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 cost of focusing on their vision for the organization. Honestly, both conversations made me think about myself when I first became a school principal.
Early in my principalship, I found myself stuck in a cycle of reacting. Each day, I walked into the building with great intentions—visit classrooms, connect with teachers, support students. But somewhere between the morning announcements and the final bell, my day became a blur of emails, student discipline, hallway supervision, meetings I didn’t lead or need to be in, and solving problems that weren’t mine to solve. I’d leave exhausted, frustrated, and with very little to show for my time beyond a longer to-do list for tomorrow.
I remember one day in particular when I sat at my desk well past the end of the school day, staring at my open planner. Not a single instructional walkthrough. Not one leadership action that tied back to the vision I had for our school. I was managing my building—there was no doubt about that—but I wasn’t leading it.
That moment was a turning point. I realized I wasn’t hired to manage tasks. I was hired to lead people, drive outcomes, and create a school where students and staff could thrive.
And that meant I had to lead differently.
Most school leaders don’t struggle because they lack dedication or work ethic. We struggle because we confuse activity with impact.
Task-based leadership is seductive. It gives us a sense of control. It feels productive. But it’s reactive, often driven by urgency rather than importance.
Outcomes-based leadership is different. It begins with Clarity—about who you are, what matters most, and where your school is going. It’s proactive, intentional, and aligned with purpose.
When you lead from outcomes:
You protect time for what truly matters.
Your team knows what success looks like—and how they contribute to it.
Your calendar reflects your vision, not everyone else’s emergencies.
You’re no longer chasing fires—you’re building momentum.
Outcomes-based leaders don’t do more. They do what matters most—more often.
If everything matters, nothing does. Identify your top two or three priorities—whether it’s improving Tier 1 instruction, building a stronger school culture, or increasing student voice. Then build your time, team meetings, and feedback loops around those outcomes.
When I finally got clear on my vision, I stopped saying yes to everything and started saying yes to the right things.
Don’t just aim to “support teachers.” Define what success looks like. How many Coaching conversations will you hold? What kind of feedback will you provide? How often will you be in classrooms—and what are you looking for?
Goals without clarity are just hopeful wishes.
You can’t lead from your inbox. Systems help you get out of the weeds and stay focused. Whether it’s a weekly instructional leadership calendar, having your secretary screen your calendar for alignment, or creating shared agendas for leadership teams—build supports that make the important work automatic.
I didn’t just block time for classroom visits—I scheduled them like I would a meeting with the superintendent. Because it was that important.
Outcomes don’t just happen—they’re built over time. Look for the early signs: increased student engagement, improvements in walkthrough data, shifts in teacher practice. Those are the signals you’re moving in the right direction.
Waiting for end-of-year results is too late.
Every Friday, ask yourself:
Did I move the needle on our priorities?
What did I do that created impact?
What did I spend time on that didn’t?
Reflection is your reset button. Use it.
You became a school leader to make a difference—not to drown in busyness.
Outcomes-based leadership isn’t about working harder. It’s about leading smarter—with clarity, purpose, and intentionality. It’s the difference between spinning your wheels and driving real change.
If you’re feeling stuck in the weeds, you’re not alone. But you don’t have to stay there.
Take five minutes today to write down your top three leadership outcomes for the next month. Then look at your calendar. Does it reflect those priorities? If not—adjust it. That’s where the shift begins.
Lead your school with vision. Stay focused on what matters most. And remember—your job isn’t to do it all. It’s to lead the work that changes lives.
Send me a message or visit RoadToAwesome.net to start the conversation.
Tune in this Sunday to “Leaning into Leadership” when I sit down with international teacher, podcaster, and author Rob McLeod.
