Episode 233 – The Steps to Buildership

EPISODE 233The Steps to BuildershipBig TakeawaysBuildership is a “who” not a “what.” It’s about who you become, not what you do.The secret to effortlessly achieving major gains each year is finding the right problems to solve.If you are not helping EVERY teacher you serve grow at least one level, in one critical domain every year, […]

Episode 232 – The only 3 ways you can fail

EPISODE 232The only 3 ways to failBig TakeawaysBefore you jump to a solution, make sure you really understand what problem you are solving.Sometimes it’s not that you don’t have the right solution, it’s that you haven’t given it long enough to actually work.We’re so anxious for quick fixes that we often have the right solution […]

Episode 231 – Keeping District Demand from Derailing Your Progress

EPISODE 231Keeping District Demand from Derailing Your ProgressBig TakeawaysStop waiting for others to believe in your 100% vision before you get started. Sometimes the only way to get others to believe that your 100% vision is possible is to show them.Not everyone will believe in your 100% vision. Pursue it anyway. Sometimes we forget that as […]

Episode 230 – The October Drift

EPISODE 230The October DriftBig TakeawaysIf the work you are doing now is not moving your school closer to your 100% vision, not in alignment with your mission, and violating your core values, why are you doing it???Do your systems make your work easier and more effective? Or are you just creating more busy work for […]

Episode 229 – The Hidden Danger of Quick Wins

EPISODE 229The Hidden Danger of Quick WinsBig TakeawaysPeople love quick wins. But 100% Success requires sustained effort.Most people will never achieve their goals, not because they don’t have the right strategy, but because they don’t do it long enough.You wonder why your teachers won’t invest in your latest initiative? Maybe it’s because they know that […]

Episode 228 –  You can’t outwork your problems

EPISODE 228You can’t outwork your problemsBiggest Takeaways You Don’t Want to Miss:There are some problems you simply can’t outwork. Leaders think they need to solve every problem they face. Builders know that not all problems are worth solving.Be picky about the problems you choose to address. Not all problems are worth solving. Organizations rise and fall to […]

Episode 227 –  What they didn’t tell us about “High Expectations”

EPISODE 227What they didn’t tell us about “High Expectations”Biggest Takeaways You Don’t Want to Miss:We don’t rise to the level of our expectations, we fall to the level of our training.Before you ask teachers to do anything, first make sure that what you are asking them to do is really the most important work they […]

Episode 226 –  Fall Rewind: Steal My Team Meeting Agenda

EPISODE 226Fall Rewind: Steal My Team Meeting AgendaBiggest Takeaways You Don’t Want to Miss:Most meetings are a waste of time. We are meeting for the sake of meeting rather than meeting to actually solve issues.There are really only 2 reasons to meet: Either we need to surface and solve issues BEFORE they become problems or […]

Episode 225 – More. Better. New.

EPISODE 225More. Better. New.Biggest Takeaways You Don’t Want to Miss:We spend so much time focusing on the holes in our schools that we lose sight of the goals of our schools. Before you try something new, make sure that you’ve maximized what’s already working.Leaders focus on filling deficits. Builders focus on building on what’s already working. […]

Episode 224 – Your Timeline is too short

EPISODE 224Your Timeline is too shortBiggest Takeaways You Don’t Want to Miss:Most principals don’t make progress because every year they are trying something new. It’s like they’re repeating their first year of leadership every single year. Builders create a sense of urgency, not by panic or pressure. Playing the short game keeps you chasing quick wins and […]