Ep #93: Principal Burnout

Even though the school year has just begun, I know for a fact that many of you principals will be experiencing some degree of burnout. Things are hectic right now, and the long summer break seems like it’s a million miles away, which doesn’t make things any easier.

You may even have thought of throwing in the towel. Well, I’ve got news for you: the burnout you’re feeling is not going to go away just because you change your circumstances. Take it from me, even though I’m now self-employed, there are still days when I wake up and I just don’t want to do the work I’ve set out for the day.

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Ep #92: Mental Health

Devastatingly, in the week leading up to me recording this episode, there were three mass shootings in our country – one of those was a town very close to where I live. This got me thinking, while it seemed like everyone was looking for someone or something to blame, what can we do as school leaders to remove the stigma around mental health?

I believe that mental health should get as much focus as physical health. We have physical education programs in schools and there is never any shame around hiring a personal trainer or joining a gym. So how can we integrate awareness around mental health in the one place where kids go for no other reason than to learn?

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Ep #91: Building a Team with Your Boss

I was giving a talk recently at a conference. I asked somebody to come up and be coached, and the problem she wanted coaching with is that she feels like her superintendent has control over everything she does. Now, I’m sure she’s not the only person that feels this way, so I thought I’d address it on the podcast today.

Throughout September, we’ve discovered every facet of team-building and team-management. On this episode however, I want to talk about one of the most important teams you are a part of – and that is the two-person team consisting of just you and your boss. Read more

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Ep #90: When You Think the Team Isn’t Working

We are taught from a very young age, and we still teach kids today, that if we are upset, it’s because somebody else has done something to make us feel that way. Now, if you’re a regular listener, you will be familiar with the STEAR Cycle, essentially the concept that how we feel has nothing to do with anybody else but everything to do with our thoughts.

When something happens in our lives, that is a circumstance, and every circumstance is completely neutral. However, when we are in the heat and stress that school leadership can bring, it’s easy to lose sight of what is a circumstance (a fact) and what is our opinion about a circumstance (a thought). When these wires get crossed, we are not acting with the integrity required from a school leader.

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Ep #89: Maintaining Your Team

Last week on the podcast was all about building a solid foundation for your team, one which allows you to build a team that can withstand conflict and can work together towards a common goal. This week is taking that foundation and turning it into something truly effective.

Once we’ve built a team and put them to work, it’s only a matter of time before there are differences in opinion and a clashing of attitudes. This is inevitable in any environment, but when you throw the personality mix that you get within the teaching profession in, it can be really hard work maintaining your team unity, unless you are on top of it from the outset.

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Ep #88: The Secret to Building Your Ideal Team

We have now reached September, which means your kids are settling in and you’re starting to see how your staff for this year is shaking up to be. So with that in mind, the topic for the podcast this month is team-building.

When you’re building your various teams for the year and deciding who belongs where and who will work well together, there is so much to consider. And that’s not even the whole challenge. Building a great team is one thing, but what’s the secret to nurturing your team in a way that they are self-sufficient but they also respect you as their leader?

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Ep #87: How to Increase Your Productivity

Throughout August, I’ve been bringing you tips on how you can prepare for the school year by prepping your classrooms and workspaces for a clear mind and maximum efficiency. Now we’re at the point where your kids are returning to school, it’s time to get serious about how you will make decisions effectively and efficiently for the rest of the year.

It’s fair to say that we don’t help ourselves when it comes to efficiency. As the year goes on, more and more decisions will have to be made, and it’s incredibly important to be able to make them from a place of clarity and mental wellbeing, otherwise, you won’t be able to lead in the way your students and staff deserves.

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Ep #86: Essentialism in School Leadership

On the podcast this month we’ve been discussing the organization of your physical and mental space, and today I have a slightly different approach for you guys. This work is great for creating an organized work environment, but also provides an incredible level of mental clarity which will make every area of your job that little bit easier.

Essentialism and minimalism are an absolute must as a school leader. It’s so easy to get caught up in the belief that you need to be everywhere, doing everything for everybody, and have everything to hand that you might need on a day-to-day basis. However helpful you think that may make you as a principal, you’re never going to be as effective if you spread yourself too thin.

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Ep #85: Organizing Your Workspace with Shira Gill

With the start of the new school year looming, you are in one of my favorite times as a principal. You’re preparing the school for the students and teachers, making everything perfect before school is officially back in session. Now, I love this, but it can be a stressful time for some people, especially when it comes to organizing your office space.

Early on, in this podcast’s infancy, I brought you an episode – one of my most downloaded to date – around the subject of organizing your workspace. Well, a year has passed since that episode and I have the honor of interviewing the woman who inspired everything I shared on that podcast!

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Ep #84: Start the Year with an Empowered Mindset

We are into August now and that means that you’re getting back into the office and you’re starting to be consumed by work again. Now, there seem to be two types of people in this situation – those who are full of enthusiasm and energy, and those who are a little bit more resentful that their vacation time is over and they’re back to the grind.

Luckily for you listeners, I have been both of these characters in the past, and I’m thrilled to tell you that even if you’re feeling down about the school year starting up again, that doesn’t mean you’re doomed to having a stressful year. I can’t wait for you to learn how to start the year with an empowered mindset, instead of dreading what’s to come.

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