The Empowered Principal® Podcast

There is no amount of reassurance that other people can provide us with that will generate the feeling of appreciation. Feeling resentful for going the extra mile or like you're being taken advantage of is an extremely disempowered way to lead your school. The good news is your leadership experience doesn't have to stay this way because appreciation is always an internal job.   Discover what might...

There's an important distinction between allowing things to be hard, expecting things to be hard, and taking a break when something is too hard. I've been exploring this for myself in both my personal and professional life, and being able to differentiate between these three types of hard has been profound.    If you're at max capacity and feel like you're drowning, you're in the right place. Join...

If you're having trouble dealing with a staff member who isn't showing up the way you expect them to, today's episode is for you. We often believe that the way our staff behaves is a reflection of us as a principal, and that doesn't feel great. You might think it's your place as a leader to fix other people, but there's a better way to approach these uncomfortable scenarios.   This week, we're div...

Do you think being in a leadership position means you must sacrifice yourself in favor of productivity and success? My clients often find themselves judging the things that bring them joy in their lives, whether big or small. They may believe it's too trivial or luxurious to experience joy and happiness, and as a result, they deny themselves what is inherently their right as humans.   Discover how...

As a school leader, you are a public figure. As a public figure, people believe they have the right to scrutinize you for any misstep or mistake you make. This is something you may face at some point in your career if you haven't already, and it can be a scary experience.   Learn how to handle public scrutiny as a school leader. I'm sharing the importance of understanding your nervous system in th...

We're already in October, but we still have time to establish and revisit norms in our schools. I'm giving you a strategy I use with my clients when it comes to planning out norms and getting others to follow them from a place of compassion.   Discover how to make your meetings more productive through establishing clear group norms. I'm discussing the purpose and benefit of having and following no...

My guest on the show this week is certified life coach and Integrative Pediatrician Dr. Payal Patel Ghayal, who is an expert in helping Brown women advocate for themselves. Her mission is one that speaks to me deeply, and we're here to have a conversation about taking back control over your mental, physical, and emotional needs.   Dr. Payal and I dive into ways women leaders of all professions get...

It's October, which means it's a beautiful month of colorful leaves, costumes, and candy, but for school leaders, it's one of the most exhausting times of the year. Tune in this week to discover how to deal with the fall dip we experience as school leaders every October. I'm giving you tips and strategies for actually enjoying the fall, not letting October feel so heavy, and I'm sharing how I coac...

Our emotions are the hardest thing we have to navigate as school leaders and humans in general. What's often difficult about anything we're finding hard or challenging, whether in your career or personal life, is the way it feels . That's why, on this episode, I'm sharing the art of processing your emotions.   Discover why we tend to resist or avoid negative emotions and how there is validity in e...

We've been led to believe that we need to have a combative relationship with time. We say things like, "I don't have time," or "Time slipped away from me," and we use time as a scapegoat for why we're unhappy or for not accomplishing the things we truly want to do. The truth is we've been sold on this oppressive framework of time, but we can begin building a beautiful relationship with it instead....

This week, I'm joined by Katie Novak and Kristan Rodriguez to have an important conversation about how leveraging systems can help you become a better school leader. Katie is the founder and executive director of Novak Education : an organization renowned for designing and delivering professional development on UDL, MTSS, and leadership practices. Kristan is the founder of Commonwealth Consulting...

As school leaders, you live in a world of meetings, whether that's with teachers, parents, stakeholders, or your district – the list goes on. Another pain point that many principals experience is spending time securing substitute teachers. While these aspects of your job might make you think you're losing valuable time, I'm offering you a more empowered way to think about these situations today.  ...

This week, I'm sharing an exercise that I developed with one of my clients at the end of last year. The purpose of this exercise is to bring your focus back on who you're here to serve: your students. You have to consider what needs to be in place for them to be successful, and I'm breaking it all down for you on this episode.   Discover why the Student Journey Experience exercise is one of the mo...

You likely intellectually understand the power of meeting with your teachers. It's a solid practice that serves your entire school community. However, you also probably realize that it's one of the first things to fall off your plate as the year ramps up and things get busy. Regardless of emergencies, student disciplinary issues, or parent meetings, you can make time for it, and I'm here to show y...

No matter how big or small, you make every decision through what I call a 'decision lens.' Your decision lens is essentially composed of a set of values and priorities that you use to determine the decisions you're going to make.   Discover why gaining awareness of the decision lens you're using has to be your top priority as a school leader. Learn about how we sometimes slip into making emotion-b...

Erin Bowlby has been in the education world for 13 years, but she started her school principalship journey a year ago. She knew she needed help and support as she navigated school leadership for the first time, and she's rewinding her experience all the way back to the beginning to offer some nuggets of wisdom she's discovered along the way.   If you're an aspiring leader like Erin, navigating the...

As the school principal, you are often the middle person between the district officials who make decisions and your staff, teachers, and students. There are times when you'll be excited to announce changes being made at the district level because you can see the potential value or rationale behind them. But what do you do when you're presented with changes you aren't on board with?   Hear five str...

What makes a truly good leader? How can you create a legacy while maintaining your sustainability as an impactful leader? Is there a specific skill set you can learn to be a valuable and effective school leader without falling prey to overwhelm and burnout?   Learn about the one thing we tend to ignore and downplay that has the power to skyrocket your influence as a school leader. This magical ski...

Your staff wants a leader to follow, and this episode will teach you exactly how to become that person. Simply laying out a vision you have for the next year isn't enough to get buy-in. You need a compelling vision that your school community is so excited by that it's a no-brainer, which means learning to articulate it in a way that's interesting, engaging, and enticing.   Discover what generates...

I'm sharing part one of a two-part series on creating and selling your school vision. Too many school leaders aren't actually living by and leaning into their vision as a way of being, and that's why I'm offering a process that will make it simple and doable.   If you're ready to create a compelling vision plan that aligns with what you value as a leader, listen in this week. Hear what it means to...

Being a successful leader is less about WHAT you do. It's about WHO you BECOME. Here's an invitation to the fastest path to becoming the school leader who accomplishes your professional goals without sacrificing your personal life.   To Join EPC: https://angelakellycoaching.com/work-with-me/   Schedule a 15-Minute Consult:  https://angelakellycoachingschedule.as.me/groupcoachingconsult

Dealing with haters is an experience every school leader fears, and it's one most principals will have to deal with in some capacity at one point or another. It's a fear that's so visceral that we'll do just about anything to avoid it, so I'm sharing my top tips for dealing with haters.   Hear my own personal story of a hater parent that I dealt with during my tenure as a school principal, and the...

There are three things you need to trust in order to get hired as a school leader. I'm sharing them with you on today's show so you can make that career leap and set yourself up for success. Even if you aren't going through the interview process but you're the one giving the interviews, this episode is packed with value as well.   Discover how to get hired as a school leader. I'm sharing why you a...

The goal of my coaching relationship with my clients is to help them build resilience and problem-solving strength through the challenges that come with school leadership. Something I tell my clients all the time is that they can't fail if they don't give up, and I model that by being completely committed to my dreams, even if I miss the mark often.   Whether it's your job, a relationship, or you...

We spend so much of our lives trying to avoid mistakes, and you can probably think of mistakes you hold yourself accountable to or that you still beat yourself up over. There is so much drama and fear associated with making mistakes, and it's costing you.   Discover why we're afraid of making mistakes, and why this is a problem. I'm showing you the meaning we put on mistakes that make them feel fa...