Hallway Conversations with Ed Leaders

This week, Chris and Jeff share another sneak peek into their upcoming Board Certified Coach course, focusing on the module Coaching for Work-Life Balance. In this episode, they explore practical tools and strategies education leaders can use to better manage the demands of leadership while protecting personal well-being. From identifying energy drainers and energizers to setting healthy boundaries, Chris and Jeff highlight approaches that help leaders sustain balance, avoid burnout, and lead with clarity.

Tune in to gain insights you can apply right away—and get a preview of how the course equips coaches to support school leaders in building lasting, healthy practices.

🚨 Plus: Hear how to enroll in their nationally accredited executive coaching certification program—now 25% off for a limited time. Use promo code SUMMERCOACH and check the show notes for more info.

https://edthoughtpartners.learnworlds.com/course/strategic-leadership-coach-certification

Check out Jeff's blog with the framework: https://learningtoleadingbridge.com

Welcome back to the podcast! In this powerful session, we explore how to coach clients through high-stakes conversations—those pivotal moments when emotions run high, reputations are on the line, and leadership is truly tested. Whether it’s a difficult employee review, a tense parent meeting, or a major boardroom discussion, these conversations aren’t rare—they’re routine for anyone in leadership.

This episode has a dual focus:
🔹 Understanding the dynamics of high-stakes conversations
🔹 Coaching your clients to navigate them with clarity, confidence, and composure

We’ll walk through:

• The difference between preparation and perfection

• How to build emotional intelligence and regulate emotions under pressure

• Role-playing and rehearsal techniques for impactful coaching

• How to slow the moment down and make values-aligned decisions

• The coach’s role in reflecting, reframing, and helping clients anticipate responses

Drawing inspiration from Crucial Conversations and the CARS coaching method, we dive deep into strategies that strengthen communication, build trust, and empower leaders to approach these moments with intention.

Key Takeaways:
✔️ Prepare, don’t wing it
✔️ Listening is influence
✔️ Emotions are data, not directions
✔️ Strategic thinking beats emotional reactivity
✔️ Clarity of purpose reduces the chance of being hijacked by stress

Whether you’re guiding clients—or preparing for your own tough conversation—this episode is your essential toolkit.

🚨 Plus: Hear how to enroll in their nationally accredited executive coaching certification program—now 25% off for a limited time. Use promo code SUMMERCOACH and check the show notes for more info.

https://edthoughtpartners.learnworlds.com/course/strategic-leadership-coach-certification

Check out Jeff's blog with the framework: https://learningtoleadingbridge.com

In this episode of Hallway Conversations with Ed Leaders, hosts Chris Galloway and Jeff Price explore one of the most overused—and often misunderstood—concepts in education leadership: buy-in. Is it really about convincing others to follow your lead, or is there a better way?

Drawing from coaching experiences, leadership development, and even a surprising moment from a David Goggin's keynote, Chris and Jeff unpack why shared commitment, not buy-in, should be the goal for campus and district leaders. They explore how to open a school year with clarity, culture, and purpose—especially if you're a new leader navigating unfamiliar territory.

If you're planning your PD week, onboarding new staff, or preparing for your first leadership meeting of the year, this conversation offers real talk, practical insight, and a few laughs along the way.

🚨 Plus: Hear how to enroll in their nationally accredited executive coaching certification program—now 25% off for a limited time. Use promo code SUMMERCOACH and check the show notes for more info.

https://edthoughtpartners.learnworlds.com/course/strategic-leadership-coach-certification

Check out Jeff's blog with the framework: https://learningtoleadingbridge.com

In this powerful episode of Hallway Conversations with Ed Leaders, Chris Galloway and Jeff Price sit down with Superintendent Rose Mary, a Texas rural education leader, to explore the real work behind strategic planning in small districts.

From enrollment declines to staff morale and instructional gaps, Rose Mary shares how vision-building, leadership coaching, and deep community engagement helped her district find direction amidst uncertainty.

Listeners will hear candid reflections on:

• The pressures facing rural schools today

• Why “going slow to go fast” is more than just a cliché

• How strategic planning and landscape analysis shaped district-wide improvement

• The impact of authentic staff conversations and shared accountability

• The importance of seeing visible progress—what she calls the "Michael Phelps Rule"

Whether you're a superintendent, aspiring leader, or coach supporting districts, this episode offers actionable insight into how intentional planning and leadership can transform even the most challenged school communities.

Check out Jeff's blog with the framework: https://learningtoleadingbridge.com

Register for our nationally accredited coaching program and receive 25% off at checkout with code: SUMMERCOACH

https://edthoughtpartners.learnworlds.com/course/strategic-leadership-coach-certification

When the data disappoints and the pressure mounts, how do you lead through the fog of frustration? In this episode of Hallway Conversations with Ed Leaders, Chris, Jeff, and Mark take a vulnerable and authentic dive into what it means to feel, understand, reflect, and act with purpose—even when the scores aren’t where you hoped they’d be.

We explore:

• A 4-step framework for self-coaching through discouragement

• How vulnerability builds trust and capacity in school leadership

• The generational shift in how we handle emotions in professional spaces

• What it looks like to “be the leader your people need”

Whether you’re a superintendent, principal, or teacher-leader, this episode offers a bridge from discomfort to direction. Plus, we highlight Jeff’s powerful companion blog post and share how our coaching certification can help leaders build these critical skills.

Check out Jeff's blog with the framework: https://learningtoleadingbridge.com/2025/06/13/feeling-discouraged-might-mean-youre-doing-it-right/

Register for our nationally accredited coaching program and receive 25% off at checkout with code: SUMMERCOACH

https://edthoughtpartners.learnworlds.com/course/strategic-leadership-coach-certification

Episode Description:
In this powerful episode of Hallway Conversations with Ed Leaders, Chris, Jeff, and Mark get real about what it's like to face the flood of student achievement data at the end of the year—especially when it doesn’t tell the whole story. With raw emotions and raw numbers on the table, they unpack what it means to lead during high-stakes moments.

From sitting on the office floor with a calculator and tears, to navigating board expectations and building a bank of “shiny moments,” this episode speaks directly to principals, superintendents, and district leaders who are wrestling with the tension between accountability and authentic progress.

You’ll hear:

• Why your response to the data matters more than the numbers

• The coaching mindset every leader needs right now

• How to own the narrative when your scores don’t reflect your growth

• Real talk on emotional burnout, political pressure, and professional courage

If you're feeling overwhelmed, defeated, or just plain exhausted by the data—this one’s for you. You’re not alone, and there’s a better way forward.

Check out Jeff's blog post on the same topic: https://learningtoleadingbridge.com/2025/05/30/257/

Visit our website to learn more about our coaching certification program: www.edthoughtpartners.com

In this comeback episode, Chris, Jeff, and Mark explore the essential mindset shift that school leaders must make as the year winds down. Learn why this season isn’t a time to power through — it’s the perfect opportunity to pause, reflect, ask better questions, and recalibrate your vision. They share real talk on strategic planning, hiring with intention, and how to recharge without guilt. If you’re ready to trade the hustle for headspace, this one’s for you.

Check out our coaching courses:

https://edthoughtpartners.learnworlds.com/pages/home?site_template_id=671c0f3a08fc6937c3061d95

Email us: [email protected]

In this episode of Hallway Conversations, Chris Galloway and Jeff Price engage with Dr. Jessica Moreno, an educator with extensive experience in restorative practices. They discuss the importance of building community and relationships in educational settings, particularly in alternative schools. Dr. Moreno shares her insights on implementing restorative practices in both alternative and traditional schools, emphasizing the need for trust and emotional regulation. The conversation highlights the long-term commitment required for effective restorative practices and the impact on both students and educators.

Learn more about our nationally accredited, board-certified coaching program at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Education Thought Partners⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Send your questions to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Stay informed and inspired—subscribe to our weekly leadership newsletter for the latest insights and practical coaching tips! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Check out Jeff's Blog: www.learningtoleadingbridge.com takeaways

• Restorative practices are a complement to traditional discipline, not a replacement.
• Building community is essential, especially in alternative education settings.
• Trust and psychological safety are prerequisites for effective restorative practices.
• Teachers should incorporate relationship-building activities into their daily routines.
• Restorative practices can lead to significant improvements in student behavior and academic performance.
• Engaging students in silly, low-pressure questions can foster connection and trust.
• Restorative practices require time and intentionality to be effective.
• Dysregulated adults cannot effectively support dysregulated children.
• The role of circles in restorative practices is to be introduced after trust is established.
• Feedback and transparency are crucial in building relationships with both students and staff.

In this episode, Chris, Jeff, and Mark explore how education leaders can navigate uncertainty at the local, state, and national levels. Whether facing policy changes, shifting community expectations, or unforeseen challenges, strong leadership is essential.

Join us as we discuss practical strategies for maintaining momentum, fostering trust, and ensuring stability in ever-changing environments. How can leaders inspire confidence in their staff and communities? What mindset shifts are necessary to lead effectively in uncertain times? Tune in for insights, real-world examples, and actionable takeaways for today’s education leaders.

🎧 Listen now and discover how to turn uncertainty into opportunity!

Learn more about our nationally accredited, board-certified coaching program at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Education Thought Partners⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Send your questions to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Stay informed and inspired—subscribe to our weekly leadership newsletter for the latest insights and practical coaching tips! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Strong family engagement is the cornerstone of thriving schools, but what does it truly take to connect with families in meaningful ways? In this episode, Chris, Jeff, and Mark explore strategies to strengthen the partnership between schools and families. They discuss the importance of cultural responsiveness, effective communication, and creating opportunities for authentic collaboration. Whether you're looking to boost parent involvement, navigate challenges, or foster a school community built on trust and inclusion, this conversation is packed with insights and actionable ideas to elevate family engagement in your school.

Learn more about our nationally accredited, board-certified coaching program at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Education Thought Partners⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Send your questions to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Stay informed and inspired—subscribe to our weekly leadership newsletter for the latest insights and practical coaching tips! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.