Walking Together in Leadership

Evelyn Carter

Alright, so before we dive into today’s topic, let’s take a moment to reflect on what we unpacked last time—our conversation about language leaders. Honestly, I think it was one of my favorite episodes because it really hit on the heart of how language preserves identity, don’t you think?

Liam Warragul

Definitely. We talked about how Indigenous languages are at the core of cultural resilience. And, you know, it’s not just about preserving the language but about amplifying it—giving it a platform in schools where it belongs, right alongside English.

Evelyn Carter

Exactly. Plus, hearing those stories from community Elders and Anangu Educators.

Liam Warragul

Yeah.

Evelyn Carter

—it just made everything feel so tangible. Like when we highlighted the young leaders stepping up to teach Pitjantjatjara to the next generation. You could feel their passion.

Liam Warragul

And their responsibility. That was the key takeaway for me. You’re not just teaching words; you’re teaching connection, culture, kinship. It’s this huge, sacred trust. And remember tfhe story shared about how one small school created those early literacy resources completely in Pitjantjatjara? That was such a win.

Evelyn Carter

It really was. I mean, I loved how she said, “This isn’t just translation—it’s creation.” That stuck with me. But, you know, it reminded me how leadership in those spaces goes so far beyond the classroom.

Liam Warragul

Yeah, it’s leadership by living the values, not just teaching them. And that’s the perfect link to what we’re diving into today.

Liam Warragul

Speaking of leadership and living values, one of the first cultural protocols that comes to mind, for me, is tjungu. That whole idea of togetherness. It’s not just a word; it’s a way of operating, you know?

Evelyn Carter

Right, it’s about creating decisions that are genuinely shared. Not just ticking the consultation box but actually sitting in the space together and saying, “Okay, what does everyone think here?” It’s slow, but, in the best way.

Liam Warragul

We all remember the very wise words of our dear friend, Thomas Hampton... he always reminded us all to 'Hurry up and slow down'' and I think this represents today's topic in one simple sentence!

Liam Warragul

Exactly. I mean, compare that to how decisions are often made, and it’s like two totally different worlds. Like, there’s this example I always come back to—a principal who held off restructuring the staff team because they wanted to consult with Elders first at a meeting. That kind of patience—it can be hard, but wow, the difference it makes in trust.

Evelyn Carter

That’s such a strong example. And then there’s ngapartji ngapartji, like this, this idea of reciprocity. It’s not just a principle; it’s kind of the heartbeat of everything.

Liam Warragul

Totally. Like, I remember, there was a school that paused its whole literacy program for Inma season. Not because literacy didn’t matter—of course it did—but because the rhythm of the community needed to come first. And in the end, the literacy push was stronger because it happened at the right time.

Evelyn Carter

That’s so powerful. And honestly, it can be a wake-up call for some leaders coming from outside. Like, I think back to my first time at an Inma ceremony. I’m standing there, kind of in awe of everything—the ceremony, the singing—and it all just clicks. You can’t lead a school here without understanding how deeply those community rhythms shape life.

Liam Warragul

Yeah, it’s not just something you fit into the calendar. It’s the calendar. And as a leader, if you’re not tuned into that—well, it’s like you’re operating in a parallel universe.

Evelyn Carter

So, picking up from what we were saying about leaders needing to Hurry up and slow down, there’s this constant balance, right? It’s knowing when to step back and when to step in. And Liam, I feel like you’ve got a story that really brings that idea to life.

Liam Warragul

Yeah, so there was this principal I worked with a few years back. They wanted to restructure the staff team—pretty big move, right? But instead of just pushing ahead, they took their time, sat with Elders, and really listened to whether it was the right moment.

Evelyn Carter

And was it?

Liam Warragul

Not at all. They realized after those conversations that, culturally, it was the wrong time. The focus needed to be elsewhere, and that restructuring could wait. And because the community felt heard, when they did eventually move forward, the trust was already there. It made a massive difference.

Evelyn Carter

Right, and it’s not just about trust. It’s about alignment—making decisions that actually fit with the rhythms of the community instead of clashing against them.

Liam Warragul

Exactly. Like, here’s another one. During Inma season—a big cultural time—there was this school that paused its literacy push entirely. Not because literacy wasn’t important, but because they understood the, the community’s rhythm had to lead.

Evelyn Carter

And how did it turn out?

Liam Warragul

Better than anyone expected. They waited, respected the space Inma needed, and when the literacy program did roll out, it landed so much deeper because it wasn’t rushed or forced. People were ready for it.

Evelyn Carter

It’s such a good reminder that real leadership isn’t about speed; it’s about timing. And honestly, stepping back like that? It takes a lot of humility.

Liam Warragul

It does. And it makes me think of ngapartji ngapartji, you know? That sense of reciprocity—it’s not just a box to tick. It’s the heartbeat of how leadership should work out here.

Evelyn Carter

Totally. Like, you give something, but you also receive. It’s about a relationship. Not just leading but walking alongside.

Liam Warragul

Absolutely. And, honestly, if you don’t get that, you’re gonna hit walls. Leadership here isn’t just about making decisions—it’s about making decisions with the right people, at the right time.

Liam Warragul

And that’s where it gets tricky, right? Balancing what the department expects with what the community values—it’s like walking that same line of timing and trust. It’s not always an easy fit.

Evelyn Carter

No, not at all. And sometimes it feels like you’re caught in the middle, right? Like, you’ve got deadlines and key indicators on the one hand, and then the community rhythms, which don’t, you know, follow a spreadsheet.

Liam Warragul

Exactly. Take something like child safety, for example, which is non-negotiable. But how you approach those conversations? That’s where the sensitivity comes in. You can't just charge in with a directive—it’s gotta be done with respect and understanding of how the community communicates.

Evelyn Carter

Right. And I think that’s where tools like the PYEC Strategic Plan or getting the School Governing Council involved can be real game-changers. They remind everyone that cultural protocols aren’t, like, roadblocks—they’re resources for stronger decisions.

Liam Warragul

Absolutely. And they’re frameworks, not barriers. Like, I was talking to an Aboriginal leader a while back, and they said, “Leadership means knowing when not to speak.” It, it stuck with me. If you don’t ask the right people first, whatever decision you make isn’t really a decision—it’s just noise.

Evelyn Carter

That’s such good advice. And honestly, it, it plays into something I try to follow—a kind of internal checklist for consultation. Before anything big, I stop and ask: Have I spoken with the right Elders? Have I left enough time for proper feedback? Have I actually heard what’s being said, or just what I wanted to hear?

Liam Warragul

That’s a great way to frame it. And it’s the humility in those questions that matters. Leaders who assume they have all the answers? They hit walls. But leaders who pause and ask the right questions—they move things forward, even if it’s slower at first. This is the impotance of the principal and Anangu co-ordinator working and walking side-by-side on their leadership journey.

Evelyn Carter

And that slowing down? It’s where the magic happens. One principal I worked with said they had to totally rethink their planning to leave room for these conversations. It wasn’t just ‘add to the calendar’—it was ‘restructure the whole system.’ But the trust they built? You can’t fake that, and it paid off tenfold.

Liam Warragul

Yeah. And when you’ve got that trust, it changes everything. I think it’s important for leaders to see protocols as part of a bigger relationship—a cycle of giving and receiving, like ngapartji ngapartji.

Evelyn Carter

Exactly. And when you do that, you’re not just meeting a requirement. You’re building something sustainable, something that lasts because it’s built with the community, not just for them.

Liam Warragul

And building on that, it really brings us to this key idea, doesn’t it? Cultural protocols, shared decision-making, trust, reciprocity—all of that reinforces the importance of walking alongside the community, matching steps rather than rushing ahead.

Evelyn Carter

And it’s about recognizing that leadership here doesn’t follow a manual—it follows relationships. Like we’ve said, the decisions made with co-ordinators, Elders and knowledge holders aren’t just better; they’re sustainable because they come from a place of respect.

Liam Warragul

Exactly. It’s not about perfection, but connection. And really, that’s the big takeaway I hope listeners hold onto—leadership in any context, but particularly ours, isn’t just about moving forward; it’s about making sure no one’s left behind in that process.

Evelyn Carter

So, here’s something for everyone listening: what steps are you taking to build trust before making a big decision? And who do you turn to for guidance?

Liam Warragul

Yeah, that’s the question, isn’t it? Real leadership starts with asking the right questions and listening to the answers, even when they’re not what you expect to hear.

Evelyn Carter

And on that note, that’s all for today. Thanks for joining us, and keep the conversation going.

Liam Warragul

Absolutely. Thanks, everyone. Until next time, take care, and remember—leadership is about walking together.