The Heart of Leadership: A Conversation with Bryony Evett Hackfort on Vulnerability, Vision, and Education’s Future
By Dr Jamie Farnell-Smith
Any conversation that leaves you feeling energised and buzzing with new perspectives on what it truly means to lead is a great conversation. And so it was when I joined Bryony Evett Hackfort, Director of Teaching and Learning at Coleg Sir Gar for a conversation about leadership and innovation. Bryony is a genuine and insightful voice in the education world. We recently had the privilege of recording a conversation together and her reflections on leadership, particularly in our rapidly evolving educational landscape, were engaging and inspiring in equal measure.
One of the first things that struck me about Bryony was her openness about her own journey. Bryony shared a pivotal moment early in her career where she found herself disagreeing with a senior leader’s decision in a meeting. Instead of remaining silent, she bravely challenged it publicly in a subsequent gathering. The incredible support she received from her colleagues afterwards “solidified her belief in her ability to lead“. This experience, she explained, truly shaped her definition of effective leadership: it’s about “being willing to show vulnerability, such as admitting uncertainty or apologising for mistakes”. For Bryony, it’s about “championing others and putting one’s heart on their sleeve“, creating a space where people feel “safe and supported”.
We saw this philosophy in action when Bryony recounted a significant decision she made during the initial COVID-19 lockdown. Bryony had initially mandated that cameras be turned on for online teaching. However, a staff member’s research presented a compelling case against it. What did Bryony do? She changed her mind. As she put it, it’s “crucial to prioritize the evidence and not focus on ego when realizing a decision was wrong“. That takes real courage and genuine leadership.
Bryony’s enduring passion for education is palpable. She described her enthusiasm as stemming from “a genuine love for the challenges and fast-paced nature of education“. Bryony even shared a personal commitment made early on: to leave the profession if she ever stopped enjoying it, driven by the belief that educators need to “bring their best to the next generation“. This deep-seated purpose underpins her strategic decision-making, which she shared is now “rooted in a clear ‘why’“. Every idea, every decision, is measured against this original purpose, whether it’s fostering a culture of curiosity or ensuring digital initiatives enhance equity. For Bryony, it’s vital to “staying true to this ‘why’ and sharing it with colleagues to create common understanding“.
Our conversation naturally turned to the big elephant in the room for many educators: AI. Bryony candidly admitted to a period of “initial overexcitement with AI tools, leading to burnout”. This led her to a conscious decision to slow down, adopting a two-tiered approach. It’s fascinating to hear that her institution was “the first in Wales to create an AI policy”. Their guiding principle for AI? “Enhancement, not replacement“. This directly addressed early staff fears about job losses and learning devaluation.
Bryony’s vision for AI is incredibly refreshing. She’s genuinely excited about a future where “everyone, regardless of their technological background, can benefit from technology, particularly AI”. Her passion lies in “demystifying AI, making it accessible and useful in everyday roles across various sectors“. This vision rests on four pillars: “ethics, safety, innovation, and efficiency”. She believes “everyone should feel comfortable using AI as it is already integrated into their lives“.
I asked about the qualities future education leaders would need in an AI-driven world, Bryony’s answer was beautifully simple yet profound: “the most crucial aspect is to cultivate a culture and safe environment where individuals can openly share their knowledge and uncertainties“. Bryony firmly believes that fostering this kind of environment will naturally lead to the development of other necessary skills. It’s about creating “safe spaces where learners feel comfortable making mistakes and challenging AI, rather than being afraid of issues like plagiarism”. Her message to educational leaders is clear: create environments where “both staff and learners 
can freely share what they know and don’t know”.
Bryony’s insights offer a powerful reminder that leadership, at its core, is about connection, courage, and a deep-seated commitment to nurturing potential. It’s about being real, taking risks, and creating spaces where everyone can thrive.
As our conversation drew to a close, one quote from Bryony resonated deeply and truly encapsulated her approach: “creating safe spaces where individuals can present themselves equally and confidently“.
Anyone seeking to learn more about the culture of innovation at Coleg Sir Gar can reach out directly to Bryony who is always open to sharing and collaboration, and to learn more about how their culture has enabled the impactful use of technology get in touch with C Learning at Connect@c-learning.net
