“You will like your job more, and have more happiness in your life, if your life is bigger than your work.” - Sage 

In the concluding episode of our 15-part series, we delve into the theme of crafting an identity beyond our professional roles. 

I share insights from my own journey, transitioning from a decade-long career in school counseling, and the profound self-discoveries that came with it. To wrap up, I offer a reflective exercise designed to encourage you to contemplate your identity beyond work.

Key takeaways from today’s Pep Talk:

• Exploring the deep connection between our jobs and our sense of self

• Lessons learned from my personal shift in career paths and the impact on my identity

• A final, thought-provoking exercise to inspire and empower you

Connect and find more resources:

The Principal Leadership Program

Executive Coaching, Training & Facilitation

Speaking

Let’s connect on LinkedIn!

Love the show? Please tell all your colleagues about it! And rate it and review it on Apple Podcasts. Just a few short words really helps folks to find the show.  Thank you :)

“People are messy. Human beings are complicated. We're big balls of feelings and reactivity. So communication is really hard, it's nuanced. It has subtlety, it has artistry. But it also has skills that can be learned.” - Sage 

In this episode, we delve into the essence of communication and the art of doing it effectively. I share the tenets of the Communication for Connection framework so you can have a tangible tool to implement in your crucial roles.

Key takeaways from today’s Pep Talk:

• What it means to communicate for connection

• 5 key components of this powerful framework

• Why compassion is both critical and challenging  

Connect and find more resources:

The Principal Leadership Program

Executive Coaching, Training & Facilitation

Speaking

My Book: Naked Communication

Let’s connect on LinkedIn!

Love the show? Please tell all your colleagues about it! And rate it and review it on Apple Podcasts. Just a few short words really helps folks to find the show.  Thank you :)

“Yes, you have to attend to this crazy job and all that comes up. But, how you attend to all the things matters.” - Sage 

In this episode, we look at what we can do to counter the endless things that get thrown at you as a principal. I emphasize the critical nature of HOW you tackle your various responsibilities and obstacles and why it’s essential to deliberately make time to embrace and appreciate the joy inherent in your role. 

Key takeaways from today’s Pep Talk:

• The importance of HOW you address everything on your plate

• Cultivating your emotional intelligence skills

• Carving out time for the joy in your job 

Connect and find more resources:

The Principal Leadership Program

Executive Coaching, Training & Facilitation

Speaking

Let’s connect on LinkedIn!

Love the show? Please tell all your colleagues about it! And rate it and review it on Apple Podcasts. Just a few short words really helps folks to find the show.  Thank you :)

“I've heard again and again [leaders] wondering how to manage supervising school events if it becomes legal for parents to carry guns to these events. Again, there's no training on this.” - Sage 

In this episode, I highlight the pressures of polarizing cultural events using a real example of a principal who navigated the controversy of a Black Lives Matter poster in a teacher's classroom. As we touch upon modern dilemmas faced by educators, I remind you that school leaders are tasked with dealing with WAY more than most graduate programs provide in terms of conflict resolution and de-escalation. AND, despite that, you've still got what it takes!

Key takeaways from today’s Pep Talk:

• The complex challenges of modern education

• The pressure for school leaders to maintain a productive learning environment despite unprecedented political circumstances 

• How to navigate real time challenges when politics and strong beliefs enter the school culture 

Connect and find more resources:

The Principal Leadership Program

Executive Coaching, Training & Facilitation

Speaking

Let’s connect on LinkedIn!

Love the show? Please tell all your friends and colleagues about it! And rate it and review it on Apple Podcasts. Just a few short words really helps folks to find the show.  Thank you :)

“...If you really were in danger and facing down a lion, you would be breathing heavily, probably out of your mouth. So, when we breathe deeply through our nose, we can automatically send a message to our body that we’re safe. We're okay.” - Sage 

In this episode we talk about what you can do right now to mitigate feeling like you're drowning in your job. I give three “nuggets” to try in your day- to-day and, as always, leave you with a reminder of how ridiculously important the work you do is! 

Key takeaways from today’s Pep Talk:

• We reiterate the importance of breathing from episode three “Peeing Meditation.” 

• Being resourced. When you feel like you're in over your head, who or what could help? 

• The four D’s of productivity and seeing what's most urgent in a situation.

Connect and find more resources:

The Principal Leadership Program

Executive Coaching, Training & Facilitation

Speaking

Let’s connect on LinkedIn!

Love the show? Please tell all your friends and colleagues about it! And rate and review it on Apple Podcasts. Just a few short words really helps folks to find the show.  Thank you :)

“Often folks just need to be heard, and oftentimes it's not about you or something you did wrong, or even something that's inside of your control.” - Sage 

In episodes 7 and 9 I talked about the first two themes I’ve noticed that will improve your ability to lead well. Today, we're tackling the third theme… and it’s a tricky one. Our focus is on non-defensiveness—mastering the art of receiving feedback without taking it personally. 

Key takeaways from today’s Pep Talk:

Being a “punching bag” for angry parents.

How do you, as a leader, handle input? 

How do you give input?

What if the feedback you are receiving is actually more of an attack?

Connect and find more resources:

The Principal Leadership Program

Executive Coaching, Training & Facilitation

Speaking

Let’s connect on LinkedIn!

Love the show? Please tell all your friends and colleagues about it! And rate it and review it on Apple Podcasts. Just a few short words really helps folks to find the show.  Thank you :)

“In my work with leaders, I make it a point to give them clear and specific recognition when I see them utilizing a new skill, like courageous communication or self-compassion.” - Sage 

In this episode we follow up on our theme from episode seven: This One Thing Will Make You a Better Leader. We discuss the importance of authentic recognition and what it means to you, your staff, and anyone you interact with in your role as a principal. 

Key takeaways from today’s Pep Talk:

The (evidence-based) importance of authentic recognition.

Tailoring recognition to different needs. 

A story of how I helped a principal I worked with implement this in their work and an invitation for you to try it too.

Connect and find more resources:

The Principal Leadership Program

Executive Coaching, Training & Facilitation

Speaking

Let’s connect on LinkedIn!

Love the show? Please tell all your friends and colleagues about it! And rate it and review it on Apple Podcasts. Just a few short words really helps folks to find the show.  Thank you :)

Resource mentioned:

Jack Zenger and Joseph Folkman - Do You Tell Your Employees You Appreciate Them?

“Something that a lot of educators enjoy inside of the classroom is creating things to do with their students and their learners. And then they get into administration and it doesn't always feel creative anymore.” - Sage 

In this episode we ​​emphasize the transformative power of fun and discuss strategies for intentionally infusing enjoyment into our work. Moreover, we advocate for maintaining an open mind, embracing the potential to infuse elements of fun into various aspects of our professional lives.

Key takeaways from today’s Pep Talk

Having fun isn't just an incentive to do something, it can actually make what you're doing better. 

Designing fun into your work. 

Having an open mind about what you get to make fun. 

Connect and find more resources:

The Principal Leadership Program

Executive Coaching, Training & Facilitation

Speaking

On LinkedIn

Love the show? Please tell all your colleagues about it! And rate it and review it on Apple Podcasts. Just a few short words really helps folks to find the show.  Thank you :)

Resource:

Article on Laughter and Learning 

“You've heard about active listening. BUT, knowing something vs. doing something are different. You know this as an educator… our knowledge and behaviours don't always match” - Sage 

In this episode we discuss the importance of honing the skill of genuine listening, offering practical tips to bridge the gap between comprehension and application. Additionally, we examine techniques for tangibly demonstrating that you've truly heard someone.

Key takeaways from today’s Pep Talk

• The world is distracting! Really listening to what people are saying can be hard, but it's possible and beneficial for everyone. 

• How “getting it” can be a game changer for conflict resolution and deescalation. 

• How to show that you have heard someone. 

Connect and find more resources:

The Principal Leadership Program

Executive Coaching, Training & Facilitation

Speaking

On LinkedIn

Love the show? Please tell all your friends and colleagues about it! And rate it and review it on Apple Podcasts. Just a few short words really helps folks to find the show.  Thank you :)

“Don't go it alone and reinvent the wheel… The more constrained we feel, the more we think we just need to double down and figure it out.” - Sage 

In this episode we talk about a situation that's likely all too familiar: the challenge of finding coverage. What are ways that you can work through this issue not only in the moment, but in future situations as well?

Key takeaways from today’s Pep Talk

• The teacher shortage is REAL.

• What you can do to navigate a coverage issue (for the school’s sake and for your own wellbeing)

• How can fostering great colleague relationships help fight the challenges facing education? 

Connect and find more resources:

The Principal Leadership Program

Executive Coaching, Training & Facilitation

Speaking

On LinkedIn

Love the show? Please tell all your friends and colleagues about it! And rate it and review it on Apple Podcasts. Just a few short words really helps folks to find the show.  Thank you :)