As is true in most weeks, I had several conversations this week with leaders who are interested in working with me through either coaching or my leadership speaking and training. In each case, a consistent theme came through…the need for clarity in their day to day work. Leaders can easily get pulled off the tracks […]
Earlier this week, I had the opportunity to work with a handful of school leaders. They talked with me a lot, asking questions as well, about how to best communicate with staff. If I asked, most school staff groups would tell me they would love to see better communication from their leaders. It doesn’t mean […]
October is National Principals Month, a time to recognize and celebrate the hard work and dedication of school principals across the country. The role of a principal is often underappreciated, yet it is one of the most critical in shaping the future of our schools, students, and communities. Every day, principals juggle so many different […]
One of my best friends is a district-level leader. He called the other day to share a situation that had happened on one of their campuses. Even the best leaders get hit occasionally with challenging situations, have to have hard conversations, and might need to do some damage control. While I won’t share his situation, […]
As a school leader, you know how fast your day can slip away. You walk into the office with a clear plan, ready to focus on the tasks that really matter—like instructional leadership or building school culture—but by the end of the day, you haven’t touched any of it. Sound familiar? What’s happening? It’s simple: […]
As a school leader, you know how fast your day can slip away. You walk into the office with a clear plan, ready to focus on the tasks that really matter—like instructional leadership or building school culture—but by the end of the day, you haven’t touched any of it. Sound familiar? What’s happening? It’s simple: […]
Remember that ad from the early 90’s, “Stop the Insanity” Susan Powter would shout. Her focus was about overweight people who just continued to do the same thing over and over while expecting different results. As a school leader, you’re constantly juggling multiple priorities—meetings, classroom observations, staff development, and the daily surprises that come with […]
As school leaders, we often begin the day with the best intentions. You plan to be in classrooms, spend time in the hallways engaging with students and staff, and focus on the tasks that matter most. But all too often, those plans are derailed by meetings, crises, or unexpected events that take us away from […]
In today’s increasingly divided world, where disagreements quickly escalate into hostility and misunderstandings fuel resentment, kindness is more important than ever. Choosing kindness in our daily interactions—whether at work, at home, or in public—can transform relationships and foster a sense of shared humanity. Kindness has the power to ease tension, soften hardened hearts, and create […]
Imagine your day constantly interrupted by last-minute requests and classroom disturbances—this was the reality for a school leader I spoke with recently. Like many of us, she found herself stretched thin, trying to be everything to everyone. But what’s the real cost of always saying ‘yes’? It’s more than just time—it’s your effectiveness as a […]
