I had the most interesting conversation this week over coffee with two different district-level leaders. In both conversations, they talked about how they have concern with some of their leaders not being focused on the ‘big picture’. We talked about how some leaders will fall into the trap of chasing ‘getting things done’ at the […]
That moment when the call comes and you hear, “Congratulations—you’re our new principal,” is unforgettable. I remember it clearly. I closed the door, hugged my wife, and said, I did it. Ten minutes later, reality hit: I’m the principal. The dream meets the weight of responsibility—and it’s humbling. Whether you’re stepping into your first building […]
I’ll never forget the end of my first year as a high school principal. I walked out of the building that last day in early June feeling like I’d just finished a marathon I hadn’t trained for. I was exhausted, unsure if I had done enough, and more than anything, overwhelmed by how reactive the […]
This past weekend, I came across a post on social media that caught my attention.Someone considering a move into school leadership asked a simple but powerful question:“Is there joy in the job?” The responses poured in. Most were a resounding yes — with a few honest replies from individuals who, at least for now, aren’t […]
When I was a high school principal, the final stretch of the school year always made me a little uneasy. After months of hard work, it was natural for some people—staff and students alike—to start easing off the gas. Energy would dip. Focus could wander. The finish line was in sight, and with it came […]
When I was a building principal, much of what we had going was working pretty efficiently. Our systems were dialed in, and the culture felt strong. But then we ran into a challenge around building security and safety. We realized our evacuation procedures needed to change. We had to ensure every person—staff, students, and visitors—was […]
I spend a great deal of time working one on one with leaders. One of my primary goals is to help them spend time reflecting on their current practices, growth, and areas for continued improvement. One of my favorite questions to ask related to self-reflection actually comes from something my friend and fellow leadership coach, […]
On a recent visit to one of the school districts I support, an elementary principal asked me the following question, “how do you motivate and inspire teachers this time of year without it feeling like toxic positivity?” Let’s be honest, spring has arrived, and while that means warmer days and brighter skies, it also signals […]
As a school leader, how often do you start your day with the best of intentions, only to find yourself consumed by urgent crises and unexpected interruptions? If this feels familiar, you’re not alone. Far too many leaders find themselves trapped in reactive mode, dealing with what author Stephen Covey famously termed the ‘urgent but […]
In less than two days my new book (co-authored with Katie Kinder), Culture First Classrooms: Leadership, Relationships, and Practices that Transform Schools will officially launch. This moment has been months in the making—filled with early morning writing sessions, late-night revisions, deep conversations with educators across the country, and a powerful collaboration with 24 incredible contributors […]
