(AUDIO) Chip Kimball and Three Leadership Lessons on Culture, Deep Thinking, and Knowing When to Hit Reset

"This was a fail, and I own it."  This week, on An Imperfect Leader, Dr. Chip Kimball shows us what real leadership vulnerability looks like. His insights on international education and systems leadership brought up some themes every leader should reflect on:

1. The Power of the Reset Button: When Chip tried to streamline his team’s global R&D process, the spark was missing. Instead of abandoning a noble goal, he had the vulnerability to admit the approach was a failure, hit pause, and launch "R&D 2.0".

2. Cultural Competence Over Standard Metrics Drawing from years leading major school systems in the U.S. and internationally, Chip noted that the greatest deficit facing American students often isn't math or science scores. It's cultural competence. When talking with university admissions officers, the consensus was clear: colleges aren't looking for kids who simply stack a dozen advanced courses. They are looking for a cross section of "smart and interesting" human beings.

3. Designing Ecosystems for Deep Thinking In an era dominated by AI and social media algorithms, schools must intentionally protect human connection. 

Leading systemically isn't about avoiding mistakes, it's about creating an ecosystem where teams can safely experiment, reflect, and grow.

Give a listen!

What’s a time you had to pause a flawed process and hit reset on a noble goal? I'd love to hear your thoughts! 

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Follow Host Peter Stiepleman on:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-stiepleman-76004819a/
Website: https://imperfectleader.com/

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.