Want to Lead Better? Start With These 3 Overlooked Habits

THE RUCKUS MAKER MONTHLY THEME: PLAY YOUR GAME

Appreciation, Authenticity, and Affirmations: Finding Joy and Leading Well

Last week a reader reached out to share his appreciation for our regular Monday post.

He went on to share that he appreciated the reminder to find joy in small moments, like interactions with students and staff, and that he was leaning into those affirmations. That nudge was helping him stay focused and moving in the right direction.

His feedback struck me, because we often describe leadership in terms of strategy, vision, or results.

But what often sustains us and helps us show up at our best are the subtle, quiet anchors.

Like how we appreciate others, how authentic we are, affirmations that guide us in our work, and finding joy in the moment.

Thanks to our reader’s inspiration, we’re sharing four practices to help keep you grounded this week.

1. Appreciation: Seeing and Naming What's Good

Appreciation is simple, but powerful.

When we take time to notice and name the good around us, it shifts the culture of a school.

It could be as simple as stopping in the hallway to thank a colleague for their extra effort, writing a handwritten note, or giving specific praise during a staff meeting.

Appreciation is often a simple recognition, like letting people know you see, hear, and value them.

It is often found in specificity.

Instead of "Great job today," try "The way you helped Sarah work through that math problem showed such patience and creativity. She lit up when it clicked."

Try this: Be a catalyst for creating a positive culture AND transform challenges into growth opportunities with The Positive Spotlight Tool™.

2. Authenticity: Showing Up as Yourself

Leadership gets heavy when you wear a mask.

Authenticity lightens the load — for you and for those you lead.

When leaders show up as themselves, they create psychological safety.

People don't expect perfection; they want honesty, consistency, and someone who leads with values.

Authenticity can be as simple as aligning your words and your actions. Your staff and students appreciate knowing they can count on you to be real.

This might look like admitting when you don't have all the answers, sharing a mistake you learned from, or simply letting your personality shine through in appropriate moments.

Ask yourself: Where in your leadership are you tempted to perform instead of simply being yourself?

3. Affirmations: Staying Focused and Moving Forward

Leadership can pull you in several directions at once.

Affirmations help ground us in those moments.

A simple phrase — repeated daily — can help keep you centered on what matters most.

Think of affirmations as your internal compass, guiding decisions when the urgent threatens to overwhelm the important.

Sample affirmations to consider:

• "I choose presence over hurry."

• "I build capacity in my team."

• "Joy fuels resilience."

• "I lead with curiosity, not judgment."

• "Progress matters more than perfection."

These reminders can your actions throughout the day.

Consider this: What affirmation do you most need to carry with you this season?

4. Joy: Finding Light in the Work

Joy is the fuel that keeps us resilient and reminds us why we chose this profession in the first place.

Joy shows up in small wins: when a struggling student finally cracks a concept, when a staff member shares genuine laughter in the hallway, or when a school-wide celebration brings everyone together.

Leaders who model joy give permission for others to experience it too.

But joy requires intention.

It's easy to get so focused on problems that we miss the moments of light happening all around us.

Pause and reflect: When was the last time you genuinely laughed at work? How might you create more moments like that?

Moving Forward

Appreciation. Authenticity. Affirmations. Joy.

These four practices may seem small, but together they anchor us in what matters most.

They don't require new programs or additional hours in your day.

They simply require intention: noticing, showing up, choosing joy, and reminding yourself of your direction.

What resonates most with you from these four practices? I'd love to hear what you try and what you notice.