Episodes

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 culture shows up through finger pointing, lack of accountability, gossip, and a constant focus on negativity, and why these patterns can become deeply entrenched over time. They talk about what it takes to change a toxic environment, including intentional relationship building, ho...

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 leaders and administrative professionals, especially when expectations are assumed instead of clearly communicated. They discuss how easy it is for leaders to slip into frustration, overfunctioning, or doing everything themselves when they have not taken time to define roles...

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 coffee, set the emotional temperature for the rest of the day. They talk about the difference between reacting to setbacks and intentionally choosing a more positive, resilient response, especially in a busy season when staff are looking to leaders for cues. Listeners will he...

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, validation, and lasting impact. They discuss why handwritten or thoughtful digital notes matter so much, how they help people feel seen for their specific contributions, and why leaders should be more intentional about noticing the good instead of only reacting to problems. Li...

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, shining a light on compassion fatigue and vicarious trauma and why so many dedicated leaders find themselves feeling numb, irritable, or emotionally depleted without fully understanding why. They unpack the difference between the two experiences, how compassion fatigue drains the...

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, working under a ghost boss who is physically or emotionally absent from the team. They explore the many reasons a boss might go quiet, from personal hardship and burnout to disengagement, and offer practical strategies for leading up, protecting your own professionalism, and havin...

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 Tessa invite listeners to hold up a mirror and honestly examine whether they recognize themselves in some of the most common leadership traps, from the perfectionist who shuts down others' initiative, to the firefighter who runs on crisis energy, to the ghost boss who is p...

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 means to pause, reflect, and let the mind rest. They unpack the very real challenge leaders face when trying to sit in stillness, and why our brains naturally drift, wander, and resist the quiet even when we desperately need it. Listeners will walk away with a deeper apprecia...

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, and intentionality matters more than most people realize in the moment. They discuss the unintended consequences of burning bridges on the way out, from bad-mouthing supervisors to checking out before the final day, and how those behaviors can quietly close doors that might...

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 reflect on the biggest lessons from their podcasting journey, complete with the dips of doubt that nearly made them quit and the timely messages from listeners that kept them going.​ They share the highlights that made every effort worthwhile, from Susan's deeply personal memory...

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 accountability into your leadership without micromanaging or losing your sanity. They walk through how to build checkpoints into the process from the start, protect those checkpoints from competing priorities, clarify the why behind the work to build genuine buy-in, and follow up with c...

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. Tessa shares a deeply personal story of reaching a breaking point and the low bandwidth brain hacks she discovered to regulate her nervous system without adding one more thing to her plate, including listening to bird sounds, placing a hand over the heart as a self delivered h...

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 their focus, energy, and cognitive performance throughout the day. They explore the various schools of thought around morning nutrition, from protein-forward starts to intermittent fasting, and why being intentional about that first meal matters more than getting it perfect....

What if your biggest leadership mistakes could become your best teachers instead of your worst nightmares? In this episode, Susan and Tessa unpack the gut punch of getting it wrong, from bad calls to missed conversations, and how easily these moments can send leaders into a spiral of self doubt. They explore why we extend grace to students but speak harshly to ourselves, offering practical strategies for self compassion, healthier self talk, and taking a “24 hour pity party” without getting stuc...

What makes some people go above and beyond to solve your problem, while others just say “nope”? In this episode, Susan and Tessa use a hilarious customer service story about a printer cord bundled with an unwanted printer to explore how leaders can build teams that deliver real service. They share four norms for creating a culture of initiative: defining what service looks like, embedding it in daily routines, connecting it to purpose beyond compliance, and rewarding what gets repeated. Listener...

What if a quick daily “huddle” could transform how connected your team feels? In this quirky episode, Susan and Tessa take a fresh look at team huddles, moving them from hokey to powerful as a simple way to check the pulse of your leadership team each morning. They describe how short, structured touch points focused on big picture needs, rumors to clear up, and one thing you are grateful for can boost clarity, collaboration, and morale. Listeners will hear why consistent huddles help reduce isol...

What if one simple practice could help you keep more of the people you most want to stay? In this episode, Susan and Tessa explore “stay interviews” as a proactive way to reduce turnover by truly listening to current staff rather than waiting for exit interviews. They discuss how intentional check ins, honest feedback about blind spots, and questions about growth, advancement, and satisfaction can build trust and surface issues before people start looking elsewhere. Listeners will hear practical...

How do you know if a candidate is truly right for your team, not just right on paper? In this important episode, Susan and Tessa explore the question “Are we a fit?” by breaking hiring decisions into three key buckets: knowledge, skill, and disposition. They discuss how to look beyond resumes and interview polish to understand what someone already knows, what they can actually do, and how their attitude, drive, and emotional intelligence will impact the team. Listeners will hear practical exampl...

What if your leadership could help others chip away everything that is not their masterpiece? In this episode, Susan and Tessa share the Michelangelo Effect, where the sculptor saw David inside flawed marble and simply removed what was not needed. They apply this to leadership by helping team members reveal their true potential instead of adding fixes or expecting perfection. Listeners will hear how affirming strengths, providing the right environment, and embracing mind shifts turn “ruined” emp...

What if your body held the key to stronger leadership? In this enlightening episode, Susan and Tessa explore self awareness through a clever framework from Paul Thornton that maps leadership qualities to body parts—from brain for strategic thinking to heart for sharing passion. They discuss using eyes for vision, ears for listening, spine for tough decisions, lungs for energizing teams, muscles for accountability, feet for action, and voice for clear communication. You will hear how tuning into ...

Are you unknowingly trying to lead like a one person show? In this episode, Susan and Tessa unpack why “you can’t do it alone, so don’t pretend you can” is more than a quote—it is a requirement for healthy, sustainable leadership. They explore how surrounding yourself with thought partners, inviting honest perspectives, and growing your own skills multiplies value for everyone you lead. Listeners will hear practical ideas for shifting from solo expert to collaborative leader, including how to li...

Do you step in to “fix” everything, or are you actually trying to stay in control? In this episode, Susan and Tessa unpack the subtle line between being a helpful problem solver and a controlling leader who accidentally disempowers the team. They reflect on early leadership years spent trying to know and do it all, then explore how staying in your lane, sharing ownership, and letting others struggle a bit builds real capacity. Listeners will hear practical ways to pause before rescuing, ask coac...

What if adaptability was your superpower instead of your stress response? In this episode, Susan and Tessa dig into why flexibility has become a non negotiable leadership skill in a world of constant pivots, shifting expectations, and rapid change. They explore how adaptable leaders move from firefighting to responding with calm, using images like the outfielder who stays ready for any fly ball that comes their way. Listeners will hear practical ideas for adjusting plans without losing purpose, ...

Have you noticed more team members crumbling under stress or pointing fingers instead of solving problems? In this episode, Susan and Tessa tackle fragility in the workplace, where leaders often shoulder blame while staff avoid responsibility. They explore how to build resilience by normalizing mistakes, encouraging ownership, and helping people reframe stories to see their role in solutions. Listeners will hear ideas like asking “What did you contribute?” or “What is your proposed solution?” to...