Dr. Chad Stevens has spent 30 years in education and EdTech, working across schools and organisations including CDW, AWS and ClassDojo.

But some of his most important leadership lessons have come from slowing down.

In this episode of Strategic Syncing, Chad joins James Symons for a candid conversation about EdTech, leadership, reflection, self-confidence and what it means to become more comfortable being yourself.

They begin with the growing financial pressure facing schools and the responsibility EdTech companies have to prove that their products create real value.

Chad discusses why tighter budgets may force organisations to become more focused, why innovation often comes from constraint, and why technology still needs human connection at its core.

The conversation then becomes much more personal.

After a major life transition, Chad began creating more space for reflection, writing about his experiences and intentionally building a life that felt more like his own.

That process also changed the way he thinks about leadership.

For Chad, the most important thing a leader leaves behind is not a title, company or project. It is the leaders they helped grow and the way those people go on to lead others.

He also opens up about one of his own continuing struggles: self-confidence.

Despite decades of experience, Chad admits he can still fall into a deficit mindset and question whether he is good enough.

His response has been to lean further into vulnerability, writing, performing music, trusting his own experience and becoming increasingly comfortable simply being himself.

This episode starts with technology but ultimately becomes a conversation about people, confidence, reflection and the kind of leader you want to become.