Accelerate Your Performance

Strong cultures empower winning strategies, and well-executed strategies reinforce strong and healthy cultures. But how do you actually begin the work of transforming a school district's culture? Join Dr. Adam Leckie, Superintendent of Casa Grande Elementary School District, as he discusses with Dr. Janet Pilcher how centering his faculty, staff, and students is the core of driving substantial improvement. Listen as he unpacks strategies that build this culture, empowering his team to execute with excellence. 

 This episode addresses questions such as: 

• How can a people-first approach be practically implemented to empower those leading daily improvement initiatives?
• What are practical ways to show gratitude and service to the people within a school district? 
• How can data-driven insights be used to accurately measure improvement and guide strategic decisions?

Destination High Performance K12 Leadership Conference: Go here to learn more and register.

Recommended Resources: People-First Leadership in Classrooms and Communities, The Culture-Strategy Equation: Reflections from the AASA Conference, Cultivating a Culture of Gratitude and Continuous Improvement in the Casa Grande Elementary School District

Read and study: Each episode of the podcast aligns with the tactics and principles of our host's book, Hardwiring Excellence in Education: The Nine Principles Framework. In conjunction with that book, you can join the mission to create great places to work, learn, and succeed by leading a book study with your leadership team for Hardwiring Excellence in Education. Our free, on-demand book study offers additional tools and resources created by Dr. Pilcher and our Studer Education leader coaches. Each chapter in the study also features exclusive interviews with influential education leaders sharing how they’re making a difference in their districts and beyond.

Order book here.

Sign up for book study here.

Are you seeing the impact you want from your organization's efforts? Tune in now and discover strategies to enhance operational efficiency with Dr. Janet Pilcher and Dr. Pat Greco. Gain insights on improving processes, maximizing outcomes, and identifying hidden inefficiencies. If you’re committed to better serving your employees, students, and families, listen now to learn how to drive peak operational efficiency.

This episode addresses questions such as:

• How does a focus on operational excellence contribute to an organization’s financial health?
• How does the rounding process contribute to process improvement and employee engagement?
• How can leaders harness the expertise of their employees to identify and eliminate process barriers?

Destination High Performance K12 Leadership Conference: Go here to learn more and register.

Recommended Resources: The Culture-Strategy Equation: Reflections from the AASA Conference, Lean In, Stay Curious, and Other Leadership Lessons, Grow Your People

Read and study: Each episode of the podcast aligns with the tactics and principles of our host's book, Hardwiring Excellence in Education: The Nine Principles Framework. In conjunction with that book, you can join the mission to create great places to work, learn, and succeed by leading a book study with your leadership team for Hardwiring Excellence in Education. Our free, on-demand book study offers additional tools and resources created by Dr. Pilcher and our Studer Education leader coaches. Each chapter in the study also features exclusive interviews with influential education leaders sharing how they’re making a difference in their districts and beyond.

Order book here.

Sign up for book study here.

Do you want to see your district’s strategy thrive? Start with your culture. Dr. Janet Pilcher and Dr. Pat Greco unpack the crucial link between school district culture and strategic execution, sharing inspiring examples from superintendents and partners at AASA‘s NCE conference. Listen now to learn how to build a foundation for lasting impact and uncover the essential area that many leaders overlook.

Destination High Performance K12 Leadership Conference: Go here to learn more and register.

Recommended Resources: Fuel Success with a Feedback Loop, Lean In, Stay Curious, and Other Leadership Lessons, Grow Your People

Read and study: Each episode of the podcast aligns with the tactics and principles of our host's book, Hardwiring Excellence in Education: The Nine Principles Framework. In conjunction with that book, you can join the mission to create great places to work, learn, and succeed by leading a book study with your leadership team for Hardwiring Excellence in Education. Our free, on-demand book study offers additional tools and resources created by Dr. Pilcher and our Studer Education leader coaches. Each chapter in the study also features exclusive interviews with influential education leaders sharing how they’re making a difference in their districts and beyond.

Order book here.

Sign up for book study here.

Following the AASA conference and reflecting on recent episodes, Dr. Janet Pilcher highlights the importance of feedback loops in improving organizational performance. Listen as she emphasizes how leaders can use surveys and rounding conversations to gather input, identify areas for improvement, make data-driven decisions, and optimize performance so students can achieve better outcomes.

Destination High Performance K12 Leadership Conference: Go here to learn more and register.

Recommended Resources: Drive Student Achievement with Scorecards, From a System of Schools to a School System, Fuel Success with a Feedback Loop

Read and study: Each episode of the podcast aligns with the tactics and principles of our host's book, Hardwiring Excellence in Education: The Nine Principles Framework. In conjunction with that book, you can join the mission to create great places to work, learn, and succeed by leading a book study with your leadership team for Hardwiring Excellence in Education. Our free, on-demand book study offers additional tools and resources created by Dr. Pilcher and our Studer Education leader coaches. Each chapter in the study also features exclusive interviews with influential education leaders sharing how they’re making a difference in their districts and beyond.

Order book here.

Sign up for book study here.

When Superintendent Dr. Shawn Tennenbaum looks back at his career and wishes he’d started one thing sooner, it’s rounding. Tune in as he explains how the practice of rounding has transformed the San Benito High School District—from the boardroom to the classroom. Listen now to learn how this approach to gathering feedback and integrating it with district services surveys creates a feedback loop that drives positive and lasting change.

Destination High Performance K12 Leadership Conference: Go here to learn more and register.

Recommended Resources: Rounding for Results, Create Connections Through Rounding, Strengthening School Board Collaboration to Drive District Success 

Read and study: Each episode of the podcast aligns with the tactics and principles of our host's book, Hardwiring Excellence in Education: The Nine Principles Framework. In conjunction with that book, you can join the mission to create great places to work, learn, and succeed by leading a book study with your leadership team for Hardwiring Excellence in Education. Our free, on-demand book study offers additional tools and resources created by Dr. Pilcher and our Studer Education leader coaches. Each chapter in the study also features exclusive interviews with influential education leaders sharing how they’re making a difference in their districts and beyond.

Order book here.

Sign up for book study here.

Showing gratitude is an often overlooked yet essential practice for leading organizations effectively. Listen as Dr. Janet Pilcher reveals three practical ways to embed gratitude into your organization and connect your team to their purpose.

Recommended Resources: Cultivating a Culture of Gratitude and Continuous Improvement in the Casa Grande Elementary School District, How Gratitude Anchors Organizations, Pursue Gratitude and Goodwill

Read and study: Each episode of the podcast aligns with the tactics and principles of our host's book, Hardwiring Excellence in Education: The Nine Principles Framework. In conjunction with that book, you can join the mission to create great places to work, learn, and succeed by leading a book study with your leadership team for Hardwiring Excellence in Education. Our free, on-demand book study offers additional tools and resources created by Dr. Pilcher and our Studer Education leader coaches. Each chapter in the study also features exclusive interviews with influential education leaders sharing how they’re making a difference in their districts and beyond.

Order book here.

Sign up for book study here.

"Leaders as Great Coaches of Teams" Series, Part 7

Superintendent Bradley Roberson of Oxford School District is a leader who understands that true improvement transcends individual schools. He's committed to scaling successful practices across his district, throughout the state of Mississippi, and beyond. Join him in a conversation with Dr. Janet Pilcher as they dive into the strategies and culture he's built to achieve organizational excellence and, ultimately, student excellence.

This episode addresses questions such as:

• How do you create synergy and alignment across different schools in the same district?
• Why is organizational excellence essential for student excellence?
• What are the key mindsets and behaviors that drive continuous improvement?

Part 1: Four Focus Areas for Coaching Great Teams (episode page)
Part 2: Building Leadership Capacity Through Daily Huddles (episode page)
Part 3: Create Momentum with Short Cycles of Improvement (episode page)
Part 4: Leaders as Lifelong Learners (episode page)
Part 5: Leaders as Collaborative Teammates (episode page)
Part 6: Drive Student Achievement with Scorecards (episode page)
Part 7: From a System of Schools to a School System (episode page)

Read and study: Each episode of the podcast aligns with the tactics and principles of our host's book, Hardwiring Excellence in Education: The Nine Principles Framework. In conjunction with that book, you can join the mission to create great places to work, learn, and succeed by leading a book study with your leadership team for Hardwiring Excellence in Education. Our free, on-demand book study offers additional tools and resources created by Dr. Pilcher and our Studer Education leader coaches. Each chapter in the study also features exclusive interviews with influential education leaders sharing how they’re making a difference in their districts and beyond.

Order book here.

Sign up for book study here.

"Leaders as Great Coaches of Teams" Series, Part 6

How do you empower students to set learning goals and track their own data? Principal Lori Phillips of Oak Grove Elementary shares with Dr. Janet Pilcher how a schoolwide scorecard drives both student achievement and teacher collaboration. Listen as she shares how working together toward a common goal has broken down silos and improved student test scores, attendance, and behavior.

This episode addresses questions such as:

• What role does a collaborative scorecard play in driving student achievement?
• How can a scorecard build alignment across the school?
• How can schools break down silos and foster a collaborative culture among teachers?

Part 1: Four Focus Areas for Coaching Great Teams (episode page)
Part 2: Building Leadership Capacity Through Daily Huddles (episode page)
Part 3: Create Momentum with Short Cycles of Improvement (episode page)
Part 4: Leaders as Lifelong Learners (episode page)
Part 5: Leaders as Collaborative Teammates (episode page)
Part 6: Drive Student Achievement with Scorecards (episode page)

Read and study: Each episode of the podcast aligns with the tactics and principles of our host's book, Hardwiring Excellence in Education: The Nine Principles Framework. In conjunction with that book, you can join the mission to create great places to work, learn, and succeed by leading a book study with your leadership team for Hardwiring Excellence in Education. Our free, on-demand book study offers additional tools and resources created by Dr. Pilcher and our Studer Education leader coaches. Each chapter in the study also features exclusive interviews with influential education leaders sharing how they’re making a difference in their districts and beyond.

Order book here.

Sign up for book study here.

"Leaders as Great Coaches of Teams" Series, Part 5

Escape the reactive cycle and become a solutions-focused leader. Join Dr. Janet Pilcher as she returns for Part 2 of her interview with Dr. Holly Ellis. Listen as Janet reveals how a systems approach to leadership creates an engaged and productive work environment that tackles root causes and empowers teams to perform at their best. Continuing the discussion from Part 1, she also highlights the importance of leaders acting as both coaches and teammates.

This episode addresses questions such as:

• How do I move beyond a "band-aid" approach to problem-solving and address root causes within my organization?
• What does a systems approach to leadership look like in practice?
• What are the qualities of excellent leaders?

Part 1: Four Focus Areas for Coaching Great Teams (episode page)
Part 2: Building Leadership Capacity Through Daily Huddles (episode page)
Part 3: Create Momentum with Short Cycles of Improvement (episode page)
Part 4: Leaders as Lifelong Learners (episode page)
Part 5: Leaders as Collaborative Teammates (episode page)

Read and study: Each episode of the podcast aligns with the tactics and principles of our host's book, Hardwiring Excellence in Education: The Nine Principles Framework. In conjunction with that book, you can join the mission to create great places to work, learn, and succeed by leading a book study with your leadership team for Hardwiring Excellence in Education. Our free, on-demand book study offers additional tools and resources created by Dr. Pilcher and our Studer Education leader coaches. Each chapter in the study also features exclusive interviews with influential education leaders sharing how they’re making a difference in their districts and beyond.

Order book here.

Sign up for book study here.

"Leaders as Great Coaches of Teams" Series, Part 4

In this special episode, Studer Education's very own Dr. Holly Ellis flips the script and interviews podcast host Dr. Janet Pilcher. Listen to the first half of their conversation as Janet shares her reflections on recent conversations with Dr. Christi Barrett and Dr. Ryan Carpenter, exploring the essential role of coaching and continuous learning in effective leadership. 

This episode addresses questions such as:

• How is coaching integral to effective leadership?
• How can we transition from a compliance-focused mindset to a performance-based mindset?
• How does being a good leader also mean being a good teammate?

Part 1: Four Focus Areas for Coaching Great Teams (episode page)
Part 2: Building Leadership Capacity Through Daily Huddles (episode page)
Part 3: Create Momentum with Short Cycles of Improvement (episode page)
Part 4: Leaders as Lifelong Learners (episode page)

Read and study: Each episode of the podcast aligns with the tactics and principles of our host's book, Hardwiring Excellence in Education: The Nine Principles Framework. In conjunction with that book, you can join the mission to create great places to work, learn, and succeed by leading a book study with your leadership team for Hardwiring Excellence in Education. Our free, on-demand book study offers additional tools and resources created by Dr. Pilcher and our Studer Education leader coaches. Each chapter in the study also features exclusive interviews with influential education leaders sharing how they’re making a difference in their districts and beyond.

Order book here.

Sign up for book study here.