In this episode of Change Starts Here, host Dustin Odham addresses the unique challenges of the "February slump", a time when fresh start energy has faded and end-of-year milestones are still out of sight. Dustin explores why behavior problems from both students and adults often spike during this period, arguing that these are rarely character issues but rather energy issues fueled by fatigue and disconnection.

Listeners will learn three practical leadership moves to navigate this difficult stretch without burning out: regulating yourself before redirecting others, narrowing the focus to essential behaviors, and catching engagement before correcting behavior. By viewing behavior as feedback rather than failure, leaders can shift from reacting to responding, rebuilding trust and momentum when it is needed most.

Host: Dustin Odham

Timestamps:

(00:00 - 01:45) Introduction

(01:45 - 02:49) Fatigue impacts behavior

(02:49 - 03:50) Energy versus character issues

(03:50 - 05:02) Behavior is information

(05:02 - 06:05) Connection over consequences

(06:05 - 06:39) Regulate yourself first

(06:39 - 07:06) Narrow the focus

(07:06 - 07:58) Catch engagement early

(07:58 - 09:24) Leading from the middle

(09:24 - 09:53) Outro