Breakout Session 3 - 13th May at 3:45 - 4:30
Healthy Meerkatting – The Strategic Pause for Sustainable Leadership
| Presenter/s: | Michael Fletcher |
| Type: | Workshop / facilitated discussion |
| Keywords: | Pause, Meerkat, Thrive |
Abstract
In the relentless pace of modern education, many leaders find themselves in survival mode, acting as ‘crumb givers’ who leave the best of their energy for work and only the leftovers for their friends and whānau. To truly Empower Educational Leaders, we must challenge the narrative that self-sacrifice is a prerequisite for success.
Drawing on the whakatauki Ka mua, ka muri, Michael Fletcher shares his journey from a burnout-induced crash to a leadership style built on ‘thrivesting’. This workshop introduces Healthy Meerkatting: the intentional act of lifting your head, scanning your landscape, and thinking strategically before acting.
Using a bicultural framework that weaves Te Whare Tapa Whā with the practical ANA Model (Awareness, Needs, Actions), attendees will move beyond ‘firefighting’ to reclaim their energy. This workshop will provide a facilitated space to debate current leadership dilemmas including ‘putting ourselves first’ and the ‘G word’ and design a future where thriving is the norm. You will leave with practical tools to shift from ‘one day’ to ‘day one’ of leading with clarity, mana, and sustainability.
Biography
Michael Fletcher
Michael Fletcher is a Leading Principal, accredited coach, and founder of ArrowKat with over 30 years in education. After his own journey from burnout to balance, Michael now specializes in “holding space” for leaders to develop “Healthy Meerkatting”—the art of pausing to lead with clarity. A Kiwi-Pom and improv performer, Michael weaves relatable storytelling with bicultural frameworks like Te Whare Tapa Whā to help leaders move from surviving to thriving.