The Hidden Leadership Skill Every School Principal Should Master

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THE RUCKUS MAKER MONTHLY THEME: REST AND RECOVERY

The Hidden Leadership Skill Every School Principal Should Master

Even in July, when the calendar says "break," many school leaders find themselves deep in planning, answering emails, or squeezing in another PD.

We say we're resting, but we're still producing.

Still improving.

Still on.

And that's the problem.

We've been conditioned to equate leadership with constant action.

But what if rest isn't the opposite of leadership? What if it's one of its most powerful forms?

The Culture of Constant

Our systems reward productivity, not presence.

School leaders are praised for putting in long hours, answering emails instantly, and staying busy.

Summer is supposed to be a time to rest, but many leaders just keep working hard to get ready for the next school year.

Even our internal monologue can be relentless: "If I don't do it, who will?" "I'll rest when things slow down." "This is just the price of being a good leader."

But overwork isn't sustainable.

It's a short-term strategy that erodes long-term impact.

Why Rest Is a Radical Act

Choosing rest is countercultural.

It's not laziness, it's leadership.

When we slow down, we show our team that boundaries are not barriers; they are wisdom in practice.

When we trust others to lead in our absence, we model a culture of shared responsibility.

And when we say no to urgency, we make room for clarity.

Rest also invites better decision-making.

A calm nervous system feels better, and it thinks better.

You are more creative, more compassionate, and more capable when you're not running on fumes.

Boundaries and trust are important leadership traits.

They're foundations for the kind of schools we say we want to build: sustainable, healthy, and human-centered.

Take Action by Doing Less

Here's your countercultural to-do list.

• Schedule white space: literally block time in your calendar for … nothing.

• Protect sleep and stillness like you protect supervision or report cards.

• Practice the 3Ds: Delay, Delegate, Delete.

• Say no to one "should" this week.

• Take a walk without a phone or podcast.

• Do something "unproductive": read fiction, nap, doodle, toss a ball for your dog.

These “escapes” are your essential leadership investments this summer.

Ruckus Makers Rest First

You lead best when you lead from a place of clarity and calm.

Consider this:

• Your team doesn't need you to be perfect. They need you to be present.

• Your community doesn't need more output. They need your presence.

• Rest is not what you do after the work. It's part of how you do the work better.

If you're ready to lead with more boundaries, trust, and intention, come sit with us.

The Ruckus Maker Mastermind is a space for school leaders who are done doing it all alone and who are leading differently.

Join us. Rest with us. And then go make a ruckus.