One Session In

I walked into the first session of The Resilient Leader feeling that familiar mix of excitement and anticipation.

You plan carefully.

You hope the right people show up.

You wonder whether the energy will land the way you imagine it.

When we wrapped, what I felt most was relief and deep gratitude.

One session in, and I’m excited to build more.

What Surprised Me

The room itself surprised me.

Some participants were long-time community members.

Others joined for the first time, joining from the email list with curiosity and trust.

That mix created a space that felt open, grounded, and willing from the start.

I was also struck by how quickly people leaned in.

Leaders shared honestly, listened closely, and built on one another's thinking.

The dialogue felt safe and honest.

That kind of space in a first-time meeting is rare.

What Worked

A few things landed immediately:

Several leaders shared what already helps them stay well.

What stood out for me was the intention behind those choices, of people actively designing how they care for their energy.

One Idea That's Sticking

The Recovery Protocol definitely sparked the most reflection.

It helped leaders see their recovery patterns more clearly: what supports them, what drains them, and where small adjustments could make a meaningful difference.

Something intuitive became more visible and therefore more applicable, useful.

That shift feels important.

What's Next

I'm excited about where we’re going next.

We'll add new tools, dive deeper in our conversations, and delve into what practical sustainable leadership looks like.

The foundation is there.

Now we build.

There isn't another cohort scheduled yet.

But if this first session is any indication, there will be more.

If you're reading this and wishing you'd joined, you're not alone.

The cohort is closed for now, but keep your eyes open for a major announcement mid-March.

More soon. And for now, I’m grateful for the start.

It’s easy to feel like you should always be preparing for the next role.

The next step up.

The next opportunity you don’t want to miss.

Especially for new leaders, or folks on an AP path, that pressure we put on ourselves can turn into urgency.

And that often leads us to think movement equals growth.

It doesn’t.

Sometimes the strategic move is to stay put and become more intentional.

Instead of asking, “What’s next?” try shifting the question to:

“What skills am I building right now?”

Try building leadership readiness through capabilities.

Skills like navigating complex behavior, holding restorative conversations, coaching adults, building systems and relationships.

Those matter in every school and every role.

You don’t need to add more to your plate to build capacity.

You can practice future-facing skills using the work you already have and noticing how you handle conflict, how you support staff through challenges, and how you make decisions under pressure.

For many leaders early in their careers, growth often happens through integration rather than acceleration.

Learn from the role you’re in.

Refine your craft.

Deepen your confidence.

Before you rush toward the next rung on the ladder, pause and ask:

Growth often shows up as becoming more grounded, capable, and confident in the role you’re already in.