This symposium will present analyses from Performing Beyond Expectations (PBE): a study of 18 organisations in business, sport and education that span three continents (Europe, Australia, North America) and six countries (England, Ireland, Finland, Italy, USA, Australia) (Hargreaves et al, in press).  The study explores how organisations can achieve exceptionally high performance, given their history, size, client base and previous performance. It probes what it means to exceed expectations, the different definitions of PBE that exist and also prevail, and the leadership practices that enable these organisations to excel and outperform others over time.

The study addressed three key research questions:

• What characteristics make organisations of different types successful and sustainable, far beyond expectations?

• How does sustainability of performance beyond expectations in leadership and change manifest itself in education compared to other sectors?

• What are the implications for schools and school leaders?         

This research study is based on extensive literature reviews of performance beyond expectations in business (Stone-Johnson, 2009), sport (Boyle, 2009) and education (Harris & Reich, 2009), and in-depth case studies of the 18 organisations, comprising two school districts; seven primary, secondary and special schools, a leading national cricket organization, high performing teams in football, rugby and Irish hurling; and businesses in the retail, auto-manufacturing, chemical and Internet sectors.

Leading an organisation far beyond expectations, we found, entails an arduous yet inspiring journey. It is to be engaged in an epic narrative where organisational leaders and players: (1) strive to reach a clear and compelling destination in relation to an unwanted or underestimated departure point; (2) establish solid underpinnings and creative pathways as well as clear indicators of progress for reaching the desired destination; (3) cultivate and coordinate everyone’s capabilities to embark on and complete the challenging journey together; and (4) develop the drive that maintains momentum and provides the steering and direction that ensures the effort does not miss the mark.

This symposium will commence with an overview of the study’s theoretical framework and a critical discussion of current and prevailing discourses within the three sectors, given by the symposium chair.  Next, symposium participants will form small groups to discuss questions related to the research focus.  Feedback will be taken from each of the groups, followed by discussions of study findings shared as three separate papers. Whole-group question and answer time will follow the sharing of all three papers.  

The discussant, Juana M Sancho Gil, will make concluding remarks based on all papers in the symposium, addressing implications for research in education.