Welcome to episode 188 of the Leaning Into Leadership podcast! In this mid-month episode, Darrin is joined once again by his recurring guests, Todd Bloomer, a high school principal from San Antonio, TX, and Dominic Armano, an elementary principal from Long Island, NY. Together, they dive into the human side of leadership, sharing stories, challenges, and practical insights for leaders at every level.

Topics Covered in This Episode:

• Weathering the Storm (Literally and Figuratively): From snow days to unexpected challenges, the trio shares how school leaders navigate the unpredictability of their work while keeping students' needs at the forefront.
• Making Tough Decisions: Darrin reflects on a recent blog post about the emotional and professional toll of making hard leadership calls. Todd and Dominic add their insights on balancing what's right for kids and the community while managing personal resilience.
• Telling Your Story: Dominic leads a discussion on the importance of branding and public relations in education. Todd and Darrin share strategies to effectively showcase your school’s values and successes without fear of being seen as "flashy."
• Learning from Other Leaders: Todd challenges Darrin and Dominic to share inspiring practices they've seen in schools recently, highlighting leadership newsletters and a deeply integrated SEL curriculum.
• Focus for 2025: The group wraps up by sharing their personal resolutions and goals for the year, including self-care, leadership clarity, and embracing challenges.

Key Takeaways:

• Leadership decisions are rarely black-and-white; staying focused on what's best for kids can guide tough choices.
• Strong relationships and clear communication are essential for building trust and minimizing pushback.
• Social media and storytelling are critical tools for creating a positive narrative about your school and its values.
• Self-care isn't selfish—it's necessary for showing up as your best self in leadership roles.
• Innovative ideas from peers and colleagues can inspire and improve your leadership practice.

Resources Mentioned:

• Darrin’s blog post on leadership decisions
• Fired Up Leadership by Dr. Frank Rudnesky

Connect with Us:

• Darrin Peppard: Website | Twitter
• Todd Bloomer: Twitter
• Dominic Armano: Twitter

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, rate, and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform. Your support helps us bring more leadership insights to educators like you!

Are you feeling overwhelmed and struggling to prioritize your time as a school leader? In this episode, I share some exciting news about my upcoming digital course, Take Control of Your Leadership:. This course is designed to help you overcome overwhelm, focus on what truly matters, and lead with clarity, and it's LIVE - go to theprincipalacademy.com and check out Take Control of Your Leadership.

Anders Indset—known as "The Business Philosopher"—is a Norwegian-born writer and deep-tech investor. He is a four-time Spiegel best-selling author and has been recognized by Thinkers50 as one of the most influential thinkers in technology and leadership for the years to come.

With two decades of experience working with multinational companies, he is a trusted sparring partner for international CEOs and political leaders, and a guest lecturer at leading international business schools. Anders is the founder of the Njordis Group and the Global Institute of Leadership & Technology (GILT), as well as the initiator of numerous projects like the Quantum Economy Alliance.

Anders is a bridge-builder between humanity and technology, shaping the economy of tomorrow with his practical philosophy. With his deep understanding of the impact of exponential technologies, Anders demonstrates how and why leadership and its relationship to philosophy are more relevant than ever. He firmly believes that in a world with nearly unlimited access to knowledge, a deeper understanding and the ability to anticipate future scenarios, combined with the development of interpersonal skills, will be the most sought-after qualities for leaders.

His works have been translated into over 10 languages, and his new book, ‘The Viking Code – The Art & Science of Norwegian Success’, was released on October 8. His forthcoming ‘Singularity Paradox – Bridging the Gap Between Humanity & AI’ (www.singularityparadox.com) has been scheduled for Q1 2025, a book co-authored with renowned Quantum Physicist Dr. Florian Neukart.

Social Media:

https://de.linkedin.com/in/andersindset

https://www.instagram.com/andersindset

http://twitter.com/andersindset

http://facebook.com/anders.indset

https://www.youtube.com/andersindset

Website: https://andersindset.com/

Email/contact info:

engagement@andersindset.com

In this episode of the Leaning Into Leadership podcast, we’re exploring the powerful metaphor of the lighthouse and how it relates to effective school leadership. Inspired by a visit to Martha’s Vineyard, host Darrin Peppard reflects on the enduring purpose of lighthouses and the lessons they offer for guiding schools and teams in 2025. Discover five lighthouse-inspired principles—from guiding through challenges to creating a culture of hope and safety—and learn actionable strategies to shine brightly as a leader this year. Whether you’re navigating staff burnout, shifting priorities, or the complexities of educational leadership, this episode will leave you inspired and ready to lead with purpose.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• The five lighthouse-inspired principles of effective leadership
• How to provide clarity and focus for your team during uncertain times
• The importance of being a consistent and visible presence in your school
• How to position yourself strategically to make the greatest impact
• The power of empowering your team and fostering trust
• Why creating a culture of hope and safety is essential for school success

Guiding Through Challenges

• Learn how to define your "true north" and guide your school community through obstacles with clear priorities and a shared vision.

Steadfast Presence

• Discover why consistency and visibility are key to building trust and creating stability for your team.

Strategic Positioning

• Explore how to focus your time and energy where it matters most to drive impactful outcomes for students and staff.

Shining a Light for Others

• Find out how empowering your team with clarity and support can create a culture of trust and shared ownership.

Symbol of Hope and Safety

• Understand how fostering a positive culture helps staff and students feel valued, supported, and ready to grow.

Share Your Thoughts: Did this episode inspire you to embrace the lighthouse principles in your leadership? Let us know your thoughts! Leave a review or share the episode on social media with your biggest takeaway. Don’t forget to tag us so we can join the conversation.

Blogpost link referenced in the episode - Be a Lighthouse: Five Guiding Principles for School Leaders in 2025