(VIDEO) Designing Spaces, Simplifying Plans: Human-Centered Leadership with Dr. Ben Ploeger
An Imperfect Leader: The Superintendents and Leadership Podcast
What does authentic, human-centered leadership actually look? š” In the latest episode of An Imperfect Leader, we sit down with Dr. Ben Ploeger, Director General at the American School of AsunciĆ³n in Paraguay, for a candid conversation on navigating international school leadership. Three big insights really stuck with me: 1. If you canāt explain your strategy in 30 seconds, itās time to simplify. Early in his tenure, Ben inherited a complex 12-goal strategic plan spread across a multi-tab spreadsheet. At a board meeting, he respectfully asked if anyone in the room could name the top...
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(AUDIO) Designing Spaces, Simplifying Plans: Human-Centered Leadership with Dr. Ben Ploeger
An Imperfect Leader: The Superintendents and Leadership Podcast
What does authentic, human-centered leadership actually look? š” In the latest episode of An Imperfect Leader, we sit down with Dr. Ben Ploeger, Director General at the American School of AsunciĆ³n in Paraguay, for a candid conversation on navigating international school leadership. Three big insights really stuck with me: 1. If you canāt explain your strategy in 30 seconds, itās time to simplify. Early in his tenure, Ben inherited a complex 12-goal strategic plan spread across a multi-tab spreadsheet. At a board meeting, he respectfully asked if anyone in the room could name the top...
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(VIDEO) Melanie Vrba on Co-Creating Schools & Owning Missteps: Lessons from International Leadership
An Imperfect Leader: The Superintendents and Leadership Podcast
Are we leading with our school communities, or imposing leadership upon them? In this episode of An Imperfect Leader, I sit down with , Director of the International School of Tanganyika (IST) in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Together, we explore what it truly takes to build connection, cultivate student agency, and navigate the messy, human reality of school leadership. Two take aways from our conversation: 1ļøā£ Student Agency & Co-Creating School Experiences: School shouldn't be something administrators do to kids, it should be something experienced together. Whether it's a second-grader...
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(AUDIO) Melanie Vrba on Co-Creating Schools & Owning Missteps: Lessons from International Leadership
An Imperfect Leader: The Superintendents and Leadership Podcast
Are we leading with our school communities, or imposing leadership upon them? In this episode of An Imperfect Leader, I sit down with , Director of the International School of Tanganyika (IST) in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Together, we explore what it truly takes to build connection, cultivate student agency, and navigate the messy, human reality of school leadership. Two take aways from our conversation: 1ļøā£ Student Agency & Co-Creating School Experiences: School shouldn't be something administrators do to kids, it should be something experienced together. Whether it's a second-grader...
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(VIDEO) From Control to Partnership: Rethinking Instructional Coaching with Jim Knight
An Imperfect Leader: The Superintendents and Leadership Podcast
What an incredible, deep-dive conversation on the An Imperfect Leader podcast! This week, I turned over the mic to Jamie Almanzan who sat down with his long-time mentor and coaching pioneer, , to talk about what it truly takes to lead and support educators. If youāve ever felt the tension between wanting to drive change and wanting to support your team with dignity, this episode is a must-listen. Some takeaways from their conversation: 1ļøā£ Partnership Over Control: Real coaching and leadership aren't about manipulating or telling teachers what to do. When we treat educators...
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(AUDIO) From Control to Partnership: Rethinking Instructional Coaching with Jim Knight
An Imperfect Leader: The Superintendents and Leadership Podcast
What an incredible, deep-dive conversation on the An Imperfect Leader podcast! This week, I turned over the mic to Jamie Almanzan who sat down with his long-time mentor and coaching pioneer, , to talk about what it truly takes to lead and support educators. If youāve ever felt the tension between wanting to drive change and wanting to support your team with dignity, this episode is a must-listen. Some takeaways from their conversation: 1ļøā£ Partnership Over Control: Real coaching and leadership aren't about manipulating or telling teachers what to do. When we treat educators...
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(VIDEO) Emily Sargent-Beasley on Navigating Transition & Complexity: How Effective Leaders Get Out of the Way
An Imperfect Leader: The Superintendents and Leadership Podcast
What does it truly take to lead an educational community through complex transitions without falling into the trap of linear quick fixes? š«āØ In the latest episode of An Imperfect Leader, Emily Sargent-Beasley (President of the American College of Sofia) shares profound insights from her career in international education and her doctoral research at the University of San Diego. Here are some leadership themes to listen for: 1ļøā£ Navigating Transitions in Complex Systems: School transitions are deeply bounded by context, inherited conditions, and unseen relational dynamics. Rather than...
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(AUDIO) Emily Sargent-Beasley on Navigating Transition & Complexity: How Effective Leaders Get Out of the Way
An Imperfect Leader: The Superintendents and Leadership Podcast
What does it truly take to lead an educational community through complex transitions without falling into the trap of linear quick fixes? š«āØ In the latest episode of An Imperfect Leader, Emily Sargent-Beasley (President of the American College of Sofia) shares profound insights from her career in international education and her doctoral research at the University of San Diego. Here are some leadership themes to listen for: 1ļøā£ Navigating Transitions in Complex Systems: School transitions are deeply bounded by context, inherited conditions, and unseen relational dynamics. Rather than...
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(AUDIO) "You Are the Strategy": Transforming Chronic Absenteeism Through Relational Invitation with Shelley Berman
An Imperfect Leader: The Superintendents and Leadership Podcast
When a student stops showing up to school, our default instinct as a system is often to drop the hammer: automated warning letters, threats of fines, or referrals to juvenile court. Hereās the truth: those compliance letters don't build enthusiasm. They alienate families and often worsen the problem. In this latest episode of An Imperfect Leader: The Superintendents and Leadership Podcast, we sit down with veteran superintendent and former CASEL CEO to tackle one of the most pressing challenges facing education today: chronic absenteeism. Instead of treating attendance as an...
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(VIDEO) "You Are the Strategy": Transforming Chronic Absenteeism Through Relational Invitation with Shelley Berman
An Imperfect Leader: The Superintendents and Leadership Podcast
When a student stops showing up to school, our default instinct as a system is often to drop the hammer: automated warning letters, threats of fines, or referrals to juvenile court. Hereās the truth: those compliance letters don't build enthusiasm. They alienate families and often worsen the problem. In this latest episode of An Imperfect Leader: The Superintendents and Leadership Podcast, we sit down with veteran superintendent and former CASEL CEO to tackle one of the most pressing challenges facing education today: chronic absenteeism. Instead of treating attendance as an...
info_outlineWhat does authentic, human-centered leadership actually look? š”
In the latest episode of An Imperfect Leader, we sit down with Dr. Ben Ploeger, Director General at the American School of AsunciĆ³n in Paraguay, for a candid conversation on navigating international school leadership.
Three big insights really stuck with me:
1. If you canāt explain your strategy in 30 seconds, itās time to simplify. Early in his tenure, Ben inherited a complex 12-goal strategic plan spread across a multi-tab spreadsheet. At a board meeting, he respectfully asked if anyone in the room could name the top three priorities in under 30 seconds. Listen for what they said!
2. The single most important factor for learning is the teacher. Reflecting on an early career misstep with a bad hire, Ben shared how that experience pushed him to seek formal training in hiring frameworks. Listen for how he relies on behavioral interviewing.
3. Itās okay to admit you don't have all the answers. When Ben was preparing for his daughter to enter pre-K at his school, he reached out to a global network of school heads for advice on balancing the dual roles of Director General and dad. Listen for what some said.
Leadership isn't about being perfect, it's about simplifying the complex, hiring with intention, and staying open to continuous growth.
Whatās one piece of leadership advice or reflection that has stayed with you recently? Drop your thoughts below! š
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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 AlmanzƔn 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 Kā12 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 Projectās ready-to-use lesson plans include film, original music, āgametivitiesā, and real conversations. Weāre 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.