Why Qualified Aspiring School Leaders Still Fail Interviews

Most aspiring school leaders do the coursework and complete the internship — yet still walk into interviews feeling unprepared. The problem isn’t qualifications. It’s that their mindset hasn’t shifted into leadership yet.

In this episode, Dr. Donovan Smalls II breaks down three foundational mindset shifts that immediately strengthen school leadership interview prep — the same shifts hiring panels actually listen for.

These aren’t advanced tricks. They’re the basics most candidates overlook, and that’s exactly why they separate strong finalists from average applicants.

Learn:

1️⃣ Why visibility matters more than authority

2️⃣ Why every internship isn’t the same — and why intention matters

3️⃣ Why studying multiple leaders builds range

If you’re preparing for assistant principal or school leadership interviews, this perspective shift can completely change how you answer questions — and how confident you sound doing it.

Hiring committees aren’t looking to be impressed. They’re looking for a strong leadership foundation they can train and build on.

Timestamps:

0:00 – Why qualified leaders still feel unprepared

1:38 – Mindset Shift #1: Visibility over authority

5:22 – Leadership vs management explained

6:34 – Mindset Shift #2: Intentional internships

10:27 – Mindset Shift #3: Building leadership range

15:29 – Why basics win interviews

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About Dr. Donovan Smalls I:

Dr. Donovan Smalls II is an educator, best-selling author, and school leadership coach. He helps aspiring school leaders confidently land their first leadership role and lead with impact from day one.

📘 Book: Beyond the Classroom 🔗 https://shorturl.at/74Bgy

1:1 interview prep & leadership coaching:

🔗 https://donovansmalls2.com/coaching