Episodes

What if the “me” in your team is affecting the whole team more than you realize? In this episode, Susan and Tessa explore how self-awareness, identity, and individual behavior shape the health of a team, and why strong leader...

How do you lead people through change when the feelings are just as real as the strategy? In this episode, Susan and Tessa unpack the emotional reality of change and explain why resistance, sadness, anger, and uncertainty are...

What if the habit you want to build is easier than you think? In this episode, Susan and Tessa talk about habit stacking, a simple strategy for attaching a new habit to something you already do automatically. They share how t...

What if the strongest leaders are the ones who know when to step back and let someone else shine? In this episode, Susan and Tessa explore the idea of a “backup shift,” encouraging leaders to move out of the spotlight and cre...

Leadership can be lonely, and in this episode, Susan and Tessa introduce the idea of a “text level circle” as a low-pressure way for leaders to stay grounded and supported. They talk about building a small group of trusted pe...

As the school year or a big project comes to a close, it is easy to focus only on what did not go perfectly and forget the progress that happened along the way. In this episode, Susan and Tessa talk about what it means to end...

Leading when you are tired is a reality many leaders face, especially during the spring season when the demands keep piling up. In this episode, Susan and Tessa explore the difference between physical tiredness and emotional ...

When leaders say, “We have never done that before,” are they protecting the team, or avoiding growth? In this episode, Susan and Tessa explore how that phrase can reveal discomfort with change, caution, or a reluctance to cha...

Who you surround yourself with at work can shape your reputation, your growth, and even the culture of the team around you. In this episode, Susan and Tessa talk about the challenge of workplace friendships, especially for ne...

What if your leadership style was a language, and the people around you were trying to interpret it every day? In this episode, Susan and Tessa explore five leadership languages, from direction and control to servant leadersh...

Who saw your light before you saw it in yourself? In this episode, Susan and Tessa reflect on the mentors, teachers, and leaders who recognized their gifts early and helped shape the paths they would eventually follow. They d...

Toxic culture does not always announce itself right away, and by the time it becomes obvious, it can already be shaping how people think, speak, and treat one another. In this episode, Susan and Tessa unpack how broken cultur...

What happens when the gap between what a leader means and what an assistant hears starts to shape the whole day? In this episode, Susan and Tessa explore the invisible gap that often shows up in working relationships between ...

What if the tone of your whole day was something you could choose to turn up? In this episode, Susan and Tessa explore the power of mindset and how leaders can avoid letting one frustrating moment, like traffic or a spilled c...

What if one of the most powerful leadership tools only took two minutes to use? In this episode, Susan and Tessa explore the ripple effect of a simple thank you note, and how a small act of gratitude can create connection, va...

Empathy is one of the greatest strengths a leader can carry, and it can also be one of the most quietly exhausting. In this episode, Susan and Tessa explore the real and often unspoken cost of caring deeply as a leader, shini...

What do you do when the person who is supposed to lead you suddenly seems to disappear? In this episode, Susan and Tessa take a deeper dive into one of the most disorienting leadership experiences an employee can face, workin...

Most leaders would never describe themselves as a bad boss, and yet even the best leaders can quietly slip into habits that frustrate, disengage, or undermine the very people they are meant to lead. In this episode, Susan and...

In the middle of a busy leadership season, when was the last time you allowed yourself to simply be still? In this special episode, Susan and Tessa explore the power of silence as a mental health strategy, and what it truly m...

How you leave a position says just as much about you as how you lead in it. In this episode, Susan and Tessa tackle the season when many school leaders begin exploring new opportunities, and why leaving with grace, character,...

200 episodes. Two years. Countless late nights, technical glitches, and moments of wondering if anyone was really listening. In this milestone celebration, Susan and Tessa step away from their usual leadership topics to refle...

How do you hold your team accountable without dropping the hammer too hard or pretending you never noticed the missed deadline? In this episode, Susan and Tessa unpack a practical four-step framework for building accountabili...

What do you do when the typical self care advice just does not have enough left in you to try? In this episode, Susan and Tessa get honest about stress, burnout, and the moments when even good intentions go out the window. Te...

You cannot fill other people's cups if you are running on empty. In this episode, Susan and Tessa take a lighthearted but practical look at breakfast and how what leaders put into their bodies in the morning directly impacts ...