Projects

Thriving Couples in Leadership Retreat

"How do we invest in our relationships with our partners so we can both thrive in our International School contexts?"

Senior leaders and their partners in international school contexts often balance intense leadership demands with the challenges of expat life. Many face frequent transitions, intense community visibility, and a range of competing personal and professional roles.

Heads and Principals in international schools and their partners often balance intense leadership demands with the challenges of international life. Many face frequent transitions, intense community visibility, and a range of competing personal and professional roles; unfortunately, the impact on these relationships can be brutal. At the Bangkok ELC conference last October, we hosted a workshop on this topic, and over 40 people attended, contributing rich wisdom to the conversation. In response, we are piloting a new initiative called the Thriving Couples in Leadership Retreat in Bintan, Indonesia (close to Singapore) that supports these couples in a relaxed and collegial manner from March 6th-8th, 2026.

This project is a partnership between Leadership Lab Global and EARCOS (East Asian Regional Council of Overseas Schools).

If you are a Head or Principal please consider registering and please share with your colleagues too.

Registration are open now and places are limited to 18 couples (36 people) in March 6-8th 2026. If you are interested in applying to be part of the Thriving Couples in Leadership Retreat please fill out this Registration form

Click on “Read more” below for more information

EARCOS Leadership Learning Collective

"How do we grow a learning collective of International School senior leaders across Asia?

The Leadership Learning Collective has been designed as a new way for senior leaders in international schools to engage in leadership development. Part leadership retreat, part speaker series, and part peer coaching, this experience is a 10 month leadership journey, for a group of 36 senior leaders. 

This project is a partnership between Leadership Lab Global and EARCOS (East Asian Regional Council of Overseas Schools).

The experience is designed specifically for senior leaders from international schools in the Asia region, (i.e. those who oversee school-wide initiatives such as Heads of School/Principals, Deputy/Assistant or Vice Principals and other Directors of Learning etc).  Applications are invited from two leaders per school and places are limited to 36 people. The rationale for this is so that the pairs can collaborate on projects together and this also makes the transfer of learning back to schools easier.

The content and process of the Leadership Learning Collective will develop leaders self-awareness, connections, agency, confidence and competence; with a focus on three leadership themes:

1. Leadership identities – reflections on personal and professional identities; 
2. Building collaborative cultures – collaboration for collective impact;
3. Designing for impact – systems transformation in educational contexts.

The Leadership Learning Collective journey begins in September 2025 and concludes in May 2026. During this time participants will gather together for two 2-day face to face retreats hosted at International School Bangkok ISB and also reconnect online between the retreats for interactions on leadership themes with guest speakers, and peer coaching. 

Applications are open now and places are limited to 36 in the first year.

Click on “Read more” below for more information

International School of Bangkok – Thailand

"How do we update our strategic vision and develop our leadership capacity to implement it?"

Our involvement

• Leadership development
• Strategy facilitation and culture change
• Coaching and mentoring

Between 2015 and 2017, I was engaged by the International School of Bangkok (ISB) to design and implement a strategic planning process with an extensive range of stakeholders, including parents, students, teachers and Board members.  Through this process, ISB was able to upgrade its vision, mission, values and strategic direction.

Later, in 2018-2023, I worked with the extended ISB senior leadership team by undertaking Leadership 360 profiles and coaching with 12 senior leaders. This involved each leader selecting up to 20 colleagues to provide feedback on the leader’s performance. Several coaching sessions with each leader allowed them to gain self-awareness to inform their leadership development.

Testimonial

Chris challenges existing perceptions and protocols and offers alternative ways of thinking. What sets Chris apart from other consultants is that he does not come with a ‘prepared package’. Instead, he listens until he has a good picture of the school’s context, strengths and weaknesses, and then begins to draw out options for moving forward. All of this is done collaboratively – with the school, not to the school.

Reference from International School of Bangkok ISB for Idea Creation

American International School of Guangzhou-China

"How do we develop the strengths and teamwork of our senior leadership team through the COVID years?"

Our involvement

• Leadership development
• Coaching and mentoring

After meeting Kevin Baker at the EARCOS Spring Heads Retreat in Phnom Penn, I was engaged by Kevin as his leadership coach from 2019 through to the present.  During the COVID years, I supported the American International School of Guangzhou (AISG) senior leadership team as they worked from remote locations around the globe. During 2022 and 2023 we engaged two of our team members; Rochelle Faimalo and Jade Beaman to provide individual and team Clifton Strength coaching for the SLT. In 2024 I spent two days in Guangzhou continuing the work with Kevin and his AISG team.

Testimonial

It would be my honor and pleasure to write a testimonial for your international schools leadership and strategy website! Kindly, Kevin Baker – School Director AISG kbaker@aisgz.org 

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Singapore International Schools Leadership Programme

"How do we enhance innovation through facilitating collaboration across international schools in Singapore?"

Our involvement

• Leadership development
• Strategic culture change

I met Dan Brown (Assistant Head of College – Dulwich Singapore) in 2012 and we discussed the idea of developing a leadership programme that could be made available to all international schools in Singapore. This ‘Singapore International Schools Leadership Programme’ was to be offered at an affordable cost, allowing a wide range of schools to register groups of leaders each year.  The Singapore International Schools Professional Learning Network hosts this programme and Greg Jansen and I have offered this programme for the last 10 years with over 500 leaders from over 20 schools.

In 2020, we developed a second programme called the ‘Singapore International Schools Extending Leadership Programme‘. This programme is designed for the Level 1 programme’s alumni and senior leaders in international schools. As part of the Extending Leaders programme, participants facilitate a public event called “Lead-Up” for all schools across Singapore.

The following schools have been involved over this 10 year period.  GESS – German European School Singapore, Tanglin Trust School,  Nexus International School (Singapore),  Dulwich College (Singapore),  NPS International School- Singapore.  Dover Court International School,  North London Collegiate School,  Stamford American International School, Singapore,  Marlborough College Malaysia,  One World International School Singapore.,   Dulwich College (Singapore) United World College Singapore, Canadian International School.

EXPRESSION OF INTEREST Please email us if you are interested in the next cohort of this programme which opens in July 2025

Testimonial

“Chris is an excellent facilitator who helps groups and individuals engage in really deep thinking about their own leadership. He bases his training on evidence of what has the most impact on student learning. Chris is very easy to work with and helped co–created what we wanted from the leadership programme in a flexible and creative manner. ”

Dan Brown – Assistant Head of College – Dulwich Singapore daniel.brown@dulwich.org

United World College UWC-Singapore

"How do we design a leadership programme that develops our internal leadership capacity and reconnects our organisational culture?"

Our involvement

• Leadership development
• Strategy facilitation and culture change
• Coaching and mentoring

In 2013, we were approached by United World College Dover in Singapore through meeting Primary School Principal Brian O’Maoileoin at the EARCOS Leaders Conference. The initial engagement for my colleague Greg Jansen and I was a strategic planning day with the campus senior leadership team. An outcome of this day was identifying the need to develop the internal leadership capacity of the College to create internal leadership progression pathways. A design group was formed to scope the needs and undertake the detailed design of the programme. As a result, we implemented a leadership programme with 30 leaders each year for the next 5 years, which consisted of three x two-day workshops combined with leadership projects and Action Learning Groups. In 2019, we trained a range of facilitators within UWC and mentored them as they continued facilitating the programme. This programme continues to operate successfully today.

In 2021 we worked closely with the High School SLT in facilitating a two-day leadership retreat focussed on leadership strengths and strategic direction.  This is continuing in 2025 with two other retreats for the high school and middle school leadership teams.  Over the last 3 years, I have been providing leadership coaching for Seema Desai (High School Principal), Rebecca Smith (Middle School Principal) and Ellie Alchin (Director of Teaching and Learning) including Clifton Strengths coaching.

Testimonial

“Working with Chris has had a deep impact on my leadership journey. His coaching sessions have empowered me to ask better questions, think more strategically, and step into situations with greater confidence and clarity. Most importantly, he has given me the courage to take bold action, embrace challenges, and to lead with conviction and compassion.” – Seema Desai – High School Principal

“There are many consultants currently providing leadership training. However, we were looking for someone to work with us rather than talk at us. Chris and Greg’s gentle, good humour and understated approach fit the needs of our school extremely well. Their knowledge is undeniable, and they quickly managed to gain the respect staff. The UWC Leadership Programme has been a considerable success.” – Frazer Cairns – Head of Dover Campus

Reference from United World College

Taipei European School-Taiwan

"How do we overcome toxic conflict through growing a positive collective leadership culture"

Our involvement

• Leadership development
• Strategy facilitation and culture change
• Coaching and mentoring

Intially in 2010 I was engaged to support the school as they merged their Primary and Early Years sections.  This involved numerous workshops to build culture, address conflict and create strategy.  From 2015-2020 TES engaged me again to design and implement a leadership programme for middle and senior leaders.  The design included face-to-face workshops, Action Learning Groups and individual change projects.

During that time I was also engaged in coaching several senior leaders over that time mainly via zoom. This included supporting them into their subsequent roles at international schools in other countries.

Testimonials

“Working with Chris and Leadership Lab was transformative for both our school and my personal leadership journey. Your deep historical knowledge of the school, having worked with multiple leadership teams over the years, provided invaluable continuity and context. Combined with your balanced external perspective and thoughtful suggestions, your contributions left a lasting impact on our leadership and strategy. Personally, the individual coaching sessions were transformative, offering clarity and actionable steps that continue to influence my leadership journey.” Dr Luke Cheater (Principal) 

“Your leadership programmes brought valuable insights and practical strategies that strengthened our team’s capacity. What stood out most was your unassuming approach and remarkable ability to simplify complex strategies, making them accessible and actionable for everyone. You created an environment where all voices were heard, bringing people together with balance and clarity” Aidan Stallwood (Deputy Principal)

EARCOS Leadership and Counseling Mentoring Programmes

"How do we harness the extensive EARCOS network throughout Asia to develop leadership mentoring relationships to support growth and minimise isolation in senior leaders?"

Our involvement

• Coaching and mentoring

The EARCOS network of over 1000 schools across Asia has an enormous and largely untapped potential to grow leadership capacity by sharing expertise, experience and support. Prior to 2019, an initial version of the Earcos Leadership Mentoring Programme ELM was designed including a comprehensive online training package for potential mentors to complete before participating. Unfortunately, the unintended consequence of this was that less than 10 leaders were involved in ELM at that stage.

In 2019, I was asked to work alongside Bill Oldread to review ELM with a view to leveraging the EARCOS network more fully. We co-facilitated a 1-day pre-conference co-design workshop at the EARCOS Leadership Conference in Kota Kinabalu, Borneo, where we invited the 30 interested leaders who attended to help us deconstruct and reconstruct the ELM programme.

Based on this feedback we made four fundamental changes and in January 2020 this new format for ELM was promoted through the EARCOS database. Two weeks later COVID-19 started to make its presence felt across the Globe and to our enormous surprise we had around 100 leaders sign up for the ELM programme by the end of February 2020.  These leaders were paired based on their preferences and mentoring began.

Over the last 5 years this ELM network has grown with a total of 236 people registering to be involved and 154 currently active in the programme.

In late 2023 a new mentoring network for international school counsellors was offered called EARCOS Counselling Mentoring ECM. This operates in a similar way to the ECM except all pairing are peer-to-peer relationships.  There have been 124 registrations over this period with 46 currently active in the ECM programme.

Registration for both the ELM and ECM is available throughout the year.

ELM sign up

ECM sign up

St Josephs International School-Singapore

"How do we reorientate our strategic vision to align with emerging needs and opportunties across Singapore?"

Our involvement

• Strategy facilitation and culture change

I initially engaged with Dan Brown, who at that time was Deputy Head of Learning at St Josephs International School. Together, we designed a middle leadership programme, which we later extended to all schools in Singapore (see Singapore International Schools Leadership Programme).  I also facilitated a strategic planning process with the Senior Leadership team.  My engagement with SJI continued for many years as I coached several senior leaders in various roles.

Testimonial

“From 2015 Chris worked with us as a consultant – running our middle leadership programme, supporting the senior leadership team with strategy and coaching some of our leaders. I am happy to endorse Chris as an outstanding consultant and facilitator” – Bradley Roberts – Principal High School

Reference from St Josephs International School

Canadian International School-Singapore

"How do we grow our governance and leadership capabilty to prepare us for the emerging future?"

Our involvement

• Leadership development
• Strategy facilitation and culture change
• Coaching and mentoring

In 2018, I was engaged by the Board of the Canadian International School Singapore to design and facilitate a strategic planning process.   This involved collecting feedback from all stakeholders and analysing global and local trends in order to develop a clear set of Strategic Priorities for 5 years and an action plan to address these.

We followed this up with two Leadership programmes for 30 middle leaders each year in order to build the leadership capacity to meet this challenge.

In subsequent years, CIS also participated regularly in the Singapore Leadership Programme.  I was also engaged to coach a number of senior leaders across the school over two years.

Testimonial

“I have had the pleasure of working with Chris at two previous schools – the International School of Tanganyika and the Canadian International School in Singapore. In both locations, we invited Chris to work with our mid-level leadership groups. Each school had academic heads of department and grade-level pastoral leads. Chris was able to work with these mid-level leaders to improve their skills in team-building and meeting facilitation. He stressed the importance of having the mid-level leaders push school initiatives forward. One of these mid-level leaders indicated, “the PD sessions with Chris were among the best I have ever participated in.” Chris also provided one-to-one coaching sessions with senior leaders. He has a wealth of knowledge, is easy to work with and helps people build their capacity and skills to work in complex organizations and systems. – Jeff Smith – High School Principal (jsmith@kisnet.org)

International School of Kenya (ISK)

"How do we reorientate our strategic vision to align with emerging needs and opportunties globally?"

Our involvement

• Leadership development
• Board Strategic facilitation and culture change

In 2015 I spent a week in Nairobi working alongside the International School of Kenya (ISK).  This involved facilitating a governance retreat with the Board, and offering a two day leadership workshop with senior and middle leaders. I was also engaged in providing leadership coaching with the Head of School – John Roberts.

International School of Tanganyika (IST)

"How do we grow our governance and leadership capabilty to prepare us for the emerging future?"

Our involvement

• Leadership development
• Board Strategic facilitation and culture change

In 2015 I spent a week in Tanzania working alongside the International School of Tanganyika (IST) in Dar es Salaam.  This involved facilitating a governance retreat with the Board, and offering a two day leadership workshop with senior and middle leaders.

Testimonial

“I have had the pleasure of working with Chris at two previous schools – the International School of Tanganyika and the Canadian International School in Singapore. In both locations, we invited Chris to work with our mid-level leadership groups. In each school, we had academic heads of department and grade level pastoral leads. Chris was able to work with these mid-level leaders to improve their skills of team-building and meeting facilitation. He stressed the importance of having the mid-level leaders push school initiatives forward. One of these mid-level leaders indicated, ” the PD sessions with Chris were among the best I have ever participated in.” Chris also provided one to one coaching sessions with senior leaders. He has a wealth of knowledge, is easy to work with and helps people build their capacity and skills to work in complex organizations and systems. – Jeff Smith – High School Principal (jsmith@kisnet.org)

Garden International School-Malaysia

"How do we extend our senior and middle leaders' capacity in order to address our strategic goals?"

Our involvement

• Leadership Development
• Coaching and mentoring

Having worked with Nexus International School in Singapore which is owned by Taylors Group.  This resulted in the invitation to work with another Taylors school in Malaysia – Garden International School.

This work involved designing and implementing leadership programmes with two groups of 30 middle leaders across the campus aligned with the schools Strategic goals. These were delivered face-to-face at their Kuala Lumpur campus. I also provided leadership coaching for three senior leaders based on a Leadership 360 profile.  Each of the leaders select over 20 colleagues to provide feedback on their leadership style and over several coaching sessions, we debriefed this feedback, bringing new perspectives on self-awareness and leadership development.

Markham College – Lima, Peru

"How do we grow our governance and leadership capabilty to prepare us for the emerging future?"

Our involvement

• Leadership development
• Strategy facilitation and culture change

My colleague Greg Jansen and I spent a week in Lima, Peru, supporting Markham College. This involved facilitating a two-day strategic planning workshop with the senior leadership team and then a two-day workshop for around 40 middle and senior leaders.  This has two results: 1) A large quantity of feedback and contribution to the school’s Strategic Plan and 2) A strong sense of collective engagement and commitment to implementing this plan across the school’s two campuses.

Nanjing International School-China

"How do we develop the strengths of our senior leadership team through 360 profiles and coaching?"

Our involvement

• Leadership Development
• Coaching and mentoring
• Strategic thinking

I connected with Laurie McLellan at the EARCOS Spring Heads Retreat in Phnom Penn, where we reflected on my work with his innovation team at a prior conference in Suzhou the previous year.  Laurie engaged in a Leadership 360 profiles which involved him selecting over 20 colleagues to provide feedback on his leadership style.  Over several coaching sessions, we debriefed this feedback, which brought some new perspectives for Laurie to add to his strong self-awareness and to inform his leadership development. In 2024, I spent two days in Nanjing facilitating an SLT retreat focussed on developing the strengths of his team and inducting two new senior leaders into this team. Coaching is ongoing with some of these leaders.

Testimonial

“I have worked with Chris Jansen over the last 8 or so years on a number of different projects. He worked with our Strategy Team as we explored non-traditional flat leadership. He led an EARCOS Heads retreat where there was time for deep reflection about leadership work. He came to NIS recently to work in transitions and strengths coaching for our leadership team. I have also had the pleasure of working with Chris in a personal 360 profile and coaching role. He is calm, well prepared, has excellent listening skills. All my colleagues have learned with Chris and enjoyed the process. I highly recommend him. Laurie McLellan,  Director, lauriemclellan@nanjing-school.com

PD Academia – Asia

"How do we collaborate to provide high quality leadership development opportunties across Asia?

Our involvement

• Coaching and mentoring
• Conference keynotes and presentations

I met Michael Iannini from PD Academia through a mutual colleague in 2016.  We decided to explore collaboration, which led to Michael inviting me to contribute to a keynote address and a two-day workshop as part of the ACAMIS 2019 Education Conference – Strategic Planning: From Vision to Implementation based at Suzhou Singapore International School in China.

Later, in 2018, we collaborated again by co-facilitating a Strategic planning workshop for international schools in Hong Kong, China. Michael has also provided some mentoring training for our EARCOS Leadership and Counseling Mentoring Programmes.

Testimonial

“Change isn’t easy, nor is it received very openly. Chris, however, through his interpersonal qualities and keen intellect, manages to inspire others to not only envision what is possible but instil confidence in them to pursue that vision. He has been a personal mentor and friend of mine for close to a decade and his council was instrumental to PeerSphere’s growth”. – Michael Iannini CEO PD Academia

Ola Fou Network – Pacific

"How do we support the development of Pasific nations through growing their leadership networks?"

Our involvement

• Leadership development
• Strategy facilitation and culture change
• Coaching and mentoring

to add

Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Niue, Tokalau

NZ Aid and Aus Aid funded development programme

Testimonial

It would be my honor and pleasure to write a testimonial for your international schools leadership and strategy website! Kindly, Kevin Baker – School Director AISG kbaker@aisgz.org 

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Nexus International School – Singapore

"How do we transform our reputation through growing our leadership capacity in order to address our strategic goals?"

Our involvement

• Leadership Development
• Strategic facilitation and culture change
• Coaching and mentoring

Nexus International School (NIS) in Singapore has undergone an enormous transformation over the last 10 years.  Its owners, the Taylors Group, initially acquired the school in a very struggling state with a view to increasing its reputation to become a premier school in Singapore. This involved a multi-year strategic process of building leadership and teacher capacity, developing pedagogy and curriculum, and eventually building a new school on a different site.

My colleague Greg Jansen and I have been involved with NEXIS since 2015 in various ways. Working closely with the Heads of the School – Stuart and Rosie Martin, we undertook strategic planning with the Board and Senior leadership team.  This identified the need to develop the internal leadership capacity and to create internal leadership progression pathways. Over 10 years, we have designed and implemented leadership programmes with many groups of middle leaders across the campus aligned with the school’s Strategic goals. Greg has also provided extensive training for leaders and teachers in Restorative Practices and has continued coaching with several senior leaders.

The International School of Yangon – Myanmar

"How do we develop the strengths of our senior leadership team through 360 profiles and coaching?"

Our involvement

• Coaching and mentoring

After meeting Dr Gregory Hedger at the EARCOS Spring Heads Retreat in Phnom Penn, I was engaged to undertake Leadership 360 profiles and coaching with Gregory and his deputy Director Sandra.  This involved each leader selecting up to 20 colleagues to provide feedback on the leader’s performance. Several coaching sessions with each leader allowed them to gain self-awareness to inform their leadership development. In subsequent years, I have repeated this process with three other senior leaders.

Testimonial

“I highly recommend the TLC 360 leadership profile and coaching sessions conducted by Chris Jansen at The Leadership Lab Ltd., based on the positive experience of The International School Yangon’s Leadership Team. Over several years, five members of our team have actively participated in these sessions, which have now become an integral part of our regular professional development cycle. We have found the TLC 360 to be one of the most impactful tools for understanding our individual leadership styles, gaining insights into our motivations, and identifying our personal and professional goals for the future. This transformative experience has not only enhanced our leadership capabilities but also fostered a deeper sense of collaboration and growth within our team.” – Dr Gregory Hedger – Director, director@isyedu.org

Yokohama International School – Japan

"How do we develop the strengths and teamwork of our senior leadership team through the COVID years?"

Our involvement

• Leadership development
• Coaching and mentoring

After meeting Craig Coutts (Head of School) at the EARCOS Spring Heads Retreat in Phnom Penn, Cambodia we collaborated on the development of the new EARCOS mentoring programme that was launched in 2020.

With the emergence of COVID-19, I was engaged by YIS to offer numerous online leadership workshops with the schools Senior Leadership team and some ongoing mentoring programme with Craig

Testimonial

I have worked with Chris in different programmes over the past 15 years, but more recently, we worked with Chris to look at developing leadership capacity within our school and also through the leadership mentoring programme, which Chris leads in conjunction with EARCOS. Chris has helped us in creating meaningful support for our leaders through the identification of authentic situations we face everyday in international schools and highlighting the essential need for explicit leadership learning. Chris is easy to work with, has a calm and engaging manner and speaks from experience and care and I have been grateful for the opportunity to work with him. Craig Coutts – Head of School, couttsc@yis.ac.jp