In the final episode of Podclass for the year, hosts Skye Hughes, Amanda Marshall, and Will Massara explore The Circle of Control, a concept from Stephen Covey's The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. This empowering framework helps educators, parents, and facilitators identify where to focus their time and energy—on what they can control and influence, rather than what lies outside their reach.
Podclass Website: www.ylaaus.com/podclassInstagram: @podclass.aus
The Circle of Control consists of three parts:
Circle of Control – What we can directly manage, including our actions, thoughts, and responses.
Circle of Influence – Areas where we can have an impact, such as relationships or classroom dynamics, even though we don’t have complete control.
Circle of Concern – External factors, like systemic policies or weather, that we cannot influence or control but may still affect us.
The hosts share actionable examples of how this framework can guide educators and leaders:
Circle of Control: Teachers can create a calm and inclusive classroom environment.
Circle of Influence: While you can’t change students’ home lives, you can influence how supported they feel at school.
Circle of Concern: Systemic changes in education may sit outside your control, but focusing on daily interactions helps build meaningful impact.
By reframing your focus, this approach reduces overwhelm and increases clarity in professional and personal life.
Teaching young people to apply the Circle of Control helps them manage challenges and build resilience. Encouraging them to categorise issues and focus on actionable areas provides them with a sense of empowerment and emotional regulation.
The hosts close the episode with a heartfelt thank-you to teachers, parents, and facilitators for their dedication this year. They emphasise the importance of prioritising rest and self-care over the break.
“You make a difference every day, and we’re so grateful for the work you do. Please take this time to recharge and prepare for another impactful year.”
Podclass Website: www.ylaaus.com/podclassInstagram: @podclass.aus
Our Organisations:
Youth Leadership Academy Australia (YLAA): www.ylaaus.com
Youth Engagement Project (YEP): youthengagementproject.com
The Circle of Control FrameworkPractical Examples in EducationUsing the Framework with StudentsClosing Reflections
