Success Against the Odds: 5 Lessons in Leadership from the Founder of Teach First.

by Brett Wigdortz

Ten years ago, when 28-year-old, McKinsey-trained American management consultant Brett Wigdortz told his employers that he was leaving to "found an organisation designed to address educational disadvantage in Britain", they laughed. He was, after all, an under-qualified immigrant with no public policy experience, and no experience in teaching; he had never led anything before, never managed anyone. And he thought he was going to crack the hardest nut of all the class-ridden injustices of the British education system. This is the story of how a tiny independent charity has succeeded against all odds. Having met nothing but resistance in its early years, Teach First is today Britain's largest employer of graduates. It receives over 7000 applications for 1000 teaching positions annually in the most challenging schools in the country. In this searingly honest account of how he got Teach First to where it is today, Brett shows how by combining the best of his McKinsey training with a personal passion, he has turned a simple idea into a runaway success. He offers tips and advice based on everything he has learned along the way How to write a business plan, How to hire the right team through to How to balance the books and How to become a CEO with zero qualifications. This is a story about turning no into yes. It's a story to encourage anyone else out there with a vision for change to go out and make it happen.

Genres: Education

270 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

Reviews

[Mélissa Chan-Cheape · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who is going into Teach First, I was surprised that Brett's book was not on the required reading list. The novel, somewhat autobiographical, highlighted many of the reasons which pushed me towards a career in education. It reminded me of the power of leadership in the classroom, and how education really is the key to tackling inequality that exists in the UK.

[Daniel Cremin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good. Worth reading whether you take a really keen interest in education reform or if you are just more generally interested in social entrepreneurship. Brett's refreshingly honest in his book about the mistakes he made during the course of establishing Teach First, which only serves to add to the allure of his achievements. The key lesson I took away from reading this book were that if you want to build something truly impressive, be prepared for real knockbacks and to be blindsided at times.

There's plenty of humour and candour in the book and some great reflections on how he built the political case in Whitehall for Teach First with a skeptical civil service establishment.

[Shahid · Rating 4 out of 5]

Completely bias rating as I am a Teach Firster!

[Nathan Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

one of the better "how we did it" books. smart, honest, humble and practical. a quick but useful read/reference for any activist/entrepreneur.

[Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an amazingly inspirational book, and what a powerful final anecdote.