When I look back on my time as a high school principal, I can clearly see the days when our culture was thriving—and the days when it wasn’t. What made the difference wasn’t a program or a new initiative. It was the way our people—teachers, staff, and students—felt about being part of the school community. […]
As a building-level leader, I found that the start of the school year often brought me incredible energy. During the first couple of weeks, I was in every classroom, greeting students in the hallways, and having conversations with staff that deepened our relationships. Those were the moments that mattered most — building trust, reinforcing expectations, […]
There’s nothing quite like the first days of school.The hallways are buzzing with conversation, classrooms hum with energy, and even the coffee tastes better. The start of a new year brings a wave of optimism, fresh ideas, and a sense that this is the year when everything clicks. But here’s the reality: momentum is fragile. […]
A few weeks ago, I asked a leadership team I was coaching a seemingly simple question: “What does success look like for your school this year?” Five people.Five very different answers. That moment—awkward, eye-opening, and important—reminded me of something I’ve seen again and again in schools across the country: we can’t assume clarity. We have […]
A Leadership Story That Still Sticks With Me A couple of years ago, I worked with a leadership team that continually frustrated me as their coach. They were passionate, had great ideas, and clearly wanted to do right by their staff and students. But they were also notoriously noncommittal when it came to action. Time […]
I recently wrapped a workshop at the Innovative Schools Summit in Nashville, where I spent three hours with school and district leaders diving deep into what makes leadership teams truly great. Not just functional—but exceptional. This is work I’ve been doing for years, but over the past few months it’s intensified. From coast to coast, […]
I remember July 4, 2012 like it was yesterday. Not only was it Independence Day, but it also marked a new beginning for me. It was the unofficial start of my second year as a high school principal. Year one had been… a bit of a mess. I spent most of it reacting—fighting fires, running […]
Over the past week or so, I have been working with a couple new principals. One has experience in previous principal roles but not at the scope of their new role. Another who has been an assistant principal twice, but the new role is quite different from any role they’ve had before. I have told […]
This blog originally was posted last year at just about this time (June 20, 2024). And while I am away on vacation, I still want to bring quality content and support to leaders everywhere. Enjoy this incredibly well received and timeless post for new leaders. _______________________________________________________________ I had the best conversation today with my friend […]
One of my favorite safety features that nearly all newer vehicles have is the blind spot warning. There might be a sound, a light on the side mirror, or some other method that alerts you, but the message and purpose is the same. To let you know there is a vehicle next to you that […]
