Landing your first leadership position is exciting…until reality sets in.

The meetings, the emails, the difficult conversations, the angry parents, and the constant interruptions can quickly pull new administrators away from the work they were most excited to do: leading people and supporting learning.

In this episode of Leaning Into Leadership, Dr. Darrin Peppard is joined by Erika Bare and Tiffany Burns, experienced school leaders and co-authors, for a practical conversation about surviving—and thriving—in your first years of school leadership.

Together they share strategies for preparing for difficult conversations, building a trusted support network, protecting your time, and leading with intentionality rather than reacting to every urgent issue.

Whether you’re stepping into your first assistant principal role, becoming a building principal, or mentoring a new leader, this episode is packed with immediately actionable advice.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why every school leader needs a trusted “work bestie”
• How preparation reduces Anxiety before difficult conversations
• The planning process that leads to more effective communication
• Common mistakes leaders make during challenging meetings
• Strategies for working with frustrated parents and caregivers
• Why attacking the problem—not the person—is essential
• How to respond when someone asks, “Do you have a minute?”
• Practical ways to protect your calendar and prioritize instructional leadership
• Why saying “no” is sometimes the best leadership decision
• How intentional time management creates better leaders and healthier lives

Memorable Quotes

“Action is the antidote to anxiety.”

“School leadership is not a solo sport.”

“Never sacrifice the important at the altar of the urgent.”

“You are worth so much more than a minute.”

Connect with Erika Bare & Tiffany Burns

Visit Connecting Through Conversation for resources, blog posts, free planning guides, and information about their books and professional learning opportunities.

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090370647418&mibextid=LQQJ4d

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/connectingthroughconversation/

Linked In Erika Bare https://linkedin.com/in/erika-bare-6a72a6215

Linkedin Tiffany Burns https://linkedin.com/in/tiffany-burns-90a50a274

LinkedinCTC https://www.linkedin.com/company/connecting-through-conversation/

Twitter https://twitter.com/CTCPlaybook.com

Youtube https://www.youtube.com/@CTCPlaybook

Sponsor Spotlight:

This episode is sponsored by HeyTutor.

HeyTutor partners with schools and districts nationwide to provide evidence-based high-dosage tutoring support in Math and ELA while helping schools remain intentional about staff capacity and student support systems.

Learn more here: HeyTutor.com

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Darrin Peppard Dr. Darrin Peppard

Dr. Darrin Peppard is an author, leadership coach, consultant, and speaker focused on organizational culture and climate, and growing emerging leaders. Darrin is the best-selling author of the book Road to Awesome, and is the host of the Leaning into Leadership podcast. As a ‘recovering high school principal’, Darrin shares strategies and lessons learned from 26 years in public education to help leaders gain clarity, find joy in their work, and walk in their purpose.