Leading Transformation
This week through the National Institute for School and System Leadership (NISL) during some great group work with an exceptional group of leaders, we explored leadership for transformation. Our task was to come up with a top five components of leading for transformation. Here’s what we came up with:
1. You’ll notice we list building coherence and alignment first on our tear sheet (see featured photo). Without coherence and alignment there is chaos. Building coherence is crucial to leading transformation because it creates a unified vision and shared understanding among all stakeholders. When there’s coherence, efforts are aligned, reducing confusion and resistance, and fostering a sense of collective purpose. This alignment ensures that everyone is moving in the same direction, which enhances trust, accelerates change processes, and increases the likelihood of sustaining the transformation over time. In essence, coherence acts as the foundation that holds complex change initiatives together, making the transformation more effective and resilient.
2. Continuous improvement is crucial to transformative leadership because it fosters an environment of ongoing learning, adaptation, and growth. In today’s rapidly changing world, leaders who embrace continuous improvement can respond more effectively to new challenges, innovate consistently, and refine their strategies to better achieve their vision. This mindset encourages resilience, keeps the organization agile, and motivates team members to pursue excellence. Ultimately, it helps sustain long-term transformation by ensuring that efforts are not static but evolve based on feedback, insights, and changing circumstances, making the leadership process dynamic and forward-looking.
3. Using data is essential for decision-making in successful transformative leadership because it provides an objective foundation for understanding complex situations. Data offers factual insights that help us make informed choices rather than relying solely on intuition or assumptions. Also, analyzing data reveals trends, patterns, and potential risks early, enabling proactive strategies.
Data allows leaders to track the effectiveness and measure the progress of initiatives and adjust actions accordingly to ensure continuous improvement. This enables the building of credibility and trust because data-backed decisions demonstrate transparency and logic, fostering trust among team members and stakeholders.
In transformative processes, data helps measure acceptance levels, resistance points, and the impact of change strategies. Integrating data into decision-making enhances clarity, reduces uncertainty, and increases the likelihood of successful transformation by aligning actions with real-world insights.
4. Building shared ownership and shared accountability is crucial in transformative leadership because it fosters a sense of collective responsibility, engagement, and commitment among all stakeholders. When everyone feels personally invested in the change process, they are more motivated to contribute their best efforts toward achieving common goals.
Shared ownership and accountability empower teams to be proactive agents of change, fostering a culture of trust, innovation, and continuous improvement necessary for successful transformation.
5. Successful transformative leaders jointly develop next steps because it fosters shared ownership and commitment among team members. When leaders involve others in planning future actions, it ensures that everyone is aligned with the vision and understands their roles in achieving goals. This collaborative approach also leverages diverse perspectives and expertise, leading to more innovative and effective solutions. Additionally, jointly developing next steps promotes buy-in, motivation, and accountability, which are essential for sustaining momentum and successfully implementing change. This participative process helps create a unified, resilient, and adaptive team dedicated to the continuous improvement I mentioned earlier.
Along with these five components, great leaders of transformation act with vision, empathy, and resilience, inspiring others with a clear sense of purpose while fostering an inclusive environment that encourages collaboration and innovation. We must communicate effectively, listen actively to diverse perspectives, and remain adaptable in the face of change. By demonstrating integrity and accountability, we build trust and motivate our teams to embrace new strategies and overcome challenges together. As transformational leaders it is our responsibility to guide our organizations through change with confidence and compassion, ensuring sustained growth and positive impact.
Leadership is Elementary, my Dear Watson
Discussions about leadership are important for elementary age students because these discussions help teach essential skills like responsibility, teamwork, communication, and problem-solving from a young age. By exploring what it means to be a leader, children learn the value of helping others, making positive choices, and taking initiative. These conversations also encourage confidence and empathy, fostering social-emotional development that can benefit them throughout their lives. Additionally, understanding leadership encourages students to see themselves as capable of making a difference, inspiring them to develop their unique strengths and contribute positively to their communities.
Today, I finished up my High Ability Mentor Group work for the school year with 126 first through fourth graders at Hamilton Heights Elementary School. I love working with these students and continue to always be inspired by them. We finished our time together this week with a discussion about leadership. I am always amazed at how in tune these young people are with what good leadership looks like. Leadership is not reserved for adults; leadership opportunities come in various shapes and sizes for all ages.
This week, the students in each grade created a top five leadership traits to develop list. Here are those lists:
First Grade:
- Be nice
- Get smarter
- Listen more
- Be quiet
- Creative
Second Grade:
- Be an example for others to follow
- Less talking
- Be kind
- Be a listener
- Learn and get smarter
Third Grade:
- Be patient
- Influence
- Help others achieve their goals
- Be a better communicator
- Inspire friendships and be aware of others’ feelings
Fourth Grade:
- Take responsibility for my actions
- Earn trust
- Don’t be quiet when I need to talk
- Focus on growing myself
- Building continuous friendships
Pretty impressive lists! Students learning leadership skills not only benefits their development but it also helps their interactions with others. When we help our students see themselves as role models, they naturally become more responsible and thoughtful. Students build leadership skills as they learn how to communicate, negotiate, listen, persevere, solve problems, and cooperate. While becoming leaders themselves, students realize that leadership is not a title but someone who sets an example quietly, whether it be on a sports team, or by doing the right thing when others are not looking.
Ripples Are Beautiful: Embracing the Power of Divergent Viewpoints
In our journey through life and professional conversations alike, we often encounter moments that ripple outward. Those small actions, words, or ideas that create waves far beyond their initial splash. Today, during a gathering of the Silver Creek School Corporation Focused Leader Academy when complementing one participant for her willingness to push back or offer a different viewpoint, I expressed my love for a good argument. I truly believe that divergent viewpoints lead to personal growth and get decisions to a better place. This great teacher leader, Kate Brown, remarked, “Ripples are beautiful.” This simple phrase resonated deeply with me, prompting reflection on how the ripples of differing perspectives shape us and our communities.
The Beauty of Ripples
You know I love a good metaphor! Much like a stone cast into a still pond, every idea or opinion introduces a disturbance that propagates outward, ultimately touching distant shores. These ripples are inherently beautiful because they symbolize connection, influence, and the dynamic interplay of diverse thoughts. The ripples remind us that even small differences can have meaningful impacts, fostering innovation and empathy.
Divergence as a Catalyst for Growth
Embracing divergent viewpoints is akin to throwing multiple stones into the water simultaneously. Each creates its unique ripple, and together, they make the surface lively and unpredictable. Instead of fearing disagreement or differing opinions, we can see them as opportunities. Those ripples serve to challenge our assumptions and deepen our understanding.
Creating a Culture of Beautiful Ripples
When we celebrate varied perspectives in our organizations or communities, we cultivate an environment where ideas flow freely, and innovation blossoms. Just as ripples can intersect and amplify each other, our own metaphorical ripples spur constructive debates that lead to breakthroughs that wouldn’t emerge in echo chambers. Encouraging respectful disagreement and curiosity turns potential conflicts into beautiful patterns of growth.
So, Next time you find yourself in a disagreement or encounter a differing viewpoint, remember that Kate taught us that “ripples are beautiful.” They are signs of a vibrant, evolving mind and community. Embrace the disturbance, cherish the divergence, and watch how these ripples shape a richer, more resilient you.
Unlocking The Secret Leadership In Students
Back in February I had the opportunity to be in Langford, South Dakota for National FFA Week. The Langford Area School District FFA Officers had the great idea to provide leadership workshop sessions designed for every grade level in the school. I wrote about this experience in Being Kind. It was such an inspiring experience and the students were so engaged and wonderful. I loved this quote from FFA advisor AnnaMarie Sachs:
“He [Byron] can unlock the secret leadership in students that they might not realize is there,” Sachs said. “That’s important because we live in a small community and our kids need to be leaders. He can give them skills they can take home and make use of long after today.”
That quote was caught by Bridget Shileny, Editor of The Marshall County Journal who was there that day and took some incredible photos and captured the day perfectly in an outstanding article. I am humbled by her kind comments and wanted to share her article with you. Here is her article:
Education 5.0: Empowering Minds for the Age of AI, Empathy, and Innovation
Yesterday I had the honor of serving on an international panel contemplating “Education 5.0: Empowering Minds for the Age of AI, Empathy, and Innovation.” It was an incredible discussion that was part of the 2026 FLUXX Asia Leadership Conference in Manila Philippines. I wanted to share some of the thoughts I contributed to the discussion yesterday.
When asked about the biggest challenge in education I brought three points:
- We need to make sure students are developing the skills necessary to become worthwhile citizens in a global economy
- Our education entities need to become more systems thinking and have systems change leaders to carry out those changes
- As a global community we need to be learning promising practices from each other
Next, I was asked what critical human skills are at risk of being undervalued or underdeveloped because of the use of AI:
- Critical thinking/Problem solving
- Creativity/Curiosity
- Ethical reasoning
- Adaptability/Resilience
How do we strengthen the human connection for students?
- Students should work on real problems and issues
- Students should work with adults I mentioned my partnership with AgReliant Genetics when I was teaching where students were doing real research for the company and collaborating with the scientists
- We need to provide mentoring by adults for students
- Work-based learning opportunities
- Students present results/proposals
- Help students understand what it means to have ownership in their learning/education and then allow them to have that ownership
- Create space for students to have human to human contact and interaction
What are actions needed for proper use of AI?
- Provide support and professional development in the use of AI
- We need to incorporate AI, not make it an either/or thing
- Get diligent in helping students recognize fact from opinion/false information [Research from Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) showed that only 9% of 15-year-olds can actually tell when facts are really facts and not just opinions]
Finally, I was asked to complete the following sentences (the italicized are what I contributed):
- AI will replace routine tasks, but never replace the human elements of love, creativity, curiosity, and empathy.
- The most underrated skill is emotional intelligence.
- The future of education is students taking ownership of their own learning and education.
The Power of Relationships: Lessons on Building Meaningful Connections
Last Friday I had a teacher leader who has been through one of my leadership development programs with me, share that she is now in a masters program and she realized while doing some reflecting during a course that she had never had a very effective coach, mentor, or facilitator of educational leadership or instructional effectiveness until me. Now, I must admit I blushed a little, tried to play it off, but was also very proud. Of course, all of you that know me know I could not resist asking a question. My question was simple: “Why do you think that is so?” Her answer was also very simple: “Our relationship!” She went on to say, “You take the time to really build relationships with everyone you work with. You know me and you know what I need.” Wow! That really made me proud because I do believe relationships are the key to everything.
In an ever-changing world, where change is constant and competition fierce, one timeless skill stands out as a cornerstone of being significant: relationship building. I want to use this post to emphasize the profound impact that genuine relationships have on personal growth, professional success, and community development.
Why Are Relationships So Important?
At their core, relationships are the foundation of trust, collaboration, and mutual respect. I teach that strong bonds created through authentic connection lead to greater influence, improved teamwork, and a more fulfilling life. Whether in leadership, teaching, business, or personal spheres, the ability to cultivate meaningful relationships is essential.
Key Principles from my Leadership Philosophy
- Authenticity and Integrity: This underscores the importance of being genuine. Authenticity fosters trust and encourages others to open up, creating a positive environment for growth and collaboration.
- Active Listening: This highlights that effective leaders and relationship-builders listen more than they speak. Truly understanding others’ perspectives enables stronger connections and better problem-solving.
- Empathy and Compassion: Empathy allows leaders to connect on a deeper level. I teach that demonstrating sincere concern for others’ well-being enhances loyalty and inspires collective efforts toward common goals.
- Consistency and Follow-through: Building trust requires consistent actions. I want to stress here that reliability and accountability reinforce relationships over time.
- Value Others: Recognizing and appreciating the strengths and contributions of others cultivate a sense of belonging and motivation.
The Impact of Strong Relationships
Investing in relationships yields dividends far beyond immediate gains. Strong connections can:
- Foster innovation through diverse perspectives
- Accelerate personal and professional development
- Enhance organizational culture and morale
- Enable communities to thrive collectively
In a world driven by rapid change and digital interactions, the human element remains vital. I hope my insights here will remind us that leadership and success are ultimately rooted in our ability to build and nurture meaningful relationships. By practicing authenticity, active listening, empathy, consistency, and appreciation, we can create bonds that uplift us all.
By valuing authentic relationships and leading with integrity, we not only elevate our own success but also cultivate vibrant, supportive communities where everyone can thrive. Let’s strive to lead with authenticity and a heartfelt respect for those we serve and work alongside.
Soaring High: Embracing the Learning Journey to Master Kite Flying and Leadership
I love watching people flying kites on the beach. In particular, I love watching children having fun flying kites on the beach. Yesterday morning I looked on while a youngster had the productive struggle of learning to fly a kite. And, by the way, I am a big believer in productive struggle as a best practice for teaching and learning. The child’s parents were helping, but I’m pretty sure they were learning to fly a kite for the first time too. Of course, all of this led to an analogy.
Just like a child learning to fly a kite, someone stepping into a leadership role often faces uncertainty and challenges initially. The child’s productive struggle—feeling the wind, adjusting the tail, experimenting with different angles—mirrors how a new leader learns through trial and error, gaining confidence and skill over time. And a cool thing happened; all of the sudden the kite caught the wind just right and it was game on. Even from a distance I could tell the young person had that “Oh crap” moment of “It’s flying, now what do I do?” It was so much fun and so inspiring to watch. By the way: I’m pretty sure Orville Wright had that same “Oh Crap! I’m flying! Now what do I do?” moment on December 17, 1903!
Both situations emphasize the importance of patience, perseverance, and a willingness to learn. The child never once gave up when the kite dipped or struggled against the wind; instead, I could tell they were learning to read the conditions and adapt. Similarly, a leader who admits they don’t have all the answers (practices being vulnerable) and remains open to growth can develop resilience, wisdom, and better decision-making skills.
In essence, this analogy reminds us that embracing the discomfort of not knowing everything upfront allowed both the child and us as leaders, to develop competence, confidence, and a deeper understanding of our environments. It’s about valuing the journey of learning and trusting that with effort and openness, mastery—whether in flying a kite or leading others—is achievable.
Celebrating Creativity: How Street Performances Enrich Communities and Inspire Joy
I spent this week in Nashville, Tennessee at the annual conventions of the National Association of Agricultural Educators (NAAE) and Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE). It has been an incredible week and I love spending time working with the National FFA Teacher Ambassadors. On Wednesday evening we took the ambassadors to Sixty Vines on Broadway for dinner. While walking down Broadway to the restaurant I spotted three young street performers playing the drums – five gallon buckets. I immediately decided I would ask to join. I was welcomed to the drum (bucket) line. Check out the featured photo.
I had done this before when in New Orleans, Louisiana. Check out Drumming Up Relationships to read about that experience. I love learning these kids’ stories.
Most people walk by and laugh, maybe throw a little change in the bucket (literally), but I always see humans. Those humans are being and they have a story. These young people were utilizing everyday objects creatively to produce music and entertain others, turning simple items into instruments.
Additionally, these young people were learning resilience and determination. Often, street performers face challenges and uncertainties but continue to pursue their passion and livelihood despite obstacles. These young people are really entrepreneurs. Their entrepreneurial spirit, showcases how initiative can lead to earning and recognition.
I worry, however, when I see the kids on the street what everyone else is thinking or what needs they might have. I also worry about those who do not understand their culture looking at them as a public nuisance. I worry about the kids who have talent but no other creative outlet, but the streets. I encourage you not be I just keep walking past but take a moment and talk to the young people. Better yet, sit down with them, pick up a bucket, and channel your inner Phil Collins!
Leading Like Admiral William McRaven
I was so impressed by Admiral William H. McRaven’s keynote yesterday morning at ExcelinEd’s National Summit on Education. He began by saying, “If you are not a person of character, you will struggle in leadership and will really struggle leading in a crisis.” With this comment he really grabbed my attention. I was also reminded of how Angela Duckworth had defined character the day before in her great keynote: “Character is all the things you habitually do, think, say, and feel that are good for others and good for you.” Having encountered leaders in my career that lacked character, all this really resonated with me. To me, character is the “walk” part of “walk the talk.” Character encapsulates how we act and what we do. Whereas, “talk” is the values part of “walk the talk.” Those leaders I mentioned earlier talked a big game of values, but then we never saw the actions, or character. We cannot just say we will do the right thing, we have to actually know what the right thing is and do the right thing. Character is all about our habits. Thus why Admiral McRaven said the leader without character would struggle, especially in a crisis when our character really shows.
“The truth will always, always, always, come out.” ~ Admiral William H. McRaven
Admiral McRaven also shared leadership lessons from his great book, Conquering Crisis: Ten Lessons To Learn Before You Need Them. He outlined five key leadership components:
- Assess: we need procedures for getting facts and evaluating the quality of the information. We need a group of trusted advisors – what McRaven called a Council of Colonels. This is an advisory group that will speak the truth to power.
- Report: I love what the Admiral said here: “Always tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.” Also he told us to, “Use truth and transparency to show you understand the problem.” This helps us to personify the crisis.
- Contain: one point Admiral McRaven made here that really stood out to me here was to, “slow the pace of the crisis with one strong decisive move directed at the fastest-moving concern.” This involves us, as leaders taking control of the crisis and dictating the tempo.
- Shape: we need to actively influence situations and control the narrative. The Admiral told us to, “weaponize the truth.” He urged us to, as leaders, mold the circumstances and perception of the crisis so our organizations come out stronger on the other side, rather than just surviving it.
- Manage: This point said it all: “Reinforce your actions with a resource heavy approach to dictate the tempo and shape the outcome.” In other words, as I stated in the beginning paragraph of this post: “walk the talk”.
I love that in a conversation after his keynote with Jeb Bush, Admiral McRaven discussed the need for leaders to be humble and have the humility to listen and learn first. He discussed having a great team around him so he finish this sentence: “I need to understand…” I’ll conclude this post by saying that Admiral McRaven is one of America’s great and iconic leaders. His record shows him to be a man of character who has walked the talk and walked the walk.
Needed Therefore Belonging
I am a huge believer in “belonging.” Whether it is students in our schools or adults in our organizations, everyone needs to belong. This “belonging” is central to our engagement. When we believe that our presence and contributions matter, we feel more connected to our community—be it a classroom or a broader social environment. This sense of connection fosters trust, safety, and acceptance, making us, whether a student or adult, more comfortable to express themselves and participate actively. As a result, we develop a stronger sense of belonging, which enhances their confidence, motivation, and overall well-being. In essence, when we feel needed and appreciated, we are more likely to feel that we truly belong, supporting our growth and success.
Also, let’s not forget that along with love, belonging is on Maslow’s five tier hierarchy model of human needs. While we used to think of this hierarchy more linearly than we now know it to be, Maslow showed love/belonging to be right after physiological and safety needs. We now know that we seek multiple needs simultaneously.
Yesterday at ExcelinEd’s National Summit on Education, Angela Duckworth told us that “Every student needs to be needed.” 🎤 I loved this and thought it was a drop the mic moment. Angela Duckworth meant that every student should feel valued and important—that their presence and contributions matter. When students feel needed, it boosts their confidence, motivation, and sense of belonging, which are essential for their growth and success. She emphasized the importance of fostering environments where students recognize their importance to others, helping them develop resilience and a positive sense of self.
As leaders, let’s make sure everyone belongs!
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