Dr. Chris Jackson on Leading from the Ground Up

Quick take

From pushing a broom to leading the boardroom — Dr. Chris Jackson's journey from custodian to principal at his own alma mater proves that grit, humility, and authentic community connection matter more than pedigree when transforming schools.

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🏴‍☠️ BREAKING DOWN THE OLD RULES

In this episode, Dr. Chris Jackson challenges traditional education paradigms:

Key Insight #1: Every Job on Campus Matters Equally

What's broken: Creating hierarchies that separate administrators from the real work of schools, losing connection with staff and community
The shift: Leading with servant leadership — picking up trash during lunch, building relationships with custodians, and blurring the lines between "management" and service
Impact: Instant credibility with all stakeholder groups and authentic empathy that comes from walking in everyone's shoes

Key Insight #2: Bloom Where You're Planted First

What's broken: Always looking for the next promotion instead of excelling in your current role and building relationships where you are
The shift: Do your best work in whatever sphere of influence you have, ask questions, and let opportunities find you through positive relationships
Impact: Chris went from custodian on Wednesday to teaching his own class on Monday — but only because he had built trust and demonstrated excellence where he was

Key Insight #3: Community Connection Beats Credentials Every Time

What's broken: Leading schools as an outsider who doesn't understand the community's needs, values, and challenges
The shift: Live in, understand, and serve your community in their image — being able to say "I'm your neighbor" during difficult conversations
Impact: When parents challenge decisions, Chris can respond: "I live two blocks from you, I went to school here, my parents went here" — eliminating the "you don't understand" barrier

✌️ YOUR DO SCHOOL DIFFERENT CHALLENGE

Ready to implement these ideas? Start here:

1. Tomorrow: Put on a metaphorical "straw hat" — spend time doing work typically done by support staff to build authentic relationships and understanding

2. This Month: Identify one person in your orbit whose expertise you can learn from, regardless of their title or position — ask them questions about their work and challenges

3. This Semester: Audit your community connections — are you living, shopping, and engaging where you serve? Find three ways to deepen your roots in your school community

✅ CONNECT AND CONTINUE

🎯 Get the full episode transcript here 
🔗 Follow Dr. Chris Jackson: @DocJMedia on X 
📖 Website: DocJMedia.com 
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Podcast created by Danny. Audio engineered by Dragan. Show notes written by Christina. Email sent by Soniya