How can principals transform their Monday mornings from dreadful to energizing? Starting Monday strong requires intentional planning and clear boundaries to maintain sustainable leadership. By implementing strategic routines and energy management, principals can create a positive start to their week that sets them up for success.

• The Weekend Pitfall - What you do (or don't do) on weekends matters more than you think
• The Power of Three - A simple prioritization strategy that keeps you focused and realistic
• Setting the Stage - Why preparation isn't just about Monday morning
• Energy Over Time - Understanding your peak performance patterns for better results

*FREE DOWNLOADS*
Decisive Leadership- Free Workshop
The Principal's Email Detox
Principal Checklist to Disconnect From School

*RESOURCES FOR PRINCIPALS*
Transform Your Time: 60 Day Action Plan for Principals
Leadership by Design: The Principal's Custom Habit System

*SOCIAL MEDIA*
Barb Flowers, Ph.D- Linkedin
DrBarbFlowers- Instagram

Ever wonder why certain times of the year turn your school into an emotional pressure cooker? In this essential episode, we dive into the heart of one of education's most challenging aspects - managing the complex web of emotions that flow through your school building. Whether you're dealing with resistance to new initiatives, supporting staff through personal crises, or trying to maintain your own emotional balance as a leader, this episode offers practical strategies that actually work.

You'll discover why some teachers coming to you with their concerns might actually be a good sign (even though it doesn't always feel that way), and learn concrete techniques for supporting your staff without taking on their emotional burden. From creating structured outlets for emotional processing to handling those tricky conversations around major changes like the science of reading transition, we're covering the real challenges you face as a school leader.

For principals looking to build a more emotionally intelligent and resilient school culture while preserving their own well-being, this episode provides the roadmap you've been searching for. Don't miss these game-changing insights that could transform how you approach emotional leadership in your school.

*FREE DOWNLOADS*
Decisive Leadership- Free Workshop
The Principal's Email Detox
Principal Checklist to Disconnect From School

*RESOURCES FOR PRINCIPALS*
Transform Your Time: 60 Day Action Plan for Principals
Leadership by Design: The Principal's Custom Habit System

*FIND ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA*
Barb Flowers, Ph.D- Linkedin
DrBarbFlowers- Instagram

Can grassroots efforts and trained volunteers be the missing piece in solving America's literacy crisis? Join us as we sit down with Leah Galeon, founder of Peak Literacy, who shares her innovative approach to tackling reading challenges through community-powered interventions. In this episode, we explore:

• The compelling story behind Peak Literacy's founding, sparked by Florida's largest racial disparity gap in education, and how a small grant for 15 students evolved into a scalable solution for hundreds of young readers
• An eye-opening discussion about the misdiagnosis of reading disabilities, revealing how many students labeled with dyslexia may simply need proper instruction rather than intensive intervention
• The transformative power of evidence-based programs like Great Leaps and UFLY, showing how students can jump multiple grade levels in just 12 weeks when given the right tools and support
• A fresh perspective on volunteer engagement, moving beyond traditional "lunch buddy" programs to implement structured, research-based interventions that produce measurable results
• The innovative approach to training community members - from college students to retirees - demonstrating how anyone with basic reading skills can be equipped to deliver effective literacy intervention

Listen in as we challenge traditional approaches to reading intervention and explore how schools can leverage community resources to create sustainable, large-scale solutions for struggling readers. This conversation is essential for educators, administrators, and anyone passionate about solving the literacy crisis in our schools.

Learn more about Peak Literacy HERE.

*FREE DOWNLOADS*
Decisive Leadership- Free Workshop
The Principal's Email Detox
Principal Checklist to Disconnect From School

*RESOURCES FOR PRINCIPALS*
Transform Your Time: 60 Day Action Plan for Principals
Leadership by Design: The Principal's Custom Habit System
The Principal's Overwhelm Toolkit

*SOCIAL MEDIA*
Barb Flowers, Ph.D- Linkedin
DrBarbFlowers- Instagram

Are you constantly comparing yourself to other school principals and feeling like you're not measuring up?

In this episode of The Principal's Handbook we explore:

• Why our brains naturally default to negative comparisons and how this impacts school leadership
• The hidden costs of comparison - from rushed decision-making to decreased staff morale
• Practical strategies for breaking free from the "perfect principal" narrative and focusing on your school's unique journey

Learn powerful insights and actionable tips to help you shift from comparison to confidence in your leadership role.

5 Power Phrases for Detoxing Comparison

"My leadership journey is uniquely mine - I trust my experience, instincts, and the deep knowledge I have of my school community. Every decision I make is informed by this invaluable perspective."

"I am exactly where I need to be in my growth as a leader. The challenges I face today are building the wisdom and resilience I'll need tomorrow. Each step, even the difficult ones, has purpose."

"My school's story is beautifully complex and cannot be reduced to simple comparisons. The relationships I build, the small victories we achieve, and the daily impact we make matter more than any external measure."

"I choose to focus on my school's progress rather than comparing it to others. Every improvement, no matter how small, is moving us forward on our unique path to excellence."

"I lead with authenticity and purpose. My worth as a leader isn't measured by social media highlights or others' perceived successes, but by the genuine difference I make in my school community every day."

*FREE DOWNLOADS*
Decisive Leadership- Free Workshop
The Principal's Email Detox
Principal Checklist to Disconnect From School

*RESOURCES FOR PRINCIPALS*
Transform Your Time: 60 Day Action Plan for Principals
Leadership by Design: The Principal's Custom Habit System

*SOCIAL MEDIA*
Barb Flowers, Ph.D- Linkedin
DrBarbFlowers- Instagram

Are you feeling like your role as a principal is unsustainable? In this episode, discover common traps that lead to burnout in school leadership, including perfectionism, poor delegation, and neglecting self-care.

Learn practical strategies to assess your current work-life balance and create more sustainable leadership practices that benefit both you and your school community.

Plus, get reflection questions to help evaluate if your current pace is truly maintainable for the long term.

*FREE DOWNLOADS*
Decisive Leadership- Free Workshop
The Principal's Email Detox
Principal Checklist to Disconnect From School

*RESOURCES FOR PRINCIPALS*
Transform Your Time: 60 Day Action Plan for Principals
Leadership by Design: The Principal's Custom Habit System

*SOCIAL MEDIA*
Barb Flowers, Ph.D- Linkedin
DrBarbFlowers- Instagram

Are those Sunday evening jitters taking over your weekend? 

Here's what this episode reveals about the "Sunday Scaries":

• The Sunday Scaries are a form of anxiety that often affects educators and other professionals, typically appearing as the weekend winds down and work thoughts creep in.
• This anxiety isn't necessarily a sign of job dissatisfaction or burnout - it's often just your brain's protective mechanism dramatizing potential challenges ahead.
• As school leaders, principals play a crucial role in setting the tone for their buildings. Instead of joining the "I hate Mondays" chorus, they should model optimism without falling into toxic positivity.
• The podcast presents four concrete strategies to overcome these feelings, focusing on preparation, routines, and mindset shifts that can transform how leaders approach their work week.
• The key takeaway: While uncertainty is inevitable in education, leaders can bring certainty through their approach and mindset choices, influencing not just their own experience but their entire school community.

*FREE DOWNLOADS*
Decisive Leadership- Free Workshop
The Principal's Email Detox
Principal Checklist to Disconnect From School

*RESOURCES FOR PRINCIPALS*
Transform Your Time: 60 Day Action Plan for Principals
Leadership by Design: The Principal's Custom Habit System

*SOCIAL MEDIA*
Barb Flowers, Ph.D- Linkedin
DrBarbFlowers- Instagram

Are you looking for ways to be be more organized and systematize your success? In this episode we will talk about 5 of my top hacks for organizing yourself. 

We will talk about:

• Proven strategies from an experienced elementary principal to streamline daily operations and enhance productivity
• Time-saving digital and analog tools that help you stay on top of tasks, meetings, and follow-ups
• Practical frameworks to empower staff and maintain clear documentation while reducing administrative burden

Click HERE to get a copy of the Principal and Building Hub.

Connect with Barb on Linkedin HERE.

Check out Barb's Instagram @BarbFlowersCoaching HERE for more tips and strategies!

Sign up HERE for a FREE Consultation and learn more about how I can help you with one-on-one coaching.

Tired of second-guessing your decisions as a principal? Download my free course! Access it here.

Click HERE to get a Free Checklist for Disconnecting from School

What does it take to create effective systems in a school that support both teachers and students while building a positive culture? Nicole Baker, an experienced educator and administrator, shares insights on creating organizational systems that work. Drawing from her experience across multiple states and roles, including superintendent-principal, she discusses:

• Teacher observation and support strategies, including innovative approaches like video observations
• Data tracking systems for student performance with emphasis on avoiding over-assessment
• Building positive school culture by prioritizing staff wellbeing and implementing school-wide behavioral programs
• Practical scheduling approaches involving stakeholder input
• Communication systems including weekly staff updates and regular parent outreach
• Time management techniques for administrators using digital tools

Key highlight is her success in developing a collaborative environment in a small K-8 school, demonstrating how size constraints can be turned into advantages through creative leadership approaches.

Connect with Barb on Linkedin HERE.

Check out Barb's Instagram @BarbFlowersCoaching HERE for more tips and strategies!

Sign up HERE for a FREE Consultation and learn more about how I can help you with one-on-one coaching.

Tired of second-guessing your decisions as a principal? Download my free course! Access it here.

Click HERE to get a Free Checklist for Disconnecting from School

Are your school's collaborative efforts truly making a difference for every student? Join us as we sit down with Kurtis Hewson, an education veteran with 30 years of experience, to explore the transformative Collaborative Response framework. Kurtis shares how this systematic approach helps schools move beyond isolated teaching practices to create intentional, layered support systems for all students. Learn about the four essential team layers, the importance of tiered supports versus tiering students, and practical strategies for implementing effective collaboration in schools of any size. Whether you're leading a school of 25 or 2,500 students, this episode offers valuable insights on leveraging collective expertise to ensure no student slips through the cracks.

Get the Overview of Collaborative Response article

Download the Collaborative Response Book Introductory Chapter

Connect with Barb on Linkedin HERE.

Check out Barb's Instagram @BarbFlowersCoaching HERE for more tips and strategies!

Sign up HERE for a FREE Consultation and learn more about how I can help you with one-on-one coaching.

Tired of second-guessing your decisions as a principal? Download my free course! Access it here.

Click HERE to get a Free Guide for Setting Boundaries

Ever wonder if you should take that next step on the education leadership ladder - or maybe even step off completely?

This episode explores the complex world of career transitions in education, challenging the traditional notion that educators must follow a predetermined career path. Through personal stories and practical advice, listeners learn about navigating moves from teaching to administration and beyond.

Key Points:

• The importance of recognizing when feeling complacent signals time for change
• Understanding that some educators thrive on consistency while others need regular change
• How generational differences affect career longevity and choices
• Why leaving a "perfect" position can sometimes be the right choice
• There's no "right path" in educational leadership

The episode provides guidance for educators wrestling with career decisions, emphasizing the importance of making choices that align with personal values and growth needs rather than external expectations.

*FREE DOWNLOADS*
Decisive Leadership- Free Workshop
The Principal's Email Detox
Principal Checklist to Disconnect From School

*RESOURCES FOR PRINCIPALS*
Transform Your Time: 60 Day Action Plan for Principals
Leadership by Design: The Principal's Custom Habit System
The Principal's Overwhelm Toolkit

*SOCIAL MEDIA*
Barb Flowers, Ph.D- Linkedin
DrBarbFlowers- Instagram