Patrick first became a principal in 2006, one of the few black school leaders in the UK at the time. Over the next two decades, he learned to lead through the highs and lows of the role, from navigating imposter syndrome and everyday pressures to experiencing moments of joy and hard-won progress—and to do so calmly.

At the heart of this book is Patrick’s “CALM” leadership model, which entails:

• Confronting uncalm feelings
• Adapting to the feeling of leadership
• Leading people with humanity and understanding
• Maturing into the leader you are meant to be

This model offers a framework for managing stress and maintaining a positive outlook so that readers can sustain leadership roles in the long term. This book addresses a part of leadership that’s often overlooked: what it actually feels like to lead. The central message of this book is that leadership doesn’t have to be a burnout job—it can be a source of joy, fulfilment and lasting impact.