All Episodes
Displaying 1 - 30 of 170 in total
Before We Add Another Intervention, Let’s Fix Tier 1
Tier 1 instruction is the foundation of everything we do, but improving it doesn’t mean every teacher has to follow a script perfectly. In this episode, we’re talking ...
Manager vs. Leader: Balancing Both as Principals
In this episode of The Principal’s Handbook, we explore the difference between management and leadership and why effective principals need both. You'll learn how manag...
Why a Better To-Do List Won't Fix Your Time Problem
Think a better planner or longer to-do list will finally help you get ahead? In this episode, we're unpacking why the real issue isn't your productivity system, it's t...
Ten Habits for Busy Principals
In this episode of The Principal’s Handbook, I share 10 simple habits that have helped me become a more effective leader, parent, and person. From protecting time in t...
You Shouldn't Have to Wait Until Summer to Feel Like Yourself Again
Do you feel like there are two versions of you—the relaxed, present summer version and the overwhelmed, exhausted school-year version? In this episode, we explore what...
Your Calendar Is Showing Your Real Leadership Priorities
Your calendar reveals more about your leadership priorities than your intentions do. In this episode, learn how to audit your calendar to see whether your time is bein...
Stop Letting Other People’s Urgency Run Your Day
Not everything that feels urgent actually is. In this episode, I share a simple red, yellow, and green framework to help you decide what truly needs your immediate att...
What Actually Matters in the First 30 Days of School
The first 30 days of school can make everything feel urgent, but effective leadership starts with knowing what matters first. In this episode, we’ll focus on the found...
How to Make This School Year Sustainable (Instead of Just Surviving It)
Too many principals spend the school year just trying to survive. In this episode, you'll learn four practical strategies to make your leadership more sustainable by s...
Subtracting the Noise as a Principal
In this episode, you'll learn the first principle of Leadership by Subtraction: subtract the noise. As a principal, it's easy to feel like every email, interruption, p...
The Hidden Cost of Too Many Priorities as a Principal
In this episode, we explore why so many principals feel like they're constantly putting out fires and why the real issue often isn't time, but too many competing prior...
Bonus Episode: The Power of Group Coaching for Principals
Principals don’t need more information—they need space to think, reflect, and actually implement what matters most. In this bonus episode, I share why group coaching i...
The Secret to Better Leadership Isn't Doing More
In this episode of The Principal’s Handbook, we explore why becoming a better leader isn’t about doing more—it’s about doing less with greater intention. You’ll learn ...
From Self-Doubt to Confidence for Principals
Self-doubt is something every principal experiences, but it doesn't have to define your leadership. In this episode, I share my ACT Framework to help you recognize the...
The Principal Reset Series: The Self-Doubting Principal
In this episode of The Principal’s Handbook Summer Reset Series, we explore the patterns and habits of the self-doubting principal. Through the example of a principal ...
The Principal Reset Series: The Perfectionist
In this episode of The Principal’s Handbook Summer Reset Series, we explore the mindset and habits of the perfectionist principal. You'll learn how perfectionism shows...
The Principal Reset Series: The People Pleaser
In this episode of The Principal’s Handbook, we explore the challenges of being a people-pleasing principal and how the need for approval can impact leadership decisio...
The Principal Reset Series: The Reactive Principal
In this episode of The Principal’s Handbook Summer Reset Series, we explore the common patterns of the reactive principal and why so many school leaders feel stuck in ...
The Principal Reset Series: The High-Achieving Principal
In this episode of The Principal’s Handbook, we continue the Principal Reset Series by exploring the mindset patterns of the High-Achieving Principal. While ambition a...
The Principal Reset Series: The Burned-Out Principal
In this episode of The Principal’s Handbook, we dive into the mindset patterns and leadership habits that lead to principal burnout. I walk through the story of a burn...
The Five Practices of Confident Leadership for Principals
In this episode of The Principal’s Handbook, we explore the five key practices that build confident, effective school leadership. You’ll learn how shifting your identi...
Finishing the School Year Strong When Everyone Is Tired — Including You
In this episode of The Principal’s Handbook, we’re talking about how to finish the school year strong when everyone is tired, including you. The end of the year can br...
From Reactive to Intentional: The Leadership Shift Every Elementary Principal Needs
In this episode of The Principal’s Handbook, we explore the idea of The Elementary Edge — the difference between reactive leadership and intentional leadership in elem...
The Real End-of- the Year Reflection Principals Need
In this episode of The Principal’s Handbook, we dive into the real end-of-year reflection principals need to move from overwhelm to clarity. I walk you through five ke...
Why Teachers Say “Nothing Happens to Kids” (And How to Fix It)
In this episode of The Principal’s Handbook, we tackle one of the most common and frustrating complaints principals hear: “Nothing happens to kids.” If you’ve heard th...
A Team Approach to Handling Challenging Student Behaviors
In this episode of The Principal’s Handbook, we dive into how to navigate challenging student behavior, especially those Tier 2 and Tier 3 situations that feel overwhe...
The 4 Layers of Instructional Leadership Most Principals Skip
Most principals want to be strong instructional leaders—but their day gets taken over before they ever get there. In this episode, we break down the four layers of ins...
Why Discipline Feels So Hard as a Principal (And What to Do Instead)
Discipline can quickly take over your day as a principal. What starts as a few behavior issues turns into constant interruptions, frustrated teachers, and decisions th...
AI in Schools: Slowing Down to Make Ethical Decisions About EdTech
In this episode of The Principal’s Handbook, Barb talks with edtech expert and author Priten Soundar-Shah about the growing role of AI and technology in schools. They ...
Confidence Killers for Principals and How to Overcome Them
In this episode, we explore what confidence really means for principals — not having all the answers, but trusting that you’ll figure things out. Three major confidenc...