Do you feel the pressure of perfectionism taking over? You’re not alone. Many principals I coach struggle with the need to do everything right. In this episode, I dive into the hidden cost of perfectionism—also known as the stickler saboteur from Positive Intelligence—and how it can quietly sabotage your performance, relationships, and well-being. Plus, I share mindset shifts to help you start reframing perfectionism in your leadership journey.

Take the free Saboteur Assessment here.

*FREE DOWNLOADS*
The Principal's Email Detox
Decisive Leadership- Free Workshop
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

In this episode of The Principal's Handbook, Barb discussed the 'Principal's Email Detox,' a free resource designed to help school leaders manage email overload. Barb addresses the common challenge of email addiction among principals, highlighting the negative impact of constant email checking on wellbeing and productivity. She shares practical steps to detox from email, including removing email from your phone, setting clear expectations with staff, gradually reducing after-hour email checks, establishing scheduled email blocks during school hours, and prioritizing alternative communication methods. Tune in to regain control of your time and model healthy work-life boundaries for your school community.

*FREE DOWNLOADS*
The Principal's Email Detox
Decisive Leadership- Free Workshop
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

Do you struggle with wanting to control situations as a principal? Is it hard for you to release control? In this episode we are exploring how principals can use Mel Robbins' Let Them Theory to release control and focus on what is in our direct circle of influence. Join us as we dive into why we often feel an anxiety-based need to take charge, the costs of excessive control on school culture, and practical strategies to shift your leadership approach.

We'll explore real-world examples of the Let Them Theory in action—from curriculum implementation to parent interactions—and provide a framework for determining what truly falls within your sphere of influence. Through engaging discussions and actionable tips, you'll learn how to acknowledge what others will do ("Let them") while focusing on your empowered response ("Let me").

*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

Do you overthink everything as a principal? Do you overthink evaluations, discipline issues, dealing with teachers and parents? If that sounds like you, then this episode is for you. 

In this episode we talk about:

• What overthinking is
• Common triggers for overthinking
• Negative impacts on your teaching
• Practical solutions

*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

Do you struggle with getting teachers onboard with RTI interventions? Do you have teachers who default students to special ed without any data? Join me on this episode where I have a conversation with Dr. Kate Anderson Foley, an experienced educational consultant, about:

• Creating a more integrated approach to support all students, not just those with special needs
• Moving beyond traditional intervention models to something more responsive and effective
• Empowering school leaders to create systems where every student can succeed

This thought-provoking conversation challenges conventional thinking about special education and offers practical insights for educational leaders looking to make meaningful change.

Connect with Dr. Kate Anderson Foley on Linkedin.

Visit Dr. Kate Anderson Foley's Website.

*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

Do you wish you could be more proactive and less reactive as a principal? In this podcast episode we talk about the importance of a custom habit system for principals so they can be intentional with the things they want to be able to do in their building. We talk about the following:

• Benefits of Developing Leadership Habits
• Why Principals Struggle with Consistent Habits
• Factors That Influence Habit Development
• Four Ways to Create New Habits
• Importance of Tracking Habits

If you want to create your own customized habit tracking system, get Leadership by Design: The Principal's Custom Habit System. I provide everything you need to create your own habit system and it is only $7!

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

*RESOURCES FOR PRINCIPALS*
The Principal's Overwhelm Toolkit
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

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