11 essential tips to transform your first 90 days as principal

In partnership with

Receive Honest News Today

Join over 4 million Americans who start their day with 1440 – your daily digest for unbiased, fact-centric news. From politics to sports, we cover it all by analyzing over 100 sources. Our concise, 5-minute read lands in your inbox each morning at no cost. Experience news without the noise; let 1440 help you make up your own mind. Sign up now and invite your friends and family to be part of the informed.

Sign up today!

Hey Ruckus Maker,

Today, I want to share with you 11 essential tips to help you master your first 90 days as a school leader.

Why? Because I know from experience how overwhelming those first few months can be. The good news is that with the right framework, you can create momentum that lasts well beyond day 90.

(I wish I had these tips when I first started as a principal!)

Here you go:

Tip 1: The Upside Down Entry Plan

Most principals start with operations and logistics. Instead, begin with self-leadership and mindset work.

When you start with yourself, you build the foundation for sustainable leadership that won't lead to burnout.

In the 90-Day Accelerator, we begin with the "Mindset Mastery" module to help you develop the Ruckus Maker mindset from day one.

Tip 2: The Focus Funnel

Use "eliminate, automate, delegate" to handle the flood of tasks coming your way.

This system creates space for high-impact leadership activities instead of drowning in administrative busywork.

Our Operational Mastery module shows you exactly how to implement the Focus Funnel in your daily routine.

Tip 3: Communication That Connects

Move beyond basic updates to storytelling that builds trust and engagement.

When you master strategic communication, you create buy-in for your vision and build stronger relationships with stakeholders.

The Relationship Advantage mini-course gives you templates and frameworks for crafting messages that resonate.

Tip 4: The 85% Rule

Stop trying to be everywhere at once. Instead, be strategic about where you spend your time.

This approach prevents burnout while actually increasing your impact on campus.

We'll show you how to apply the 85% Rule in our Time Ownership lesson.

Tip 5: The Stakeholder Success Map

Create a systematic approach to building relationships with key stakeholders.

This prevents the common mistake of playing favorites or missing crucial connections.

Our Dream 100 Tool in the course helps you identify and prioritize these relationships.

Tip 6: The Data That Matters

Focus on metrics that drive real change instead of drowning in meaningless numbers.

This clarity helps you make better decisions and communicate progress effectively.

The Academic Impact module shows you exactly which metrics to track and how to use them.

Tip 7: Culture Building Blueprint

Implement small but meaningful actions that shape your school's culture from day one.

A strong culture creates the foundation for all other improvements.

Our Culture as a Relationship Multiplier module provides a step-by-step approach to culture building.

Tip 8: The Boundary Setting Framework

Learn when to say yes and how to say no, while maintaining strong relationships.

Clear boundaries actually increase respect and effectiveness.

The Leadership Boundaries mini-course shows you how to implement this without guilt.

Tip 9: Strategic Visibility Plan

Replace random classroom walk-throughs with purposeful presence on campus.

This structured approach maximizes your impact while respecting your time.

We cover this in detail in our Systems for Success module.

Tip 10: The Staff Development Matrix

Create personalized growth plans that empower your teachers.

This approach increases retention and creates a pipeline of future leaders.

The Empowering Your Team module shows you how to implement this systematically.

Tip 11: The Legacy Framework

Build systems that will outlast your tenure and create lasting positive change.

This approach transforms you from a manager to a true educational leader.

Our Scaling Leadership Impact module helps you design and implement these enduring systems.

I hope you found this helpful.

However, I wouldn't be helping you if I didn't share this reminder with you: Reading leadership tips alone will NOT help you master your first 90 days as principal.

You need to actually put them into practice.

And of course, that's easier said than done.

So if you'd like help implementing all of these tips (and plenty of other proven frameworks), then I'd love to have you inside the 90-Day Accelerator.

Click below to join other Ruckus Makers on the 90-Day Accelerator waitlist.

Hope to see you inside!

Keep Making a Ruckus,

Danny 

PS… The 90-Day Accelerator is available ONCE in 2025 from Feb 27-March 7. Join the waitlist today to be first in line when enrollment opens. If you try to join on March 8, you’ll have to wait another year…