One of the most rewarding parts of hosting Leaning Into Leadership is hearing from listeners who are doing the work every day.

In this episode, Darrin responds to a question from a first-year principal in upstate New York who asked a challenge many school leaders face:

How do you stay responsive to parents while still leading the school effectively?

Parent emails, phone calls, and concerns can quickly fill a leader’s day. Without systems in place, communication can pull leaders into a reactive cycle that leaves little time for the work that matters most.

Drawing from his own experience as a principal and from insights shared on the podcast, Darrin explores how leaders can break free from the Cycle of CHAOS and build systems that protect their time while strengthening communication with their school community.

Along the way, he shares practical strategies that help leaders communicate clearly, set expectations, and stay focused on their highest priorities.

This episode also highlights an idea shared by Rae Hughart in Episode 199 and connects to leadership lessons from Darrin’s book Road to Awesome: The Journey of a Leader.

At the heart of the conversation is a powerful reminder for every leader:

"Stop sacrificing the important on the altar of the urgent."

Resources Mentioned:

Road to Awesome: The Journey of a Leader

School Leader Weekly Planner

Episode 199 – Rae Hughart

Thank you to our Amazing Sponsors

This episode is brought to you by HeyTutor, delivering high-impact, research-based tutoring that supports students while reducing leadership overwhelm. Connect with them at HeyTutor.com

This episode is also sponored by DigiCoach, helping leaders capture real-time instructional data, provide meaningful feedback, and build clarity through strong systems. Go to digicoach.com and tell them you heard about them here on the Leaning into Leadership podcast for special partner pricing.