Transforming Education: Leadership Lessons

In this episode, Gary sits down with Thomas C. Murray. Tom serves as the Director of Innovation for Future Ready Schools® and is the author of Learning Transformed and Personal and Authentic, among others. Gary and Tom dive into creating a desired workplace and school culture and how the mindset and actions of the adults in the building are impacting that culture.

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In this episode, Gary and guest, Jenn David-Lang of The Main Idea discuss the book Built to Move: The Ten Essential Habits to Help You Move Freely and Live Fully. Jenn discusses a few key ideas from this reading and how teachers, and all professionals, can adapt these concepts into their daily lives and get moving.  

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In this episode, Gary and guests discuss the evolution of artificial intelligence and its significance for education. Dr. Dana Schon, Professional Learning Director for School Administrators of Iowa explains AI capacities, concerns, and limitations with helpful tool implementations for educators and leaders. Dr. Tom Truesdell, Director of Student Resources at Northwestern College shares insights on ChatGPT revolving around the learning disruption fears and idea generation opportunities. Both guests share practical advice for approaching the technology evolution in our classrooms and workplaces.

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On this episode, Gary sits down with the 2022 AFCA NAIA National Coach of the Year and the Head Coach of the 2022 NAIA National Champion Raider football team, Matt McCarty. Matt reflects on his team’s successful season and the road to the championship. He’s cultivated a culture of excellence built on trust, mental conditioning, and discipline to do the right thing every day. His leadership approach casts a vision for his coaching staff and players to encourage others to be their best. His team’s ability to handle adversity is what he’s most proud of – and the championship mindset is preparing student-athletes to win games and live meaningful lives.

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In this episode, Leslie welcomes guest Jacob Morgan. Jacob is a best-selling author and one of the world’s leading authorities on leadership, the future of work, and employee experience. He is a highly sought-after keynote speaker and advisor who has worked with organizations such as Microsoft, Disney, Pepsi, Mastercard, and IBM. As a trained futurist, Jacob’s insights are frequently featured in publications such as Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, Fast Company, and The Harvard Business Review. Our conversation dives into his expansive research and insight from his book, The Future Leader 9 Skills and Mindsets to Succeed in the Next Decade.

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“A gathering is a moment of time that has the potential to alter many other moments of time.” - Priya Parker, The Art of Gathering

Jenn David-Lang returns to the podcast, and we’re discussing how to maximize the power and significance of meetings. When most of us plan staff agendas or lessons, we tend to focus more on the logistics (PPTs, refreshments, Post-Its, etc.), rather than the people, because those are the items we can control. What if we think about how we want gatherings to make people feel? We can build connection and a sense of belonging in our schools and teams right now. By taking lessons from Priya Parker’s The Art of Gathering, she shares four tips for educators that help us rethink the way we gather to make our gatherings unforgettable, meaningful, and centered around people.

1. Find a specific purpose for the meeting.

2. Be an active facilitator.

3. Give it some spice.

4. Get beyond a “culture of nice.”

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In this episode, Gary talks with Liz Wiseman, author, researcher, and executive advisor who teaches leadership around the world. We discuss her New York Times best sellers Multipliers: How the Best Leaders Make Everyone Smarter and The Multiplier Effect: Tapping the Genius Inside our Schools, and Wall Street Journal Bestseller, Rookie Smarts: Why Learning Beats Knowing in the New Game of Work. We also talk about her newly released book, Impact Players. Her research and experience offer significant insight into what leadership looks like in today’s world, ways the best leaders make everyone smarter, and how to recognize contributors creating extraordinary value. Liz shares how to apply the characteristics of impact players in our own lives to make our work more impactful.

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As a former educator and principal, Dr. Wilson has taken her years of experience and connections to gather accomplished leaders and practitioners into a community of coaching and support. Dr. Wilson is a certified coach, trainer and speaker on the John Maxwell Team. She is also the CEO and founder of Innovative Strategies Consulting located in Virginia. We enjoyed our conversation with the deeply committed, passionate, down-to-earth leader. She shares her leadership approach, starting with a simple yet intentional philosophy: “Lead by example.”

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In this episode, we welcome back Dr. Joe Sanfelippo, our Leadership in Education Conference keynote speaker. We discuss the upcoming conference and his energizing keynote and breakout session for educators. We also chat about why teachers feel overwhelmed and how we can create value for those around us by leading with intention, connection and direction. As the Superintendent of Fall Creek School District in Wisconsin, Joe is nationally known for sharing his messages on how to change the narrative in your school by telling your story, creating a culture of yes and most recently, leading from where you are. Joe has co-authored books on The Power of Branding, Hacking Leadership and Lead From Where You Are. Every time we talk with Joe, we know you will walk away feeling empowered and encouraged in what you’re already doing and how vital your influence is in education.

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Our guest, Dr. Lisa Remy, joins us as the most recently named Executive Director for School Administrators of Iowa. Prior to starting this new leadership role, she served as the Superintendent of the West Des Moines School District where she guided the school’s culture around the slogan: Every Child Every Day. We discuss leadership lessons that include modeling the courage to be vulnerable and willingness to get uncomfortable. She shares advice for female leaders and a future-driven mindset for supporting educators and leaders.

Book Recommendations

This episode welcomes the superintendent of the Cedar Rapids Community School District, the inspiring Noreen Bush. Noreen was named the 2021-2022 Iowa Superintendent of the Year and received the 2021 American Association of School Administrators Women in School Leadership Superintendent Award. Norene has dedicated nearly 30 years to public education, finding leadership positions out of her passion to serve more students and educators. After a stage IV cancer diagnosis, she hasn’t stopped using her life to reframe learning and leading − from clinical trials to school hallways.

In this episode, Gary and Noreen discuss:

· A servant leadership formula: setting vision, listening, learning then leading

· Leading from the seat you’re in

· Building hope as a strategy

· Choosing collaboration over isolation

· Shared vulnerability and practice

· Living life with hope and purpose

· The proving zone vs. the improving zone

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In this episode, we welcome back Dr. Roark Horn to help celebrate his recent retirement from School Administrators of Iowa (SAI). He reflects on his robust experience in education, from educator to administrator, and eventually executive director of SAI. We talk about changes in education over the years, advocating for the profession, and leveraging the learning momentum on the other side of the pandemic. He shares wisdom about using your influence and key leadership takeaways. “Talented leaders get the people in the building to the next level!”

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Guest, Jessica Christensen shares about her vital work as Director of Community Development and Training for Please Pass the Love and a regional trainer for MidAmerica Mental Health Technology Transfer Center Network (MHTTC). She helps districts build better systems to support mental health needs and offers educators tangible skill training to support their students' – and their own health. Take away tips for better building relationships and the power of restorative work. By working together, communities can address the complex and varied school mental health needs more effectively through a climate transformation!

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We’re thrilled to welcome back leader, speaker and consultant Angela Maiers to the podcast. In this episode, she shares a sneak peek of her keynote for the NWC Trauma-Informed Conference this Spring. The education guru breaks down the three parts of her current mission: hope, mattering and moving forward. Whether or not you’re able to join us for the conference, this conversation will inspire you to create structures for human-centered, community care and lean into honoring humanity.

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Do you have habits that you have wanted to start, or drop? Maybe you’ve had success initially, only to return to your old routines. From the Main Idea, Jenn David-Lang is back on the podcast to discuss the key takeaways of the New York Times bestseller Atomic Habits by James Clear. With Clear’s four simple laws of human behavior and concrete strategies, we walk through how to make the tiny changes that will ultimately lead to remarkable changes. Learn how to build better habits in life and work.

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Mastermind with Daniel Bauer

Daniel Bauer is an unorthodox Ruckus Maker who has mentored thousands of school leaders through his Better Leaders Better Schools blog, books, podcasts, and powerful coaching experiences. In this episode, we discuss his latest book Mastermind: Unlocking Talent Within Every School Leader. He shares valuable resources for leaders like the ABCs of a mastermind group and the gift of developing self-awareness and emotional intelligence.

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As an international speaker and author, Joe Beckman’s mission is to reclaim human connection in school communities throughout the world. He has shared his message of hope to over 1000 schools. In this episode, we talk about self-worth, resiliency and his own gratitude practice. Joe brings his infectious energy, humor and passion to Northwestern College as the Leadership in Education Conference keynote speaker, this October.

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In this episode, we talk with educators Dr. Laurie Barron and Dr. Patti Kinney. Dr. Barron is currently the superintendent at Evergreen Public Schools in Kalispell, Montana and was recently named Montana’s superintendent of the year in 2021. Dr. Kinney has been a teacher and administrator at the middle levels of education in the state of Oregon where she was named the Oregon Assistant Principal-of-the Year in 2003. Together, they’ve co-authored a third book called We Belong: 50 Strategies to Create Community and Revolutionize Classroom Management. From their rich experiences and active research, they share the secret to every positive learning environment: belonging. All people need a place where their roots can grow deep – what if the classroom became this safe place for students! We discuss ideas for intentionally creating belonging and fostering a respectful culture.

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Brooklyn-based educator, Cornelius Minor inspires students to believe anything is possible. He also works with teachers, school leaders, and community-based organizations to support equitable literacy reform. We discuss his latest book, We Got This, which explores how the work of creating more equitable school spaces is embedded in our everyday choices—specifically in the choice to really listen to kids. This conversation is packed with actionable advice and motivation to lead change that positively influences others.

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In this episode, we talk with Dr. Rahn Franklin and Dr. Val Stokes about inclusive excellence and their passion for cultivating inclusion on an educational campus. They share the foundational goals: build belonging and dignify differences. We also discuss how can prioritize diversity and embed equity, access and inclusion into systems.

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This episode welcomes Jenn David-Lang to the podcast. With over 25 years of experience in education and as the founder of The Main Idea, she’s passionate about supporting school leaders with really relevant professional learning. This episode is packed with bite-sized takeaways on current education ideas and practices! We discuss the C’s of change, coping with stress, proactively preventing burnout and working with difficult or resistant staff.

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Education and assessment/grading enthusiast, Dr. Matt Townsley joins this episode! As a former district administrator and secondary teacher, he has firsthand experience implementing and leading lasting grading reform. He shares the strengths of standards based grading to create meaningful student grades. Along with strategies for district leaders are the 3 P’s for leading change and major barriers to implementing change. His love for education and enthusiasm for learning over earning is contagious. He will leave you inspired for student-focused, kingdom impact in your role.

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When teams believe they have the ability to make a difference, exciting things can happen in school. How can leaders help build this collective efficacy? Global speaker, leadership coach, author, Education Week column writer, and former teacher and principal, Peter DeWitt joins the podcast. From his vast work in schools, he offers research-based wisdom on school leadership, including the "Six Influences That Matter Most". He explains three steps to raising self-efficacy, and the value in defining the evidence of impact and student engagement. He also outlines starter steps for effective instructional leadership. We talk about reframing our mindset on Covid-19 “learning loss” and using what we learned during the pandemic to drive real action for equity.

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Levi Wiersma and Joshua Rathbun conclude the Young Leaders Series. We discuss the concept of kingdom entrepreneurship from the 100X Podcast and how to sell yourself from the 10 Minute Entrepreneur. As aspiring business leaders, Levi is curious about how technology will continue to evolve as a contribution or divergence for human connection, and Josh is curious about how to lead a team professionally and effectively with our own leadership style.

To listen to the original podcasts reviewed, see:

Senior business majors, Sutton Derr and Michael Love join this week’s podcast. They review episodes from Business with Purpose, the Andy Stanley Podcast and the Side Hustle Show. They discuss finding a fulfilling life’s work and recognizing the distractions that leaders face. We also talk about the process of becoming a strong leader, which includes having patience with the process, preparing to grow continuously, asking for help and leaning on mentors.

To listen to the original podcast episodes reviewed, see:

Entrepreneurship students, Makenzie Fink and Jonathan Gabrielse breakdown leadership lessons from The 10 Minute Entrepreneur Podcast with Sean Castrina and the EntreLeadership Podcast with Daniel Tarday and guest Mathew McConaughey. Key takeaways include risk-taking, re-inventing yourself, brain dumping, optimizing your strengths and the importance of developing new leadership muscles.

Throughout the Young Leaders series, we’ll be talking with entrepreneurship students for a quick take on popular leadership podcasts. They share the episode’s big ideas and how those ideas inspire leadership growth. In this episode, Mia Hoogeveen and Dominic Seivert explain the Seven Virtues of Leadership from Andy Stanley’s interview with Habitat International CEO, Jonothan Reckford. Hear how it has transformed Mia and Dominic’s view on who can be a leader.

Inspiring future leaders and developing an entrepreneurial mindset are significant passions for Professor Erica Vonk. As director of the new Center for Innovation and Leadership at Northwestern, Erica partners with college students to develop entrepreneurial skills. In this episode, she shares her approach to empowering young leaders. We talk about the value of creating psychological safety, failing forward, outsight and the process of grace.

We’ll be talking with some of Erica’s students coming up in this Young Leaders series.

From coaching consecutive national championship teams to helping lead a city through a pandemic, Earl Woudstra shares what keeps him grounded. We talk about who's inspired him and discuss his own core values including treat others with respect, do your best, do everything to God’s glory, and just do the right thing.

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The stronger the healthcare system, the stronger the community. Orange City Area Health System CEO Marty Guthmiller’s leadership lessons include tips to a strong community. He provides advice on hiring with the acronym “DHB: Decent Human Beings”. We also reflect on "who are we when things don't go right?".