As leaders prepare to welcome staff back for a new school year, many spend hours refining presentations, updating strategic plans, and perfecting opening-day messages. But what if the most powerful thing your staff needs isn't a polished speech—it's your passion?
In this personal birthday episode, Dr. Darrin Peppard shares how a day spent Jeeping through Rocky Mountain National Park, Grand Lake, and the Colorado mountains reminded him of the importance of reconnecting with the things that make us come alive. That experience led him to reflect on a conversation with a school administrator whose passion for students was impossible to ignore—and why that same authentic energy is exactly what every leader should bring to their team.
This episode is an invitation to stop hiding what matters most and begin leading with genuine conviction. Because while people may respect competence, they are inspired by leaders who care deeply and aren't afraid to show it.
Resources & Links
• Learn more about Road to Awesome
• Connect with Dr. Darrin Peppard on LinkedIn
Resources & Links
• Learn more about Road to Awesome
• Connect with Dr. Darrin Peppard on LinkedIn
Sponsor Spotlight
This episode is proudly sponsored by HeyTutor.
HeyTutor partners with school districts across the country to provide high-dosage tutoring in mathematics and English language arts. Their comprehensive approach—including recruiting, training, scheduling, and managing tutors—allows educators to focus on what they do best while accelerating student learning.
Learn more by visiting this link: https://heytutor.com/?utm_source=RTA&utm_medium=RTA&utm_campaign=RTA
Connect with Darrin
If this episode challenged your thinking, I'd love to hear from you.
What's one piece of feedback that changed the way you lead?
Connect with me on LinkedIn or visit https://darrinpeppard.com/ to continue the conversation.
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