Sometimes the most powerful response is no response at all.

In this episode of On The Way to School, I’m talking about what happens when we’re triggered in difficult working relationships—and why we often need to process before we respond.

A simple practice has stayed with me for years: write it down before you say it.

Grab a notebook. A Post-it. A Google Doc. Write the sentence you want to say. Name what you’re feeling. Identify what you need. Then stay present.

Not everything requires your commentary. Not every moment requires a reaction. And sometimes, reacting too quickly means giving away the very power we’re trying to protect.

But those notes can also tell you something important. If the same frustrations keep showing up, with the same person or in the same dynamic, pay attention. There may be a deeper issue that needs to be addressed.

Process first. Respond second.

🎙️ On The Way To School

And if you’re on Martha’s Vineyard next week, come join me on Tuesday, August 18, from 12–2:30 at the Martha’s Vineyard Museum for a conversation about Lonely Graduation: And the Journey After the Milestone.

#OnTheWayToSchool #SchoolLeadership #Leadership #EducationLeadership #EmotionalIntelligence #Relationships #SelfLeadership #IndependentSchools #LonelyGraduation

Dr. Chris Dennis returns for season nine with reflections on stepping back, recalibrating, and reclaiming joy by becoming a "tourist" in your own life and school. He shares the importance of revisiting what originally inspired you and highlights the launch of Jabali Academy as a source of community inspiration.

Tune in for a short, uplifting episode about renewing purpose, supporting new educational ventures, and embracing small practices that bring freshness back into daily work.

Dr. Chris Dennis walks through how school leaders can prepare in August to launch a steady school year: setting meeting cadences for direct reports, prioritizing classroom time (his goal is 25%), and staying present with faculty, students, and families.

He shares practical tips—short classroom visits that aren’t evaluations, morning drop-off greetings, balancing teaching and advising, and building a consistent schedule that absorbs inevitable crises—so you start the year ready to lead.

Dr. Chris Dennis delivers a short drop-in episode on why equity work must be embedded in school board governance rather than treated as an add-on.

He outlines practical steps—linking equity priorities to accreditation and core board functions—to make DEI durable, and offers to share resources for trustees ready to operationalize this work.

On the Way to School with Dr. Chris Dennis closes out May with a heartfelt message celebrating educators and administrators for making it to the final week, reflecting on a holiday of remembrance and a sermon about the price of success.

Chris highlights that success often comes from mundane, daily commitments—showing up, persevering, and honoring small acts of dedication—and urges listeners to affirm and celebrate the work they’ve done this year.

Dr. Chris Dennis opens this episode with Memorial Day reflections, honoring those who served while sharing a lighthearted community story about an epic Continuous Uno game.

He then shifts to school leadership advice: use the quiet review week to plan and prepare for a productive summer so your fall can be calm and focused. Finish May strong and take time to rest and appreciate your community.

In this episode Dr. Chris Dennis discusses a Forbes article outlining five signs a leader may need executive coaching—tolerating visible low performers, high performers burning out or quitting, lack of promotions, defensiveness when challenged, and teams afraid to speak the truth.

He explains how coaching supports better change management, accountability, and retention, and encourages educators to identify trusted executive coaches to support their leaders.

Dr. Chris Dennis shares a morning anecdote about reconnecting with a former student and a mentor's advice: "Between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m., your ideas belong to your employer—after 7 p.m., they're yours."

The episode encourages educators to protect their private time, pursue personal goals, and be accountable to their own timelines instead of letting work hours consume creative energy.

Dr. Chris Dennis reflects on end-of-year school traditions and the bittersweet milestones of graduation, then explores the dual nature of leadership—public applause and private loneliness.

He urges educators to lean on professional networks, affinity groups, and associations for support, and encourages listeners to update memberships, volunteer, or lead so they can both receive and give guidance during challenging times.

Host Dr. Chris Dennis drops a short, uplifting message from inside the school day, encouraging educators to trust the systems they’ve put in place and to find moments of joy amid end-of-year stress.

With a live backdrop of students rehearsing and practical reminders to have hard conversations and prepare, this episode offers a calm, reassuring boost to finish the day strong.