In this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, Nate McClennen sits down with Dr. Adel DiOrio to explore how school leaders can move from fragmented initiatives to real coherence through knowledge management, transformational leadership, and coaching. Drawing on her research in rural school systems and insights from The Coach's Playbook, Adel shares why documenting what works, building strong relationships, and leading with intention are essential to sustaining improvement over time. From the power of "if you think it, ink it" to the life-changing influence of coaches and leaders, this conversation offers practical wisdom for principals, superintendents, teachers, and anyone working to build stronger, more human-centered schools.

Outline

• (0:00) Introduction & Guest Welcome
• (5:56) Adel's Background & Career Path
• (12:05) Leadership & Building Cohesive Teams
• (19:07) Knowledge Management Research
• (24:08) Dissertation Findings & Practical Takeaways
• (37:51) The Coach's Playbook
• (47:06) Wrap-Up & Key Takeaways

Links

• Watch the full video here
• Read the full blog here
• LinkedIn