Jun 9, 2026

The School Turnaround Expert Who Came Out of Retirement 5 Times | Bill Sommers’ 5 People

S05 EP09 Bill Sommers

In this thoughtful and energising episode of People Are Everything, Julia Duthie speaks with Dr William “Bill” Sommers, an educator, author, leadership coach and lifelong learner whose work has taken him from inner-city classrooms to school turnarounds, national staff development leadership, coaching principals and superintendents, and writing extensively about learning, culture and human potential. Bill arrives in the conversation just one week after a knee replacement, joking that if they offered “a brain replacement” he might be better off, a moment that immediately sets the tone: humble, funny, sharp and full of life. Julia is clearly fascinated by Bill’s depth of experience, especially his belief that schools should be more human, less bureaucratic, and built around real relationships.

At the heart of the interview are the five people who shaped Bill’s thinking: Art Costa, who taught him to focus on what people do when they don’t know the answer; Marshall Goldsmith, whose coaching philosophy helped Bill understand leadership as service; Rich Sheridan, who inspired him to think about joy, collaboration and ending human suffering through better systems; John Saphier, a trusted educational thinker grounded in practical, research-led teaching; and Amy Edmondson, whose work on psychological safety connects deeply with Bill’s belief that children and staff can only flourish when they feel safe enough to try, fail and grow. Julia repeatedly connects Bill’s stories to her own experience in education and her own unconventional learning journey, creating a warm, reflective exchange about curiosity, courage, young people, legacy and why people matter more than systems.

Highlights

Bill’s journey from college athlete to inner-city teacher, principal, superintendent, author and leadership coach
Why he has come out of retirement five times to help turn around struggling schools
The importance of courage, humility and discipline in leadership
Why schools need to focus on what students do when they don’t know the answer
Julia and Bill’s shared belief in lifelong learning and curiosity
The role of teachers and school leaders in noticing children who are struggling
Why Bill believes “knowledge is important and insufficient”
How improv helped Bill understand conflict, creativity and communication
The influence of Marshall Goldsmith’s coaching philosophy: “It’s not about you, it’s about them”
Rich Sheridan’s idea of bringing joy back into workplaces and learning environments
Why psychological safety is essential for students, staff and innovation
A powerful discussion about AI, critical thinking and the future of education
Bill’s moving story of London, the student he promised to support through graduation
The importance of mattering, belonging and relationship before academic achievement
Julia’s reflections on her own educational path and the people who helped her when she was young
The question of legacy: who carries forward the work of educational giants like Sir Ken Robinson?

Bill’s 5 Most Influential People

1. Art Costa

Bill describes Art Costa as his number one influence and a mentor of around 40 years. Art’s work on thinking skills, reflective practice and the “habits of mind” helped Bill stay in education when he was ready to leave. The idea that shaped Bill most was Art’s question: what do people do when they don’t know what to do?

2. Marshall Goldsmith

Marshall Goldsmith influenced Bill’s approach to coaching leaders, especially through the idea that leadership is not about ego, status or personal success — it is about helping the people around you get better. Bill connects Marshall’s work with humility, courage, discipline and measurable personal growth.

3. Rich Sheridan

Rich Sheridan, CEO of Menlo Innovations and author of Joy, Inc., helped Bill think differently about joy, collaboration and workplace culture. Rich’s mission to “end human suffering due to technology” inspired Bill to ask whether education should aim to end human suffering for students and staff.

4. John Saphier

John Saphier is Bill’s go-to educational thinker when he wants to know whether an idea is truly solid. Bill praises his practical, research-based work, especially around skillful teaching and high expectations, and describes him as a lighthouse in education.

5. Amy Edmondson

Bill chooses Amy Edmondson for her work on psychological safety. Her ideas connect strongly with Bill’s belief that schools and organisations need environments where people feel safe enough to ask questions, try things, make mistakes and learn.