Why do so many school change initiatives disappear after a year or two?

In this episode of Have a Life Teaching, John Schembari talks with Shane Leaning, leadership consultant, author of Change Starts Here, and host of Education Leaders with Shane Leaning, about why traditional approaches to change often fail and how schools can build change that lasts.

Shane challenges the idea that leaders should identify solutions and then seek staff “buy-in.” Instead, meaningful change begins by involving the school community in understanding the challenge itself.

John and Shane explore resonant change: change that lasts over time, becomes embedded in school structures and practices, and is meaningful to the people involved. They discuss why the problem leaders initially identify is often not the real problem, how cross-role “slice teams” can broaden participation, and why trust, psychological safety, effective meetings, and collaborative decision-making are essential to sustainable improvement.

The conversation also examines the difference between urgent and strategic change, the importance of readiness for change, and why schools should build internal capacity rather than automatically look outside for solutions.

In this episode:

• Why “getting buy-in” may be the wrong starting point
• How to investigate challenges before jumping to solutions
• What makes change resonant and sustainable
• How “slice teams” can support collaborative decision-making
• The role of trust and psychological safety
• Why internal capacity matters
• How small successes can prepare communities for larger change

A conversation for principals, district leaders, instructional coaches, teacher leaders, and anyone working to make school improvement last.

Shane Leaning LinkedIn Page

Efraim Lerner LinkedIn Page

Shane Leaning Webpage

Change Starts Here Book

Music by Aylex