Embracing Leadership in a VUCA World: The eNACt Leadership Program at Nowra Anglican College

As a leader, it’s been a goal of mine to create a program that focuses on staff development and leadership growth. After much thought and planning, together with Brendan Gorman, Deputy Principal- Learning and Innovation, we introduced the eNACt Leadership Program at Nowra Anglican College. I’m excited to share that we are already diving into our first module, Leading Self, and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed engaging with our staff in the Professional Learning Teams.

Our discussions over the last couple of weeks have centred on two key focus areas: empathy and solving complex problems. These topics are integral to the AITSL Middle Leadership Standards and resonate deeply with the challenges that we, as educators, face on a daily basis.

Rather than simply discussing leadership in a VUCA (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, and Ambiguous) world—a term that has been widely used to describe the challenges of the modern world—I introduced a fresh perspective I learned from Kristen Douglas of Headspace: leading in a VUCA world with Vision, Understanding, Compassion, and Agility.

Leading in a VUCA World

When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, schools across the globe were forced to quickly adapt to a radically different reality. Suddenly, the ability to pivot became critical. In the face of an unpredictable and rapidly evolving situation, it was no longer about simply managing challenges—it was about navigating uncertainty with a clear vision, empathy, and flexibility.

During that time, many problems that had been simmering beneath the surface were laid bare. But amid the chaos, there were also opportunities for growth, learning, and change.

Upon reflection, I made a conscious decision to continue learning during the pandemic—taking full advantage of online webinars and professional development opportunities that allowed me to grow as a leader. This is when I first came across the concept of leading with Vision, Understanding, Compassion, and Agility. It resonated deeply with me, and I’ve carried this approach forward in my leadership style.

The eNACt Program: Empowering Staff to Lead with Purpose

Our eNACt Leadership Program was designed with the goal of helping all staff members better understand themselves as leaders. By fostering self-awareness, we can become more effective in addressing the complex challenges that we continue to face in education and beyond.

At the heart of this program is the belief that when we empower our staff to lead with empathy, and adaptability, we create an environment where everyone—staff, students, and families alike—can thrive. Leadership isn’t just about guiding others; it’s about leading ourselves first. The eNACt program will give our staff the tools to do just that.

Looking Ahead: The Impact of Leadership on Our Community

As we move forward with the program, I am confident that the leadership skills our staff develop will have a lasting and meaningful impact. By focusing on leading self in our first module, we are equipping our educators with the tools they need to tackle not only the challenges we face today but the ones we will encounter in the future.

In the end, our goal is simple: to serve the young people and families that make up our school community. By investing in our staff and developing strong, compassionate leaders, we ensure that our school is not just adapting to the future—we’re shaping it.

Lorrae Sampson
Principal