Asking the Right Questions Part 1
School Leadership Reimagined
Have you ever felt trapped, like your options are limited and you really don’t like any of the options available? Usually, we feel like our only recourse is to hold our noses and choose the least offensive option. But, that’s not what Builders do. You see, if you are a Builder and you don’t like your options, instead of settling for what’s in front of you, you change the game by asking different questions. That’s why this week, we’re starting a brand new series about a few questions that help you change the game and give yourself more and better options. If you’re feeling...
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The power of frameworks
School Leadership Reimagined
So many leaders complain that they feel constantly overwhelmed. But, when you become a Builder, you realize that it doesn’t have to be that way. You don’t have to live in a state of overwhelm. On today’s episode, I’m sharing how Builders escape feeling overwhelmed. Once you know and live this secret, you’ll know how to eliminate overwhelm from your work. And the more you practice it, the less you’ll be able to remember or relate to the feeling of overwhelm so many administrators experience because you know how to eliminate overwhelm #LikeABuilder.
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Is this really all there is?
School Leadership Reimagined
Have you ever thought about your job and wondered, “Is this really all there is?”If so, then today’s episode is for you. You see, the reason we can sometimes feel that way has to do with a myth we were all taught to believe about leadership. Today, I’m going to expose that myth and show you how Builders find deep fulfillment in their work. Even if you are completely happy in your role, this episode will protect you from falling into the trap of excellence and help you remain happy and fulfilled in your work. So whether you are currently fulfilled or if you secretly wonder whether this...
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Boundaries vs Agreements
School Leadership Reimagined
One of the more misguided pieces of leadership advice out there is that you need to set boundaries with people. I understand the thinking behind the advice, but in practice, boundaries are more designed to keep people out than invite them to partner with you towards a common goal. Plus, the requirement that you “enforce” your boundaries puts all the onus on you. Builders are less concerned about boundaries and more focused on creating shared agreements. That way, both parties are responsible and both parties work together to achieve the desired goals. On today’s episode, I’m breaking...
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Are you too comfortable?
School Leadership Reimagined
There are a lot of principals who say they want 100%, but in reality, they have gotten pretty comfortable where they are. They’re not the worst school in the district they reason, and they are at least making some tiny incremental gains. So although they would LOVE to do better, things could be worse. Frankly, the system is set up to make us comfortable with “good enough.” But it’s all a trap. On today’s episode, I want to challenge this idea of good enough and shake us all out of our comfort zone. And, if you’ve gotten a little too comfortable lately, my goal is to give...
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Here’s why some teachers ignore your feedback
School Leadership Reimagined
There are few things in our jobs more frustrating than having a teacher completely ignore our feedback, especially when we know that things need to improve in their classrooms. The problem isn’t you, it’s the way we were trained. In fact, there are 3 things we were trained to do when giving teachers feedback that actually make our feedback EASY to ignore. On today’s podcast, I’m breaking down those 3 things and show you how to fix them so that you can give teachers feedback that they will embrace and implement #LikeABuilder.
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How to Build True Accountability Part 2
School Leadership Reimagined
This is part 2 of a 2-part series on how to build true accountability with teachers. In this episode, discover the 3-step process Builders use to handle it when someone breaks an agreement. Find out how to quickly repair the break and get back on track, how to handle a pattern of agreement breaking without destroying your school culture, and how to use even a tough situation to keep building #LikeABuilder.
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How to Build True Accountability Part 1
School Leadership Reimagined
This is part 1 of a 2-part series on how to build true accountability with teachers where you’ll discover the powerful tool Builders use to build true accountability with their staff. Find out the specific 6 steps you need to take to create an accountable agreement and learn why we were trained to “hold teachers accountable” is a trap. By the time you’re done, you’ll know exactly how to set teachers up to do the right work the right way even when you’re not looking #LikeABuilder.
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The ONE question that changes everything
School Leadership Reimagined
If you’re looking for a solution to a BIG problem or challenge in your school, discover the simple question I use time and time again to help me solve my most persistent student, teacher, and school issues Then find out how you can use this same question to stopIt working so hard trying to tweak your way to your goals and and instead find the ONE thing that creates tangible and dramatic growth for your school #LikeABuilder.
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Your job as a School Principal is not to solve problems
School Leadership Reimagined
Most of us were trained that our job as administrators is to be a problem solver. So we dutifully go into work and spend all our time trying to solve problems. Except, that means… We spend all our time trying to get teachers to implement our solutions “with fidelity.” Everyone comes to us to solve their problems and no one is taking ownership. We feel pressure to always have the answers. The work seems never-ending. Builders know that being a problem solver is a trap. That’s why Builders don’t worry about solving problems. Instead, Builders focus on finding the right...
info_outlineWe’re rewinding to one of our most popular episodes ever -- The definitive episode on how to conduct student focus groups. Student focus groups are a great way to connect with your students and collect their feedback on how you are doing as a school. In this episode, learn step-by-step how to select students for a focus group, what questions to ask, how to analyze the data, and how to use the data to improve your school. By the time you're done, you'll be able to conduct your own student focus group #LikeABuilder.