Episode 18: Managing Complexity: Leadership Resilience

Evelyn Carter

Welcome back to Leading for Impact in Anangu Lands Schools. It's Evelyn here, joined as always by Dan and Liam. And, well, can you believe we’re on episode eighteen? Today we’re diving into managing complexity and building resilience as leaders out here. Such an important topic, especially when it feels like every day brings a new curveball or unexpected challenge.

Dan Harrison

Yeah, I reckon this is a conversation I’m keen for! 'Cause, honestly, if you work out bush, in Anangu Lands, there’s never a quiet moment. And it’s not just the heat or the roadworks—sometimes it’s three different emergencies at once, or you’re wrangling attendance challenges and running late for a meeting with the elders. And you’ve got to keep it together—lead with a clear head. I’m actually curious, Evelyn, what holds you steady when everything’s swirling?

Evelyn Carter

Oh, clarity of purpose. Every time. I remind myself, “What’s our vision? Why are we here?” That sense of purpose, it really anchors me. I know it sounds basic, but stopping to ask, “Does this decision connect back to our values or our big picture?” It helps me filter out the noise. Without that anchor, it’s all too easy to get swept away by, well, everything. What about you, Liam? How do you keep your bearings?

Liam Warragul

Yeah, for me, it’s always been about adaptability—being able to shift and flex. I mean, things rarely go as planned in these schools, right? So, you’ve gotta respond, not just react. Sometimes, that means stepping back—talking with Anangu colleagues, checking in with the community, asking, “Is this the right move for everyone, or just the easy one for me?” That kind of collaborative problem-solving, it doesn’t just help with the solution—it strengthens relationships, too.

Dan Harrison

Mate, absolutely. Actually, that links to something I’ve been thinking: prioritisation under pressure. Like, when everything’s urgent, I ask myself, “What really matters?” I’ll admit, early on, I used to try and do it all—fix every little thing. But now, I focus on the stuff that’ll have the biggest impact. I’ve gotta be deliberate, otherwise I’m just running in circles chasing minor problems and burning out. Do either of you ever feel that pull?

Evelyn Carter

All the time! There’s always more fires than buckets, I say. One thing I’ve found is, I can only be my best for others if my own wellbeing’s in order. You have to look after yourself to lead well. Whether that’s a quick walk, or just shutting the office door for five quiet minutes—if you don’t recharge, you start making hasty decisions, missing things. Wellbeing isn’t just nice to have—it’s essential for good leadership.

Liam Warragul

Yeah, and it’s easy to forget that when everyone needs you. I find building a strong support network makes a difference. Having your peer principals, mentors, even family… those yarns where you can vent or bounce off ideas. Just that act of, “Hey, am I seeing this right?” or “Is my head in the game?”—that perspective, it can help so much with resilience. Leadership’s tough, but it doesn’t have to be lonely.

Dan Harrison

Definitely. Also, reflective practice isn’t just some buzzword—actually sitting down and saying, “How did we go? What could I do different next time?” Not just about mistakes, but also the good stuff—what actually worked? I schedule in time to look back, not just plough ahead. And it’s funny, the more I do it, the clearer my thinking gets when things are tough. It stops me going straight into firefighting mode.

Evelyn Carter

It’s funny how often we talk about growth mindset for students, but rarely for ourselves as leaders. I try hard to model that for my team. If something falls over, well, what can we learn? How do we grow, not just cope? It’s about reframing the setback—as in, “What is this teaching us?” That shift in mindset ripples through the team, makes it safer for everyone to try things, even if they’re not sure they’ll work at first.

Liam Warragul

And that ripple goes both ways, I find. Especially when you’re working alongside Anangu leaders—those partnerships mean you’re not just pushing your agenda, you’re genuinely blending both perspectives. It makes the decision-making slower sometimes, I won’t lie, but it’s so much stronger, more sustainable. You build real trust, and you can see straight away, when we make space for those voices, the outcomes are better for kids, families, and staff.

Dan Harrison

Yeah, I remember last year—a tough one, right? We had to make a quick call about an event—balance cultural protocols, safety, school priorities. It was a classic pressure cooker. We stopped, brought our Anangu leadership partners into the conversation. Slowed things down, sure, but the solution we found—everyone owned it, and it actually deepened trust. If you skip that step, thinking you’re saving time, it falls apart later anyway.

Evelyn Carter

That’s such a good example, Dan. It reminds me—sometimes strength as a leader looks like knowing when you don’t have the answer, and asking the right questions instead. That’s where reflective leadership comes in. And it’s not just for the big, complex decisions either. Even small, everyday dilemmas benefit from a quick check-in: “Is this about the long-term vision, or am I solving today’s panic at the expense of tomorrow?”

Dan Harrison

It’s a balance, isn’t it? You’ve got to juggle the urgent stuff with the important, and not let short-term chaos drive you off the long-term path. Actually, one thing I do is jot down a quick list at the start of the week—“What’s actually going to move us closer to our goals? What’s just noise?” It’s a bit old-school, but it helps keep me focused when things spiral.

Liam Warragul

Yeah, not losing focus is the whole trick, right? And sometimes you only realise you’re off-track when you stop and ask—like, are my actions right now getting us closer to our school’s vision? Or am I just reacting? Having those routines—reflection, honest conversations, checking in with your partners—those are what let you adapt without losing direction.

Evelyn Carter

And as we’re saying all this, I’m thinking, none of it works if you don’t have trust in your leadership team. You need those open lines, and also to be able to admit when you’re stuck. I love ending a meeting with, “What did we learn this week? What nearly tripped us up, or surprised us?” That’s resilience, too—staying curious and open, not shutting down after a setback.

Dan Harrison

Can I just say, I don’t always get it right. I definitely slip into old habits—try to just muscle through or let stress take over. But honestly, that moment when you admit, “Alright, we need a rethink, or fresh eyes on this,” it shifts the mood. Suddenly, there’s more energy in the team, and it feels like, okay, we’re not just surviving, we’re learning and growing together. That’s the real benefit of committing to a resilient, growth mindset, I reckon.

Liam Warragul

Spot on. If you’re listening out there and leading in a complex environment—maybe you’re out on the Lands, or facing your own set of unpredictabilities—be kind to yourself, reach out for support, and remember, you don’t have to know it all. Anchor yourself to your purpose, trust your team, and see every challenge as a chance to learn something new.

Evelyn Carter

I absolutely second that, Liam. And before we close, maybe we’ll leave you with some reflection prompts. Take these back to your teams: Are our decisions anchored to our shared vision? How do we adapt without losing focus? And, how are we modelling resilience for those we lead?

Dan Harrison

That’s a great place to leave it, Evelyn. Thanks everyone for listening—and for being part of this journey with us. We hope today gave you new ideas for approaching complexity with a bit more clarity and heart.

Liam Warragul

We’ll catch you next time, and remember, leadership’s a journey—no one’s got it all figured out yet. Take care, Evelyn, Dan.

Evelyn Carter

Thanks, Dan and Liam. Take care everyone, and see you on the next episode of Leading for Impact in Anangu Lands Schools.