(VIDEO) Leading Without Flinching with Dr. Nyah Hamlett
An Imperfect Leader: The Superintendents and Leadership Podcast
Some conversations stay with you long after the recording ends. My conversation with is one of those. In this encore episode, Dr. Hamlett, former superintendent of Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools and now Chief Equity & Development Officer for Montgomery County Public Schools, offers a deeply honest reflection on leadership under pressure. Here are three themes leaders should listen for: 1. “Don’t Flinch” Leadership: Listen for how Nyah defines leadership as choosing courage over convenience, especially when decisions are uncomfortable or...
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(VIDEO) Laser Focus: James Lane and Cutting Through Initiative Fatigue to Save the Learning Moment
An Imperfect Leader: The Superintendents and Leadership Podcast
What happens when you trade a massive suburban district for a rural community with only 1,200 students? According to my latest guest, it might just be the best career move you’ll ever make. I recently sat down with , former acting Assistant Secretary of the US Department of Education and author of . James shared how cutting his teeth in a small rural district forced him to do "every job"—from HR and finance to literally walking through the mud to assess construction sites. We went deep on how that "boots on the ground" experience prepared him for state and national leadership, and why he...
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Laser Focus: James Lane and Cutting Through Initiative Fatigue to Save the Learning Moment
An Imperfect Leader: The Superintendents and Leadership Podcast
What happens when you trade a massive suburban district for a rural community with only 1,200 students? According to my latest guest, it might just be the best career move you’ll ever make. I recently sat down with , former acting Assistant Secretary of the US Department of Education and author of . James shared how cutting his teeth in a small rural district forced him to do "every job"—from HR and finance to literally walking through the mud to assess construction sites. We went deep on how that "boots on the ground" experience prepared him for state and national leadership, and why he...
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Beyond the Three-Year Myth: The Truth About the Superintendency
An Imperfect Leader: The Superintendents and Leadership Podcast
If you feel like your "number one love"—instructional leadership—is constantly being pushed to the background by budget spreadsheets, you aren’t alone. I recently had a fantastic conversation with (Columbia University's Teachers College) and (Seton Hall University) about the . We did some serious "myth-busting" that every school leader and board member needs to hear. Here are 3 themes from our talk to keep on your radar: The Money Matters Paradox: While most superintendents identify as instructional leaders, 54% reported that finance issues actually consume the bulk of their...
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(VIDEO) Beyond the Three-Year Myth: Anne LoBue and Chris Tienken Share the Truth About the Superintendency
An Imperfect Leader: The Superintendents and Leadership Podcast
If you feel like your "number one love"—instructional leadership—is constantly being pushed to the background by budget spreadsheets, you aren’t alone. I recently had a fantastic conversation with (Columbia University's Teachers College) and (Seton Hall University) about the . We did some serious "myth-busting" that every school leader and board member needs to hear. Here are 3 themes from our talk to keep on your radar: The Money Matters Paradox: While most superintendents identify as instructional leaders, 54% reported that finance issues actually consume the bulk of their...
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The Monopoly is Over: Brian Stephens and Why Public Schools Must Compete or Risk Becoming Dinosaurs
An Imperfect Leader: The Superintendents and Leadership Podcast
Is the era of the public school monopoly officially dead? According to my guest, , the answer is a resounding yes. And if school leaders don't adapt, they risk becoming "dinosaurs." Brian is a combat veteran, attorney, and the leader of CAISSA K-12, a firm that has helped return over 30,000 students to traditional public schools. In our conversation, we tackled the hard truth about declining enrollment and how districts can reclaim their narrative in a competitive market. Here are themes from our talk that every educator and superintendent should hear: Accepting the End of the Monopoly:...
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(VIDEO) The Monopoly is Over: Brian Stephens and Why Public Schools Must Compete or Risk Becoming Dinosaurs
An Imperfect Leader: The Superintendents and Leadership Podcast
Is the era of the public school monopoly officially dead? According to my guest, , the answer is a resounding yes. And if school leaders don't adapt, they risk becoming "dinosaurs." Brian is a combat veteran, attorney, and the leader of CAISSA K-12, a firm that has helped return over 30,000 students to traditional public schools. In our conversation, we tackled the hard truth about declining enrollment and how districts can reclaim their narrative in a competitive market. Here are themes from our talk that every educator and superintendent should hear: Accepting the End of the...
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(VIDEO) Zaretta Hammond on Reclaiming Cognitive Justice and the Power of the "First Pancake"
An Imperfect Leader: The Superintendents and Leadership Podcast
Are we settling for "belonging" in our schools while leaving student brainpower underdeveloped? I recently had a deep, transformative conversation with , author of . We moved past the surface-level "equity talk" to discuss what it really takes to move a student from a dependent learner to a cognitively independent one. Zaretta’s insights on cognitive justice and intelligent failure are essential. Here are 3 themes from our talk that will matter to leaders: Cognitive Justice is the True Moral Imperative: Equity isn't just about celebrating flags or hosting potlucks....
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Zaretta Hammond on Reclaiming Cognitive Justice and the Power of the "First Pancake"
An Imperfect Leader: The Superintendents and Leadership Podcast
Are we settling for "belonging" in our schools while leaving student brainpower underdeveloped? I recently had a deep, transformative conversation with , author of . We moved past the surface-level "equity talk" to discuss what it really takes to move a student from a dependent learner to a cognitively independent one. Zaretta’s insights on cognitive justice and intelligent failure are essential. Here are 3 themes from our talk that will matter to leaders: Cognitive Justice is the True Moral Imperative: Equity isn't just about celebrating flags or hosting potlucks. Zaretta challenges us to...
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Dr. Melissa Sadorf and Why Rural Schools are the Soul of Their Communities
An Imperfect Leader: The Superintendents and Leadership Podcast
What does it actually mean to be a "resilient" leader? Is it just about weathering the storm, or is it about what you build while the storm is still raging? I recently had a conversation with , Executive Director of the National Rural Education Association and author of . Melissa has spent over 30 years as a teacher, principal, and superintendent, and she deeply understands the unique, multiplex relationships that define rural education. Whether you lead a small rural district or a large urban system, Melissa’s insights on leading through loss and building authentic credibility are...
info_outlineSome conversations stay with you long after the recording ends. My conversation with Dr. Nyah Hamlett is one of those.
In this encore episode, Dr. Hamlett, former superintendent of Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools and now Chief Equity & Development Officer for Montgomery County Public Schools, offers a deeply honest reflection on leadership under pressure.
Here are three themes leaders should listen for:
1. “Don’t Flinch” Leadership: Listen for how Nyah defines leadership as choosing courage over convenience, especially when decisions are uncomfortable or unpopular.
2. Student Voice as Shared Power (Not a Checkbox): Listen for how student voice can sharpen decisions, even when leaders don’t ultimately go the students’ way.
3. Imperfect Leadership, Vulnerability, and Accountability: Listen closely to Nyah’s after-action reflection. It’s a masterclass in humility, learning in real time, and leading as a human being, especially when systems and personal wellbeing collide.
This episode is a reminder that leadership is not about perfection. It’s about integrity, reflection, and the willingness to stand firm without flinching.
#DontFlinch #CourageOverConvenience #AuthenticLeadership #VulnerabilityInLeadership #EducationalLeadership #Superintendents #PublicEducation #EdLeadership #EquityInEducation #StudentVoice #RestorativePractices #SystemsThinking #EquityAndEmpathy #ImperfectLeader #PodcastRoleNetwork #LeadLearner #Podcasserole
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Follow Host Peter Stiepleman on:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-stiepleman-76004819a/
Website: https://imperfectleader.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/animperfectleader/
Follow Co-host Jamie Almanzán on:
Connect with APC Leadership Collaborative for support in navigating complex leadership situations: https://www.apccollab.com
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An Imperfect Leader is sponsored by IXL. Boost learning with a platform proven to deliver results. IXL gives educators a complete K–12 curriculum and personalized learning plans that adapt to every student.
Trusted by over 1 million teachers and 96 of the top 100 school districts, IXL helps schools outperform on state tests, and helps teachers focus on what matters most.
IXL: Powerful data. Personalized learning. Real progress.
Discover what IXL can do for your school at IXL.com/imperfect
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The Mosaic Project, one of our favorite organizations, has over 25 years of experience empowering students to celebrate differences, communicate assertively, and resolve conflicts peacefully at their outdoor school. Their innovative SEL curriculum is now available to An Imperfect Leader listeners at a 10% discount through their new documentary film-based Mosaic Classroom Project!
The Project’s ready-to-use lesson plans include film, original music, “gametivities”, and real conversations. We’re proud to partner with The Mosaic Project in helping educators build inclusive, peaceful learning communities! Just mention An Imperfect Leader during the onboarding process to receive the 10% discount.
Learn more about The Mosaic Classroom Project.
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Think differently. Think in systems. Reach out to The Waters Center for Systems Thinking to learn more about how systems thinking capacity building can strengthen your team and organization.
Homepage: www.waterscenterst.org
Thinking Tools Studio: https://thinkingtoolsstudio.waterscenterst.org
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An Imperfect Leader: Leadership in (After) Action is supported by ILAA, LLC, a firm dedicated to supporting aspiring, new, and established leaders. For more information, please find them at imperfectleader.com.
Music for An Imperfect Leader was written and arranged by Ian Varley.
Sam Falbo created our artwork, a wood-print inspired daruma doll butterfly.