
Hi, I’m Lynda Haynes McCartney, also known as The Quiet Coach.
I founded Making it Happen to create what so many leaders need but rarely have; a confidential, neutral space focused entirely on you. Whether you are stepping into a new role, facing a complex challenge, or wanting to reconnect with your values and purpose, this is where clarity replaces overwhelm and insight becomes action.
The middle and senior leaders I work with find that they:
Grow in confidence and clarity when making big decisions
Stay focused and grounded in fast-moving, high-pressure situations
Lead with authenticity by staying true to themselves
Build resilience to draw on when things get tough
Feel more fulfilled by focusing on what truly matters
Transition smoothly into a new role
Can bring their vision to life, positively impacting those around them
My mission is to make a difference, one powerful coaching partnership at a time. My philosophy is simple: Be Curious, Have Belief, Maximise Impact. This is at the heart of everything I do.
Wherever you are on your leadership journey, wherever you are in the world and whatever you want to achieve, Making it Happen is here for you.
Framing leadership differently,
Lynda Haynes-McCartney
The Quiet Coach-Making It Happen

If you’re leading in an international school, you know the unique pressures that come with the role. The responsibility is huge: balancing the expectations of parents, staff, and students while meeting the demands of governors, inspectors, and boards. The pace is fast, the environment constantly changing, and the stakes feel high, because they are. You care deeply about the difference education makes, but that same passion can sometimes feel heavy, isolating, and overwhelming.
That’s where I come in.
After 25 years in senior leadership roles across international schools, I understand the reality you’re navigating. Now, as a certified coach, I work with leaders like you to lead with clarity, confidence and authenticity, without losing yourself in the process. What you do matters- you matter- and the way you lead shapes the lives of students, staff, and entire communities.
Coaching is not about fixing you. It’s about unlocking what’s already there- helping you to thrive, so that you can lead calmly, confidently, and authentically. Making It Happen coaching respects your role, your context, your values and your voice.
Together we’ll close the gap between where you are and where you want to be, in your leadership, and in your life.
Values



Humility








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Every school is unique, and this guide is here to help you explore and grow your cultural agility. It’s a gift for you, from me the Quiet Coach, to prompt conversation, so that you can navigate a new culture with greater clarity and connection.
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