What does it truly mean to lead with intention in today’s fast-paced educational landscape? In this powerful episode of Aspire to Lead, I’m joined by Michael D. Nelson and Peter DeWitt, authors of Leading With Intention: How School Leaders Can Unlock Deeper Collaboration and Drive Results. Together, we explore how school leaders can move beyond just checking off tasks to reconnecting with their core purpose and fostering meaningful engagement in their work. We dive into practical strategies for setting personal and professional goals using success criteria, building deeper academic and social-emotional connections within school communities, and overcoming common barriers that hinder intentional leadership. This conversation is packed with insights to help you reignite your passion, strengthen collaboration, and drive impactful change in your school community.

About Michael D. Nelson:

Michael Nelson co-facilitates coaching, keynotes, and workshops with Peter DeWitt. He is co-author of the best-selling book, Leading With Intention: How School Leaders Can Unlock Deeper Collaboration and Drive Results (Corwin. 2024) that he wrote with Peter DeWitt. Michael is the co-host of Corwin's Leaders Coaching Leaders podcast, and the co-author of the Finding Common Ground blog for Education Week. He created the Instructional Leadership Network for the Washington Association of School Administrators. Read more about him here. There is no more noble profession than that of an educator was what Michael Nelson’s mom said almost every day while he was growing up. For almost 40 years, Michael has been an educator. His mom would be pleased. Even though Michael still considers “teacher” as his primary title, he has served in roles of principal, district instructional leader, superintendent, and currently as assistant executive director developing programs and initiatives for superintendents and district leaders in the state of Washington. One foundational leadership value in which Michael leads is the development of a kind, compassionate, and empathetic culture rooted in belonging and equity. He describes his leadership work as building human connectedness, recognizing you must always model what you lead as you build teams of individuals supporting students in their learning. The Muckleshoot Indian Tribe awarded him with their official blanket for building a collaborative partnership between the Tribe and school district, the highest honor of the Tribe and the first non-Tribal member to receive this blanket. Michael has received many state and national awards during his time as a principal and superintendent. As a principal, he was acknowledged by Pacific Lutheran University as its Outstanding Recent Alumni in 1997. At the same time, the school he was leading as principal received the National Blue Ribbon Award from the United States Department of Education. As a superintendent, he was named Washington state’s 2019 Superintendent of the Year. During his tenure as superintendent, Michael was elected President of the...

322. Leading With Intention: Featuring M...

About Michael D. Nelson: