How small moments led to Unleash Learning — and why they still matter in the era of overwhelm.
It Started Quietly
Do you listen to the whispers? I ask because today marks 11 years since my first book, Unleash Learning, was released.
That book began with whispers. They weren’t loud. They weren’t written down. They arrived as small comments, from different people, at different times.
When the Whispers Began
A friend once said, “William, it’s time to write your book.” I barely noticed — I was busy, rushing on.
Later, a teacher said, “This would be really helpful if it was written down. You should write a book.” I raced to the airport, but on the plane his words stayed with me.
When my partner and I moved into a new apartment, he said, “You’re going to write your first book here.”
Then, over coffee, a colleague said out of the blue, “If you write your first book, I’ll connect you with someone who can help get it out into the world.”
The whispers were getting louder.
The Pause That Created Space
Then came an unexpected pause.
Work went quiet, and a friend said “You finally have time to write that book.” So I started writing.
Without much confidence.
Unsure anyone would read it.
Wondering if it would make sense.
But the whispers kept coming — and I kept writing.
What Followed
The book came out 11 years ago today. It sold thousands of copies. Schools used it with teams. New teachers read it. Leaders used it to grow their impact.
One maths teacher later said:
“It felt like we were sitting in a pub, having a beer, and you were telling me all the good things I already do — and how to build on them. For good.”
Why It Still Matters
Today, Unleash Learning lives inside our schools library — because now the work is about embedding the system that makes learning stick to ensure impact endures.
Whispers can lead to streams. Streams can lead to rivers.
An Invitation
This is simply an invitation to listen to your own whispers.
- They might come from a phone call.
- A book you accidentally pick up.
- A gut feeling that won’t let go.
- A quiet voice saying, this chapter is closing.
In the era of overwhelm, there is a lot of noise. Busy, busy, busy. But I’ve learned that to truly serve the world, we must stay connected to our own. Sometimes that connection comes softly. Sometimes it comes as a whisper.
On this anniversary, I invite you to listen.
And to have the courage to follow where those whispers lead.
Onwards, William
