The Art of Teaching

David is one of the world’s leading authorities on personal and organisational productivity. He is the creator of Getting Things Done, widely known as GTD, and the bestselling author of Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity, Ready for Anything and Making It All Work. His work has helped millions of people manage commitments, reduce mental overload and create greater clarity in their work and lives.

David is the founder and chairman of the David Allen Company, which delivers GTD training and coaching around the world. More recently, he co-authored Team: Getting Things Done with Others, extending the principles of GTD into collaboration, leadership and shared work.

This is the second time I have had the privilege of speaking with David. In our first conversation, we explored the foundations and practical application of GTD. This time, we look back at the origins and evolution of his work, consider how we sustain clarity in an increasingly complex world, and reflect on meaningful goals, attention, direction and what matters most now.

Amber Fuller is a substantive Deputy Principal, currently working as a HALT Talent Pipeline Advisor with the NSW Department of Education. She is a Highly Accomplished Teacher and serves as a committee member of the NSW HALT Association.

 

Amber is committed to growing expert teacher capacity across the NSW public education system by supporting aspiring and accredited HALTs through innovative, practical approaches that embed the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers into everyday practice. She is passionate about teacher quality, professional learning, and developing teacher leaders who create lasting impact for students, colleagues, and schools.

Andy Brown is currently a Senior Education Officer in Education Scotland, with a specific interest in Mathematics.  Andy was appointed as the first National Specialist Adviser for Mathematics to the Scottish Government in 2024. In that role he bridged policy and practice, working closely with ministers, policy officials, academics, schools and settings, and wider stakeholders. Much of Andy’s current work focuses on the Curriculum Improvement Cycle for Mathematics in Scotland. Andy has been involved in education for over 20 years. He has held roles as a Secondary Teacher of Mathematics, Faculty Head, Depute Head, and Interim Head Teacher of two schools in the Highlands of Scotland. Andy has worked for Education Scotland since 2019 as a Senior Education Officer of Numeracy and Mathematics, and Senior Education Officer of Curriculum Innovation.  He was also appointed as Fellow of the Academy for Mathematical Sciences as part of their inaugural cohort.

Here are a few links to the resources we talked about in the episode: 

Curriculum Improvement Cycle – Education Scotland

Next steps in curriculum improvement - gov.scot

Curriculum Improvement Cycle (CIC): Early Draft Sample materials June 2026 – Curriculum Improvement Cycle

Glenn Solomons helps educational consultants scale and school systems design professional learning that works. He started his career as a high school teacher and school leader before moving into educational consulting, working with organisations including Catholic Schools NSW, the University of Sydney, and the Tasmanian Department of Education.
Today, Glenn runs Cheeky Learning, where he helps educational thought leaders design scalable online courses and learning systems that extend their impact well beyond the room. He's worked with more than 50 organisations to turn deep expertise into learning experiences that are practical, engaging, and built to last, because he's convinced that professional learning doesn't have to be dry to be rigorous, and that brilliant ideas shouldn't be gatekept by geography or budget

Today I am joined by Shane Leaning. Shane is a Shanghai-based organisational coach who works with international schools around the world. He supports school leaders and teams to strengthen culture, collaboration and meaningful change.

He is the co-founder of Work Collaborative and co-author of the best-selling book Change Starts Here. Shane also hosts Education Leaders, a podcast featuring impactful interviews with renowned thought leaders and deep dives into school trends and strategies from around the world, all designed to support school leaders in their leadership journey.

Through his work across Asia, the UK and beyond, Shane brings a rich international perspective and a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing school leaders today.

Shane’s book, Change Starts Here: https://workcollaborative.com/get-the-book/

Leadership Intensive Programme: https://educationleaders.co/intensive/

Education Leaders Podcast: https://educationleaders.co/podcast/

Lottie Dowling is the Director Of Education at Culture Agents, the Australasia Lead at Inspire Citizens and a life long learner specialising in Global Citizenship/Competence, Intercultural understanding and Student Leadership. She has worked in education 25 years+ as an educator and PD facilitator on a global, national and regional levels and run networks of schools working on pedagogical change and whole school improvement. She designs student programs and works with young people to build their global capabilities. She believes in the transformative power of education for all young people.

Today, I’m joined by Scott D. Anthony, Clinical Professor of Strategy at the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College, whose work focuses on the adaptive challenges posed by disruptive change.

Scott is the author of nine books, including his latest, Epic Disruptions: 11 Innovations That Shaped Our Modern World. The book was selected for JPMorgan’s Next List, which recognises cutting-edge ideas across technology, business, financial markets, the arts and culture.

Before joining Dartmouth, Scott spent more than 20 years at Innosight, the growth strategy consultancy founded by Harvard Business School Professor Clayton Christensen.

His influence on the field of innovation is widely recognised. Thinkers50 named Scott the world’s fifth most influential management thinker in 2025, after naming him the world’s leading innovation thinker in 2017.

In this conversation, we explore the innovations that have shaped modern life, what history teaches us about disruptive change, and how leaders can respond thoughtfully when the future feels uncertain.

It is a privilege to welcome Scott D. Anthony to The Art of Teaching. 

Adriano Di Prato is an experienced educator, executive leader, author and podcast host whose work continues to shape conversations about learning, leadership and the future of education.

With more than thirty years of experience across schools, higher education and global advisory practice, Adriano brings a rare depth of wisdom, clarity and purpose to his work. He has led significant improvement across student outcomes, governance, strategy and organisational culture, while continuing to champion the human side of education.

He is the co-author of the bestselling book Game Changers: Leading Today’s Learning for Tomorrow’s World, co-host of the Game Changers podcast, and a respected voice in educational leadership across Australia and beyond.

This is the second time I have had the privilege of speaking with Adriano, and I am truly in awe of the work he does. He leads with both vision and heart, and every conversation with him leaves me thinking more deeply about what it means to serve, lead and create meaningful change in education.

I hope you enjoy this conversation with the brilliant Adriano Di Prato.

Here his amazing TEDx talk. 

A career spent at the sharp end of human services tends to clarify your priorities. After decades in executive roles across the sector, Andrew eventually served as NSW Public Guardian, leading an organisation safeguarding the rights and dignity of people who depend on others to make decisions in their best interest. Andrew then made a late career change by transitioning to the ‘best job in the world’ – being a teacher. Working in alternative education with young people who don’t always fit neatly into other settings, his approach is grounded in nervous system support —creating calm, predictable and empowering environments and taking every available opportunity to treat young people with dignity and respect.

Amy Berry PhD has worked in education for more than 20 years as a teacher, researcher, author, and professional learning facilitator. She is the creator of The Engagement Hub and is widely recognised for her work in learner engagement, agency, formative evaluation, and play-based learning. Her work has supported educators across Australia, the United States, Asia, and the Middle East.