“Once you get over yourself,” says Matt King, headmaster of Great Ballard School, you can have “the joy of appointing people who are so much better than you.”

And it's that view that permeates his approach to colleagues, students and family – of every type. He is a headteacher who has an open door policy, celebrates fun, encourages brave thinking, even finds himself proud of a pupil protest. His values are legacies from his parents with an extra one on top, and are things he treasures, nurtures and consciously refers to in times of uncertainty.

We spoke about the values that have helped him take some quite radical steps in education of children from ages 2-16, balancing the necessary disciplines of the curriculum with some quite unusual approaches to lifelong learning.

<p>The post 12: Matt King: the values of education first appeared on Erika Clegg.</p>

Here’s how he introduced the episode:

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Join Em for an inspiring chat with Erika Clegg, a woman on a mission to ignite a values revolution! Erika shares her journey of self-discovery and how uncovering your true values can empower you to live a more fulfilling life. They also delve into the power of vision, overcoming fears, and the importance of self-care. Tune in for a motivating conversation that will leave you ready to embrace your values and create a life of purpose and joy!

About Erika Clegg: Erika Clegg empowers leaders and their teams to identify and express their core values, designing strategies for values-driven programs. With 20 years of experience in brand consultancy and strategic communications, she now specializes in values-driven cultures, conducting workshops and delivering keynotes on leadership and values. As an award-winning speaker for Vistage CEO groups, she supports business leaders across Britain. Erika excels at helping clients navigate complexity, uncover their core principles, and pave the way for growth.

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Simon describes his mission as mentoring, supporting and shaping an optimistic future for the design industry. He uses the global branding agency, DixonBaxi, of which he is co-founder as the platform for this, creating a group of people who make beautiful, original brands that change the world for the better. We spoke about colleagues, clients, creativity and childhood.

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This is where leaders need to ask themselves some difficult questions. Values are the principles we actively choose to guide our decisions, but beliefs are something different. Beliefs are often absorbed unconsciously, shaped by the influence of others – parents, teachers, early bosses – before we ever have the chance to scrutinise them.

If a belief serves us well, it can support progress. But if it limits us, it can quietly dictate the terms of our leadership in ways we never intended.

‘Hard work’ is a classic example. Where does it come from? For many, it can be traced back to a figure of authority in childhood. A parent who valued industry over idleness. A teacher who praised diligence above creativity. A culture that equated long hours with moral worth. Over time, the expectation to work hard lodges itself so deeply that it starts to feel like a personal value.

But is it? Or is it simply the echo of someone else’s?

This matters, because values shape culture. Leaders who operate from beliefs mistaken for values risk reinforcing unexamined assumptions within their organisations. ‘Hard work’ sounds commendable – but if it shows up as burnout or an inability to delegate, it may not be the guiding principle a leader wants to champion.

So how can you tell if something is a true value or a belief shaped by someone else’s values? Here are three questions to ask:

1. Would I still hold this if I had been raised in a different environment? If your value system would be unchanged, it’s more likely to be intrinsic. If not, it’s worth questioning its origins.

2. Does this belief create freedom or limitation? A true value expands possibilities, enabling better choices. A belief, if left unexamined, can act as a constraint.

3. Am I living this by choice or obligation? Values feel like a calling. Beliefs often feel like rules.

The work of an authentic leader is not to inherit assumptions but to define the principles that matter and to use them to build cultures where people and organisations thrive. That starts with knowing which values are yours and which ones were handed to you. The question is, which will you choose?

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Over ten weeks, Doug and I have explored his values and purpose in a whole-life context: broad conversations whittled down to clear insights, with weekly sessions and tasks, following my Values Revolution programme. Despite his packed schedule, he has committed fully to the sessions and the homework, and we are both delighted with the outcome.

It’s an honour to be trusted by someone of Doug’s calibre. In return, I bring wholehearted support, sharp focus and deep listening – tuning into what’s unsaid as much as what’s said, joining dots, and helping talented people see things from fresh angles.

Here’s what Doug said: 

“Erika doesn’t just talk about values; she walks alongside you and coaches you to discover yours. Over a transformative 10-week exploration, I watched Erika unearth the core principles that will guide me for the next decade and beyond. Her unwavering and focused dedication to this process was nothing short of inspiring, generating real clarity for me.

“What sets Erika apart is her rare ability to translate self-discovery into actionable growth. She went deep, questioning, challenging and supporting. This helped me align my personal values with professional aspirations. and achieve greater clarity around both in the process.

“This is not a quick fix, it’s a considered, reflective process that follows the path of deep, meaningful change. For those ready to unlock their full potential, I wholeheartedly recommend joining the Values Revolution.”

If you are at a point of change, don’t hesitate to contact me. Of all I do in my work, helping exceptional people access the tools to make good choices for their next step is one of the things I find most rewarding.

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Respect for human dignity. Freedom. Democracy. Equality. The rule of law. Human rights. Noble ideals, all of them. But on their own, they are just words that sound stirring in speeches and crumble when faced by a force that operates with absolute clarity.

Brexit, unchecked immigration, economic stagnation, pandemic – each has chipped away at unity, leaving a bloc that is reactive rather than strategic. Meanwhile, Vladimir Putin’s intentions are unwavering. He sees himself as the restorer of Russian sovereignty, a man reclaiming what was lost. His actions are driven by this unshakable belief.

And now, enter Donald Trump. Where Putin sees power in historical destiny, Trump sees it in leverage. He treats politics as he does business – deals, assets, land, growth. His latest remarks about NATO make his position clear: if you want America’s protection, it will cost you.

Europe has no comparable vision. It cannot agree on what it stands for, and it certainly cannot articulate where it wants to go. The result? A continent that is on the back foot, responding rather than leading.

One of my stock phrases is: if you haven’t defined your purpose and values, better watch out for the enemy who has. That, I fear, is exactly what is playing out. Putin knows what he wants. Trump knows what he wants. Does Europe?

There is no point in brandishing values unless they are anchored in a clear direction. A future that inspires not just politicians but populations. Without it, those principles will remain just words. And words, as Ukraine has so awfully demonstrated, do not stop tanks.

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This isn’t any old leadership course. It’s a guided, deeply personal exploration of what you stand for, what you want to achieve and how to integrate your values into every aspect of your leadership and life. It goes deeper, higher and bolder than any coaching you’ve had before. If now’s the moment in life you want to tap into something new, exciting and real: this will get you there.

Is This Course for You?

✔ You’re a senior leader who wants to refine your leadership style for greater impact.
✔ You’re navigating change a promotion, business transformation, or a strategic shift.
✔ You want deeper alignment between your personal values and the culture you shape.
✔ You’re ambitious for more not just success, but leadership that is purposeful and enduring.
✔ You are open minded and curious eager to dig deep into what powers you and aim high with what you’ve discovered.

If this resonates, The Values Revolution is designed for you.

What You’ll Gain

Absolute Clarity – Define the values that truly drive you and use them as a decision-making compass.
Stronger Leadership Presence – Lead with authenticity, confidence and strategic intent.
Better Decision-Making – Cut through complexity with values-led clarity.
Cultural Impact – Build and sustain a culture that reflects your values and leadership.
Sustainable Success – Avoid burnout by leading in a way that aligns with your core motivations.

What to Expect

This ten-week programme is a structured yet highly personalised journey, focusing on you, your leadership, and the impact you want to make.

🔸 Weeks 1-5: Defining What You Want Exploring your aspirations, legacy, and impact. You will reflect on what matters most in your leadership and personal life, considering how your ambitions align with your leadership path.
🔸 Weeks 6-7: Identifying and Refining Your Values Discovering the values that truly define you, with guided reflection and a recommendation from me based on your insights. These sessions will challenge and clarify the values that should underpin your leadership.
🔸 Weeks 8-10: Building Your Future Plan Creating a structured action plan to integrate your values into leadership, developing a network that supports your purpose, and identifying specific next steps to ensure you make a lasting impact. The final session is a comprehensive review and action-setting for the road ahead.

Each session includes one-to-one coaching, guided reflection exercises, and real-world leadership applications to help you fully integrate values-driven leadership into your professional life.

Investment

The Values Revolution is a premium leadership transformation programme designed for senior executives, business owners and senior public sector leaders.

Investment: £6,000 – £10,000
Payment plans are available upon request.

What Leaders Say

“Erika Clegg is a human dynamo, combining infectious positive energy with an insightful and shrewd approach to first understanding and then adding value to clients. She creates a challenge and growth environment to best support clients.”
David Sheepshanks, CBE DL

“Her ability to question, to listen, to challenge, to support, to be curious, to hold space, to empathise….and then… distil down the chaos of one’s own world and thinking into a beautifully articulated and eloquently packaged summary goes way beyond a simple ‘zone of genius’! Values DO have power! And by working with Erika to articulate mine, I’ve felt so much more connected with the work, my customers and my team! THAT is HER VALUE!!!.”
David Ventura, Founder, Front & Centre

Book a Conversation

This is a selective programme for senior leaders ready to invest in their leadership transformation. If you’d like to explore whether The Values Revolution is right for you or your senior leaders, book a confidential, no-obligation conversation through Erika’s contact page or contact her on LinkedIn.

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Respect is about valuing the thoughts, feelings and backgrounds of others. Integrity reflects honesty, ethics and trustworthiness. Accountability means taking full responsibility for decisions and outcomes. These are actively embedded into the organisation’s culture.

When Nadella took over, saying “Culture change means we will do things differently” he dismantled the current competitive, siloed environment by championing a growth mindset, encouraging curiosity, collaboration and continuous learning. This cultural shift allowed Microsoft to become a place where people thrive together.

Inclusivity has also been prioritised, and with significant investment in initiatives that bring respect and integrity to life, Microsoft’s actions reflect a commitment to creating an equitable workforce.

The company’s focus on innovation-driven leadership has been equally important. By aligning with long-term goals like cloud computing and AI, Microsoft has committed to substance over trendiness. Platforms such as Azure and partnerships with OpenAI are signs of a dedication to meaningful progress rather than superficial hype.

This alignment between values and purpose has delivered financial success. Under Nadella, Microsoft’s valuation exceeded $3 trillion, Azure became a core revenue driver, and AI investments solidified its position as a tech leader. These achievements are a direct result of values-led decision-making.

Microsoft also avoids the superficiality often seen in the tech industry. Its reputation is built on substance, not hype. The organisation prioritises delivering genuine value to customers and given team members autonomy, build trust and engagement throughout its ecosystem.

In Nadella’s Microsoft, respect, integrity and accountability have revitalised the company culturally and financially. It serves as a powerful reminder of what’s possible when values are not just words but a way of operating. Leaders would do well to ask themselves – what could we achieve by living our values with this kind of commitment?

Nadella’s summary of the depth of this work goes like this: “After all, our products may come and go, but our values are timeless.”

<p>The post Microsoft: How Living Its Values Transformed Culture and Performance first appeared on Erika Clegg.</p>

No Bull is a creative studio that began life in Gateshead, founded by three graduates who had met at art college. They were united by their uncompromising perfectionism and shared passion for creating work that turned heads. Counter-cultural, ambitious and talented, they set out to challenge the norm and build something entirely their own.

The agency grew quickly, drawing clients from across the country, even the world, who wanted work that was fearless, fresh and executed with the precision of master craftsmen. No Bull became known for blending old-school artistry with cutting-edge technology, producing results that were both beautifully crafted and ahead of the curve. Word of their success spread far beyond the North East.

No Bull thrived on momentum. The founders brought an infectious energy and a strong creative vision that defined everything the agency did. Their instinctive decision-making and refusal to settle for anything less than exceptional set the tone. The people closest to them embraced the challenge. This was a place where high standards, and, let’s face it, a demanding environment, were matched by significant industry acclaim for those who delivered.

As the agency expanded, however, and new people joined, not everyone found it easy to adapt. For those who didn’t work day to day with the original trio, the fast-paced, high-intensity culture sometimes came as a surprise. The instinctive way the founders worked wasn’t immediately obvious to those who hadn’t been part of No Bull’s beginnings.

It became clear to the founders that they needed to define the essence of what made No Bull unique. Not to change it, but to ensure anyone joining now knew exactly what it stood for and what it demanded of them.

No Bull values: not for the faint hearted.

When it came to No Bull’s values, they didn’t hold back. They know these values had to pinpoint the heart of this extraordinary business, expressing the essence of difference that underpinned its growth. These weren’t soft or neutral. They were bold, honest and unashamedly direct; just like No Bull.

• Go big or go home: Playing small isn’t an option here. Every project is a chance to push boundaries and deliver work that makes jaws drop.
• Own it or leave it: Mistakes, triumphs, ideas – whatever you bring, take full responsibility. Accountability is a cornerstone of success.
• Call a spade a shovel: Honesty fuels creativity. Say exactly what you mean and expect others to do the same. There’s no room for ambiguity or hidden agendas.
• There’s always a way: Creativity means thinking beyond the obvious, flipping the script and finding the unexpected solution.

These values weren’t designed to please everyone. They were designed to protect the heart of No Bull. They acted as a magnet, attracting those who shared the founders’ vision and repelling those who didn’t.

The people who joined and thrived at No Bull were inspired, resilient and ready to meet the challenges head-on. And crucially: forewarned. The team that emerged was energised by the creative spirit of the agency. They knew what was expected of them, and they delivered. Together, they raised No Bull’s reputation, producing work that clients valued and respected.

For those who stayed, No Bull was an opportunity to be part of something extraordinary.

No Bull lessons

No Bull is a lesson in what happens when values are real and lived, rather than trite and hidden in a handbook.

The founders didn’t shape their values to make things easier or more palatable. They wanted them to ensure that the essence of No Bull – the energy, creativity and boldness that defined it – would endure as the agency grew.

In doing so, they built something remarkable. A place that didn’t just produce exceptional work, but also brought together exceptional people. People who understood the ride they were on and wouldn’t have had it any other way.

So yes, this is a work of fiction, but only to protect the innocent – it contains a great deal of truth. Values shape culture. They guide decisions, inspire action and bring the right people together. Done well, they’re more than words. They’re the difference between a company that merely survives and one that thrives.

<p>The post No Bull’s values: a real values parable first appeared on Erika Clegg.</p>