Podcast:

Hosted by Rena Johnson — Deputy Head, Designated Teacher, SENDco & DSL — and Ziggy Moore — Assistant Headteacher & Founder of Moore Education — the SLT Podcast is a bi-weekly series featuring powerful conversations with leaders doing impactful work in education and youth development.

Each episode creates space for honest discussions about education, leadership, safeguarding, school culture, personal development and the real challenges facing educators and young people today.

#SLTPodcast #BukkyYusuf #SchoolLeadership #EducationLeadership #LeadershipDevelopment #LeadershipCoaching #TeacherDevelopment #WomenInLeadership #EffectiveLeadership #SeriousLeadersTalking