Workshop Description: Register Today

Leadership transitions are among the most consequential moments in the life of an international school. Yet research suggests the average tenure of international school heads has fallen to just 2.8 years, with nearly 80% leaving their positions within three years. Why are leadership transitions so difficult—and how can schools use them as moments of strategic opportunity rather than instability?

Drawing on survey data from 241 international school leaders across 74 schools, this session explores the lived experiences of leaders navigating their first years in a new role. The findings reveal patterns in expectations, governance dynamics, early leadership challenges, and the support structures that most influence success.

Participants will learn key insights from the research, including the common transition “minefields” leaders face and the conditions that enable confident, future-focused leadership. The session concludes with five practical recommendations for boards and leadership teams to transform transitions into powerful catalysts for school stability, strategic momentum, and long-term leadership success.

Target Audience: School Leaders

Fees: No cost for AISA Members

Facilitator: Kevin Baker, Director at American International School of Guangzhou