School Leadership Reimagined

At their best, PLCs are a space where teachers solve real instructional problems, grow together, and make a measurable difference for students. But for too many schools, PLCs have become rigid, compliance-driven meetings that leave teachers disengaged and frustrated. In this episode, we unpack why most PLCs have lost their way—and what it takes to bring them back to life. You'll discover the one thing every successful PLC does differently, the hidden reason your teams may be going through the motions, and a smarter way to reboot your PLCs so they actually improve instruction. If your teams are stuck in checklist mode or you're tired of pretending your PLCs are working when they're not, this episode is your wake-up call. If your PLCs feel like busywork instead of a powerful engine for student success, this episode will challenge you to see them in a whole new way—#LikeABuilder.

It's here! Our annual Summer Reading List episode, and it's one of our most popular for a reason. This year, I'm sharing five non-education books every educator should read -- smart, practical, thought-provoking titles that weren't written for school administrators but offer powerful insights every Builder can use. From rethinking professional development to designing systems that actually work, this year's picks will help you design smarter systems, and create the kind of school culture where success becomes predictable. If you're ready for fresh ideas, bold thinking, and a few game-changing “aha” moments, you'll want to grab these titles and then put them into action #LikeABuilder  

You've got the vision. You've listened to the podcast. You've even started trying some Buildership moves in your school. But if you're still piecing things together without a real plan or support, you're not building—you're borrowing. And borrowing might be the very thing holding you back. In this episode, we're getting honest about what it really takes to go from “inspired” to in motion—and why dabbling in Buildership can't deliver 100% success. This isn't about pressure. It's about possibility. Let's talk about what shifts when you stop collecting strategies and start owning the work #LikeABuilder.

If you're always the one carrying the plan—chasing the deadlines, keeping the vision alive, and pushing things forward while your team drifts—this episode is for you. In this episode, I'm sharing the moment I realized traditional summer planning was setting school leaders up to fail. I'll tell you the story that changed everything for me, why most SIPs fall apart by October, and how you can shift from compliance-based plans to ones your team actually owns. If you're already thinking about next year, this is the episode you need before you start planning so you can plan this summer #LikeABuilder.

You're probably wrapping up the school year and already planning for next year, believing better plans mean better results. But what if that belief is fundamentally flawed? In this episode, discover why even your best plans fall apart without a compelling vision. Learn why Builders spend their summers differently—crafting visions that truly align and energize their teams. Stop wasting time on tactics that won't stick and make this the summer you build something truly transformative #LikeABuilder.

You've written your 100% Vision, embraced the language of Buildership, and maybe even started using some of the tools, but if you're still making decisions, managing your team, and approaching your work like a leader, you're going to stay stuck. In this episode, we're unpacking the subtle ways leadership habits sneak back in, even when you believe in the vision, and why you can't build a 100% school using the same strategies you used when you were chasing 5% gains. It's not about working harder. It's about working differently #LikeABuilder

Everyone focuses on getting teachers to stay. Almost no one asks what we can learn when they leave. That's why this week, we're doing a replay of one of our most talked-about episodes. You'll discover a deceptively simple but deeply powerful strategy that most school leaders overlook, and why skipping it could be costing you insight, trust, and long-term alignment. Even if you've heard it before, listen again with fresh ears. There's a good chance what you missed last year is exactly what you need to hear now to build a stronger school culture this year #LikeABuilder.

It's that time of year when everyone's quietly tapping out. Teachers, students, even your best systems seem to be running on fumes. But what if the real problem isn't burnout… it's cultural drift? In this episode, we're digging into why the usual end-of-year leadership advice falls flat and what Builders do differently to keep staff meaningfully engaged in May. If you're ready to finish the year with purpose and set the stage for a stronger year next year, this episode will show you how to do it #LikeABuilder.

Next week, schools everywhere are celebrating Teacher Appreciation Week. But, what if we're celebrating the wrong things? In this episode, we explore how appreciation can unintentionally reinforce exhaustion, compliance, or martyrdom, and how Builders do it differently. You'll learn how to use Teacher Appreciation Week as a strategic moment to reinforce your school's vision, elevate your culture, and align your team for what comes next. From the Builder's Appreciation Formula to powerful WOW moments like the Block of Impact and the Builder Tunnel, this episode will help you celebrate with clarity and purpose so what gets celebrated now becomes what gets repeated all year long #LikeABuilder.

What if one 15-minute conversation could give you more insight than a walkthrough, a post-observation conference, or a data meeting ever could? In this episode, I'm sharing how quarterly one-on-ones helped me build deeper alignment, spark authentic reflection, and finally understand what was really happening in classrooms. You'll hear how I used them, what shifted, and why they're the most powerful system most school administrators aren't using (yet). If you've ever felt like you're chasing accountability, clarity, or follow-through…this might be the missing piece.  

When everything feels like it's falling apart—mandates shift, morale dips, and chaos creeps into the day-to-day—most principals scramble to hold things together. But Builders do something different. Instead of reacting, they anchor. In this episode, Discover how the Buildership Model isn't something you abandon in hard times—it's what carries you through them. In fact, when time's get tough, Builders double down on purpose, people, and process because doing so isn't idealistic, it's strategic. If you're tempted to hustle harder or power through, this episode is your reminder: there's a better way. Stay grounded in your purpose, lean on your people, and trust your processes (even when the pressure's on) #LikeABuilder. 

Ever had a boss shut down your work—not because it wasn't working, but because it wasn't their idea? In this episode, I'm talking about how to manage up like a Builder, especially when your boss is still stuck in traditional leadership thinking. I'll share five practical strategies to help you protect your vision, navigate resistance, and keep building—even when your supervisor doesn't see the value yet. Plus, I'll show you how to turn that pushback into a powerful tool that actually advances your vision. If you've ever had your hand slapped or felt like you had to fight for every inch of progress because someone above you didn't get it, then discover how to manage your boss #LikeABuilder.   

Most principals treat the master schedule like a logistical puzzle—but what if the real problem isn't the puzzle pieces, but the picture you're trying to build? In this episode, I unpack why master scheduling feels so frustrating, what fear is really driving all those revisions and pushbacks, and what it would look like to create a schedule that truly reflects your school's vision. If you're tired of last-minute chaos, endless tweaks, and staff confusion, this episode will change the way you see scheduling forever. It's time to stop surviving the schedule and start using it to advance your 100% vision #LikeABuilder.

This week's episode is more personal than most. I just learned that one of my longtime mentors is dying, and it's made me pause and reflect on the profound impact mentorship has had on my journey. In this episode, I share what it really means to have a mentor, not just someone who gives advice, but someone who sees who you're becoming and helps you grow into that vision. I also explore how the right mentor can change your trajectory, and why being in the right rooms with the right people matters more than we often realize. It's a reminder of how we grow, how we build, and how we show up for others #LikeABuilder.

Testing season is here, bringing intense pressure that can derail instruction, school culture, and teacher morale. With district mandates looming and high-stakes assessments weighing on students and staff, it's easy for schools to shift into panic mode. But Builders take a different approach—one that prioritizes real learning while still achieving strong results. In this episode, discover how to navigate testing season without letting it consume your school, refocus on what truly moves the needle, and equip students with the confidence and skills they need to show what they know #LikeABuilder.

Every spring, schools hit a slump—teachers check out, students lose focus, and principals feel like they're the only ones holding everything together. The typical response? Push harder, pile on accountability, and try to ‘motivate' people back into action. But Builders know better. In this episode, we'll unpack why the Spring Slump isn't a motivation problem—it's a misalignment problem. Instead of fighting to sustain momentum, you'll learn how to realign your school so that teachers and students stay engaged naturally. If you're tired of pushing, it's time to shift the way you work—#LikeABuilder.    

Who you listen to matters more than you think. As a Builder, you're not just leading—you're transforming schools in ways that most people around you don't understand. But if the loudest voices in your ear are supervisors focused on compliance, colleagues who don't share your vision, or skeptics who think you're aiming too high, their doubts can start shaping your decisions without you even realizing it. In this episode, we'll unpack how the wrong influences can slowly pull you back into the status quo, how to evaluate who's really supporting your growth, and how to surround yourself with the right people who will challenge, inspire, and push you forward #LikeABuilder.

In this episode, I break down the 5 In/5 Out Process—a simple but powerful strategy every principal should implement before the school year ends. You'll learn how this method helps eliminate learning gaps, reduces teacher overwhelm, and creates a seamless path for student success. Plus, I'll share an unexpected benefit: how it can strengthen your school culture and foster shared accountability. So tune in to this episode to discover how you can give your teachers clarity and set your students up for success #LikeABuilder.

We're hitting rewind on this episode because it couldn't be more relevant right now. With so many changes happening and looming, this is the perfect time to look at how to deal with district demands. If you've ever felt like district demands keep you from pursuing your 100% vision then today's episode is for you. Discover how to secure the support of your district for your 100% vision, and how to keep district demands from derailing your progress. If you are currently struggling to move forward or you feel bogged down by district demands, you'll walk away with practical insight on how to comply with your district without sacrificing your 100% vision #LikeABuilder.

Is your staff truly aligned, or are you constantly chasing, checking, and correcting just to keep things moving? Hidden misalignment is one of the biggest reasons schools struggle to sustain momentum and most principals don't recognize it until it's too late. In this episode, we'll explore the three biggest ways misalignment is slowing you down, how to tell if your school has surface-level vs. true alignment, and what the most effective principals do differently to make alignment automatic. If you've ever thought, “Things are mostly fine, so why does it feel like I'm pushing so hard?” then this episode is for you. Tune in now to learn how to build a school where alignment happens naturally #LikeABuilder.

If you're constantly chasing, checking, and correcting your staff, you don't have an unmotivated teacher problem—you have an alignment problem. The real reason teachers aren't fully committed isn't because they don't care, it's because they don't have the feedback, support, culture, and accountability needed to take full ownership of their work. In this episode, we're breaking down the 4 Staff Alignment Levers—Feedback, Support, Culture, and Accountability—and how they help teachers do the right work, the right way, for the right reasons, even when you're not looking. Plus, I'll share what to do if you've missed the Staff Alignment Challenge and how you can get your personalized Staff Alignment Roadmap in Monday's live Masterclass. So tune in today to discover how you can get your entire staff aligned #LikeABuilder.

Are you tired of putting in endless hours chasing small wins that never seem to add up? In this episode, we're pulling back the curtain on why small wins and incremental growth are keeping your school stuck—and how Builders achieve transformational, exponential results instead. Discover why your current approach to school improvement might actually be working against you, the hidden cost of fragmented efforts, and the one mindset shift that can align your staff and energize your entire school. If you're tired of chasing small wins and feeling like you're on a constant treadmill, today's episode will help you break free from the grind and create exponential success #LikeABuilder

Feeling overwhelmed by uncertainty? You're not alone—but Builders have a secret for turning chaos into clarity. In this episode of School Leadership Reimagined, we're diving into the simple yet powerful steps Builders use to transform even the most overwhelming challenges into manageable, solvable tasks. I'll walk you through the exact process Builders rely on (and yes, I even pulled out my iPad to sketch it all out—catch the video version on YouTube!). By the end of this episode, you'll know exactly how to stop stressing over uncertainty and start tackling any challenge you face with confidence and control. So, don't just manage uncertainty—BU the heck out of it. #LikeABuilder.

Ever feel like you're spinning your wheels trying to get your staff on the same page? In this week's podcast, I'm breaking down what “staff alignment” really means—and why so many traditional leadership strategies fail to achieve it. We'll explore why compliance isn't enough, the four key actions that actually drive alignment, and how small shifts in feedback, support, accountability, and culture can transform your team. If you're ready to stop wasting time on ineffective strategies and start building true alignment around your vision, this episode is for you. Listen now and learn how to align your staff #LikeABuilder.

I'm pulling back the curtain on how to transform walkthroughs from a dreaded chore into a powerful leadership tool that builds trust, empowers teachers, and drives school-wide success. I'll share my personal journey of reimagining the walkthrough process—turning it into a meaningful practice that delivers actionable insights, strengthens relationships, and creates a culture of collaboration. Whether walkthroughs feel like just another hoop to jump through or you're ready to make them truly impactful, this episode will show you how to conduct walkthroughs #LikeABuilder

Happy New Year! This week, I'm sharing the biggest lessons of 2024 that I am taking with me into 2025. I say “lessons” but it's really just one big lesson I had to learn over and over again. I'm hoping to save you the trouble by breaking down the lesson here so that you can learn from my mistakes and walk into 2025 more successful #LikeABuilder. 

Today is Christmas and I am spending time with my family but I didn't want to leave you hanging. So here's one of my favorite episodes from last year. Do you feel like you've only got this ONE school year to make a difference? If so, you're probably chasing the quick wins, putting an enormous amount of pressure on yourself and your teachers, and staying on the school improvement hamster wheel. Builders don't operate under that kind of pressure. Instead, Builders play the long game. They think in 3-year time horizons and as a result, accomplish more with significantly less stress. It's time to get off the hamster wheel. Discover how you too can play the long game #LikeABuilder

This week, we're wrapping up our series on Questions Worth Asking with the hardest one yet: Do you REALLY believe in your 100% vision? It seems like a simple question on the surface. You might even be thinking “of course I do!” but let me ask you this: If you truly believed in your vision, would you be doing what you're doing in your school right now? You see, it's one thing to believe that your 100% vision is admirable or even desirable. It's another thing to be convicted that your vision is possible for you. And without that conviction, you may be acting in ways that subtly undermine your vision. So this week's podcast is a real gut check, one that I had to go through myself. But, I believe it's one of the most important questions you can ask yourself if you're going to reach your vision #LikeABuilder. 

Do you know your 80/20? In other words, do you know what work you do that is primarily responsible for the success you've gained? And more important, are you investing most of your time and energy in the 20% or are you wasting time on work that is giving you little in return. That's the question we're examining as we continue our series on Questions that are worth asking. If you want to see more results for your efforts, it's critical that you understand your 80/20. So tune in to today's podcast so that you can discover your 80/20 #LikeABuilder. 

Do you know the impact that every position in your school has on your ability to achieve your 100% vision? It's a question most administrators never ask themselves even though your ability to achieve your vision relies on the answer to this question.  In today's episode,  I'll talk about why this question is so important and walk you through some examples to help you answer this question for yourself  #LikeABuilder.

What rules are you following that no longer apply? That's the question we're considering this week and it's important because too many of us are being held hostage by rules that no longer apply. But, because Builders question everything, you don't have to stay trapped by outdated rules. Tune into today's episode to discover how you can free yourself of the weight of old rules #LikeABuilder.

Have you ever felt trapped, like your options are limited and you really don't like any of the options available? Usually, we feel like our only recourse is to hold our noses and choose the least offensive option. But, that's not what Builders do. You see, if you are a Builder and you don't like your options, instead of settling for what's in front of you, you change the game by asking different questions. That's why this week, we're starting a brand new series about a few questions that help you change the game and give yourself more and better options. If you're feeling like you don't have a lot of options right now and you don't like the options you do have, tune into this week's podcast to discover how you can build new options for yourself #LikeABuilder.   

So many leaders complain that they feel constantly overwhelmed. But, when you become a Builder, you realize that it doesn't have to be that way. You don't have to live in a state of overwhelm. On today's episode, I'm sharing how Builders escape feeling overwhelmed. Once you know and live this secret, you'll know how to eliminate overwhelm from your work. And the more you practice it, the less you'll be able to remember or relate to the feeling of overwhelm so many administrators experience because you know how to eliminate overwhelm #LikeABuilder. 

Have you ever thought about your job and wondered, “Is this really all there is?”If so, then today's episode is for you. You see, the reason we can sometimes feel that way has to do with a myth we were all taught to believe about leadership. Today, I'm going to expose that myth and show you how Builders find deep fulfillment in their work. Even if you are completely happy in your role, this episode will protect you from falling into the trap of excellence and help you remain happy and fulfilled in your work. So whether you are currently fulfilled or if you secretly wonder whether this is all there is, today's episode will help you anchor in the heart of the work #LikeABuilder. 

One of the more misguided pieces of leadership advice out there is that you need to set boundaries with people. I understand the thinking behind the advice, but in practice, boundaries are more designed to keep people out than invite them to partner with you towards a common goal. Plus, the requirement that you “enforce” your boundaries puts all the onus on you. Builders are less concerned about boundaries and more focused on creating shared agreements. That way, both parties are responsible and both parties work together to achieve the desired goals. On today's episode, I'm breaking down how you can build powerful agreements #LikeABuilder. 

There are a lot of principals who say they want 100%, but in reality, they have gotten pretty comfortable where they are. They're not the worst school in the district they reason, and they are at least making some tiny incremental gains. So although they would LOVE to do better, things could be worse. Frankly, the system is set up to make us comfortable with “good enough.” But it's all a trap. On today's episode, I want to challenge this idea of good enough and shake us all out of our comfort zone. And, if you've gotten a little too comfortable lately, my goal is to give you the boost you need to stick to your goals #LikeABuilder.

There are few things in our jobs more frustrating than having a teacher completely ignore our feedback, especially when we know that things need to improve in their classrooms. The problem isn't you, it's the way we were trained. In fact, there are 3 things we were trained to do when giving teachers feedback that actually make our feedback EASY to ignore. On today's podcast, I'm breaking down those 3 things and show you how to fix them so that you can give teachers feedback that they will embrace and implement #LikeABuilder.

This is part 2 of a 2-part series on how to build true accountability with teachers. In this episode, discover the 3-step process Builders use to handle it when someone breaks an agreement. Find out how to quickly repair the break and get back on track, how to handle a pattern of agreement breaking without destroying your school culture, and how to use even a tough situation to keep building #LikeABuilder. 

This is part 1 of a 2-part series on how to build true accountability with teachers where you'll discover the powerful tool Builders use to build true accountability with their staff. Find out the specific 6 steps you need to take to create an accountable agreement and learn why we were trained to  “hold teachers accountable” is a trap. By the time you're done, you'll know exactly how to set teachers up to do the right work the right way even when you're not looking #LikeABuilder. 

If you're looking for a solution to a BIG problem or challenge in your school, discover the simple question I use time and time again to help me solve my most persistent student, teacher, and school issues   Then find out how you can use this same question to stopIt working so hard trying to tweak your way to your goals and and instead find the ONE thing that creates tangible and dramatic growth for your school #LikeABuilder.

Most of us were trained that our job as administrators is to be a problem solver. So we dutifully go into work and spend all our time trying to solve problems.   Except, that means… We spend all our time trying to get teachers to implement our solutions “with fidelity.” Everyone comes to us to solve their problems and no one is taking ownership. We feel pressure to always have the answers. The work seems never-ending. Builders know that being a problem solver is a trap. That's why Builders don't worry about solving problems. Instead, Builders focus on finding the right problems to solve and then work with our staff and students to help them solve their own problems. So check out today's podcast where you'll discover how to get out of the problem-solving trap and empower others to solve their own problems #LikeABuilder. 

We hear a lot about how principals should take time for self care, but in this week's episode, we explore what true self care looks like. While spa appointments, massages, and lattes are great, they don't solve the issues of an overcrowded schedule, intense pressure, and demands on your time -- they merely medicate them. So, on today's episode, we're breaking down 2 secrets Builders use to ensure that no matter how packed their schedules are, they don't end the day depleted. In fact, if you do these 2 things, you can ensure that you end every day feeling accomplished. Then, when you go to the spa or engage in some other form of self care, you can truly enjoy your experience because you aren't stressed all the way out. So, if you feel like you need a little self care, today's episode will show you how to truly care for yourself and protect your energy #LikeABuilder.

The school year has just begun and already, principals are worried about staff morale. Sure, everyone was excited by the first days of school hype, but now that things have died down a little, the complaints are already starting. On today's podcast, we'll look at why every year it seems people are getting more and more burned out, and more importantly, the ONE thing you can do that can turn things around immediately.Instead of going through the same cycle of excitement, reality setting in, complaints, burn out again this year, this episode will show you how you can sustain momentum and generate lasting excitement about the work #LikeABuilder.

Now that most of us are back in school, we're all pretty busy with all the tasks that inevitably demand our attention at the beginning of the year. And while those tasks are often important, there are 4 things you may not realize you should be doing in the next month in order to create momentum for the year.  In this episode, we'll dive into what those 4 things are, why they're important, and the specific impact they will have on your effectiveness throughout the year. Do these 4 things now to set yourself up for an amazing school year #LikeABuilder. 

I don't know anyone who LOVES a meeting. That's because most meetings feel like a waste of time. On today's episode, you'll discover 5 meetings that should be on every principal's calendar each week and NONE of these meetings will waste your time. In fact, these meetings will make you more productive, make your team more accountable, and create real momentum in your work so much so, that you really can't afford NOT to have these meetings. So tune in today to find out how you can use 5 simple meetings to remove overwhelm, increase your own productivity, and ultimately move your vision forward consistently #LikeABuilder.   

We've all heard the advice that we need to “inspect what we expect.” But, the way that our training has weaponized this advice in schools is pretty awful. We see the word “inspect” and are told it means that if we want good instruction to happen in our schools, we need to show up with a clipboard and a walkthrough instrument in at least 3 classrooms per day or our entire instructional program will collapse. Builders do walkthrough feedback differently. Discover how to give walkthrough feedback that teachers will welcome and implement #LikeABuilder.

In this final episode of the Summer Success Secrets Series you'll discover the difference between the duties of administration and the work of true Buildership. You see, we were told that the duties of administration were all that we needed to be good principals. But while the duties are necessary to maintain our schools, they aren't enough to make lasting change. So in this episode I delineate the difference between the chores of our jobs and the true work. This one concept, if you understood it, would make the difference between feeling frustrated, burned out, and tired by October and feeling energized, focused, and successful by June. It all comes down to whether you spend your time doing the chores of administration like a leader or doing the work of administration #LikeABuilder.#LikeABuilder.

In this penultimate episode of the Summer Success Secrets Series we're going to take a deep dive into the Theory of Diffusion of Innovation to discover a secret Builders know about how to get their entire staff to embrace their vision. We'll leverage what science tells us about how people deal with change to meet people where they are and help each one of them to not only take ownership of our vision, but to build their capacity to successfully achieve our vision #LikeABuilder.

What would you do if you had an extra half day per week to work on the things you never get to work on during the school year? I'm not talking about emptying your email inbox, returning calls, or catching up on all those post-observation write ups. I'm talking about 4 hours per week to think, plan, strategize, reflect, and do the deep work of being a principal. If that seems too good to be true, then you'll want to listen to today's episode where I'm going to break down exactly how you can get a half day per week to work ON your school.  This is not about time management tricks, hacks, or magical schedules. In fact, you'll probably be shocked by just how simple it is to find 4 hours per week to work ON your school not just in your school #LikeABuilder.

What do you do when someone tries to attack your vision? They say it's too big, or too much too fast. Or, they act as if they support your vision but they raise questions that shake your confidence or try to delay your vision until later. Or, sometimes they just ignore your vision altogether. Today's installment in the Summer Success Series will show you how to fend off attacks on your vision and help you fight for your vision  #LikeABuilder.     

For years we've been taught that if we just believed in our people enough, they would rise to the level of our expectations. So why is it that when we set high expectations of our staff, we are often accused of wanting too much, pushing too hard, and being unreasonable? It all has to do with how we were trained. On today's episode, we'll unpack some of the myths around high expectations that create friction in our schools and you'll discover how to set and uphold high expectations without making people feel pressured or paralyzed because you've set high expectations #LikeABuilder.