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Episode 282: The New School Leader's Pla...

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Episode 281: Be the Light with Dr. Chris Culver

Dr. Chris Culver returns to Leaning Into Leadership for a powerful follow-up conversation centered around his new book, Be the Light: The Science of Kindness and the Power of Belonging.If you enjoyed Chris's first appearance on Episode 214: The Science of Kindness, you're going t ... Show More

Episode 280: Leadership in the Age of AI with Molly Rosen

What does leadership look like when the world is changing faster than ever before?In this episode of the Leaning Into Leadership podcast, Dr. Darrin Peppard sits down with Molly Rosen, Co-CEO of ProjectNext Leadership, for a powerful conversation about leadership transitions, suc ... Show More

Episode 279: Burn the Script with Jo Lein

In this episode, Darrin sits down with leadership coach and new author Jo Lein to explore what really drives change in people and organizations—and why most coaching efforts fall short when they focus only on skills.Jo introduces the concept of Disruptive Mindset Coaching, challe ... Show More

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Chapter 1: The Charismatic Leader

Landing your first leadership position is exciting...until reality sets in.

The meetings, the emails, the difficult conversations, the angry parents, and the constant interruptions can quickly pull new administrators away from the work they were most excited to do: leading people and supporting learning.

In this episode of Leaning Into Leadership, Dr. Darrin Peppard is joined by Erika Bare and Tiffany Burns, experienced school leaders and co-authors, for a practical conversation about surviving—and thriving—in your first years of school leadership.

Together they share strategies for preparing for difficult conversations, building a trusted support network, protecting your time, and leading with intentionality rather than reacting to every urgent issue.

Whether you're stepping into your first assistant principal role, becoming a building principal, or mentoring a new leader, this episode is packed with immediately actionable advice.

In this episode, you'll learn:

Why every school leader needs a trusted "work bestie"
How preparation reduces anxiety before difficult conversations
The planning process that leads to more effective communication
Common mistakes leaders make during challenging meetings
Strategies for working with frustrated parents and caregivers
Why attacking the problem—not the person—is essential
How to respond when someone asks, "Do you have a minute?"
Practical ways to protect your calendar and prioritize instructional leadership
Why saying "no" is sometimes the best leadership decision
How intentional time management creates better leaders and healthier lives

Memorable Quotes

"Action is the antidote to anxiety."

"School leadership is not a solo sport."

"Never sacrifice the important at the altar of the urgent."

"You are worth so much more than a minute."

Connect with Erika Bare & Tiffany Burns

Visit Connecting Through Conversation for resources, blog posts, free planning guides, and information about their books and professional learning opportunities.

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090370647418&mibextid=LQQJ4d

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/connectingthroughconversation/

Linked In Erika Bare https://linkedin.com/in/erika-bare-6a72a6215

Linkedin Tiffany Burns https://linkedin.com/in/tiffany-burns-90a50a274

LinkedinCTC https://www.linkedin.com/company/connecting-through-conversation/

Twitter https://twitter.com/CTCPlaybook.com

Youtube https://www.youtube.com/@CTCPlaybook

Sponsor Spotlight:

This episode is sponsored by HeyTutor.

HeyTutor partners with schools and districts nationwide to provide evidence-based high-dosage tutoring support in Math and ELA while helping schools remain intentional about staff capacity and student support systems.

Learn more here: HeyTutor.com