• Ruckus Makers
  • Posts
  • 💖 Leadership Rooted in Heart: A Story from California High

💖 Leadership Rooted in Heart: A Story from California High

Celebrating Our Members

Author

Dan Watt
May 12, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 7 minutes

This week, meet Demetrius Ball. His is a story about leadership rooted in trust, relationships, and quiet courage.

Not all Ruckus Makers shout. Some change the world one conversation at a time.

First time reading? Sign up here and join 5,369 Ruckus Makers Doing School Different 🎉

INSPIRATION STATION

It’s okay to steal — Feel free to share any of these links and how we write about them and drop ‘em right into your staff newsletter this week.

  • 😣 How to handle idiots: Having a tough week? Here’s some “clear” advice

  • 🙏 Please and Thank You: The grim reality of AI etiquette

  • 🧠 Rewire Your Brain: How brain circuits are rewired when we learn new movements

  • 🌟 What if Goldilocks Stayed Home? A thought-provoking, fun idea that could easily be adapted to the classroom. Because sometimes the most powerful learning comes from flipping the script

A MESSAGE FROM CLASS COMPOSER

Playing Whac-A-Mole With Student Placement?

Moving a student to another class to address one problem often leads to creating another.  With a paper-based process, it's nearly impossible to account for all the data manually. Class Composer will help you visualize all the data to ensure equitable classes.

THE RUCKUS MAKER MONTHLY THEME: CELEBRATING OUR MEMBERS

Leadership With Heart: Meet Demetrius Ball

Some leaders move mountains with their bold ideas. Others change the world by showing up — day after day — with steady hands, open ears, and a heart full of service.

Demetrius Ball, Principal at California High School in San Ramon, CA, is a leader who reminds us that compassion, consistency, and genuine connection are still some of the most powerful tools we have.

Through his example, Demetrius shows that leadership isn’t about titles, prestige, or the loudest voice in the room. It’s about care. About community. About lifting others up and building trust one relationship at a time.

This week, let's take a page from Demetrius’s playbook: Lead with heart.

Leadership as Service

Demetrius began his career in the U.S. Army, an experience that shaped his belief that leadership is about serving others, not commanding them. His military background taught him the value of discipline and focus, but it’s the service mindset that shines most brightly in his work today.

Whether he’s listening to a concerned parent, standing alongside his staff, or mentoring a student, Demetrius brings a calm, steady presence rooted in humility.

"Leadership isn’t about power. It’s about service."

Relationships Before Results

At California High School, relationships aren't just something Demetrius talks about, they’re the foundation for everything he builds. Before pushing for programs, metrics, or change, he focuses on trust. He believes that when people feel seen, heard, and valued, the results will naturally follow.

One thing that stands out is how deeply Demetrius listens: to students, to teachers, to families. He doesn’t rush. He doesn’t pretend to have all the answers. He simply shows up with presence and care.

In an era where urgency often crowds out connection, Demetrius models a different way forward, where relationships aren't a side project. They are the project.

Vulnerability and Growth

Another thing that sets Demetrius apart is his willingness to lead with vulnerability. He’s the first to admit he doesn’t have it all figured out and that honesty builds extraordinary trust. Instead of pretending to be perfect, he invites others to grow alongside him.

His openness sends a powerful message to his community: it’s okay to ask for help. It’s okay to be learning. It’s okay to not have all the answers right away.

By leading with heart and humility Demetrius creates a culture where growth is possible, even when the work is hard.

A Quiet Kind of Ruckus

Demetrius Ball may not be shouting from the rooftops, but the ruckus he’s making is undeniable. It’s a quiet, steady revolution rooted in service, trust, and courage.

This week, consider asking yourself:

  • Where could I listen a little longer?

  • Where could I serve a little deeper?

  • Where could I lead with just a little more heart?

Because the leaders who change the world aren’t always the ones making the most noise. They’re the ones showing up consistently, with heart and intention.

If that sounds like the kind of leader you want to be, then you belong in the Mastermind. It’s where courageous leaders like Demetrius grow, reflect, and transform schools and lives.

Come lead with heart. Join us.

❝

When leaders model vulnerability, they give everyone else permission to be brave

LEADERSHIP EDGE

  • Team Health and Well-Being: A practical resource to help create joyful, healthy teams

  • Not Just for School Leaders: Imagine having a “pocket Oracle” to answer all your difficult questions. Well, now you can!

  • Be a Better Learner: who is leading the learning? 

  • Stop Saying Yes to These 8 Things: Ready to stop white-knuckling your way through leadership?

MONDAY VIBES

WEEKLY CHALLENGE

Make a Quiet Kind of Ruckus

This week, lead like Demetrius, with quiet courage and steady intention.

Pick one of the prompts below and take action:

✅ Listen a little longer.
Choose one conversation this week, with a student, staff member, or parent, and slow down. Don’t rush to fix or reply. Just listen.

✅ Serve a little deeper.
Find one small way to go beyond what’s expected. Write a note of encouragement. Cover a duty. Make someone’s day easier.

✅ Lead with more heart.
Start one tough conversation with compassion. Show vulnerability. Name the values behind your decision.

The loudest leaders aren’t always the most impactful.
The ones who change the world show up with heart, again and again.

Keep Making a Ruckus,

Dan 

PPS … Who inspires you to lead with heart? Hit reply and share their story. I’d love to hear it. 😃 

Reply

or to participate.