The Principal's Handbook

Self-doubt is something every principal experiences, but it doesn't have to define your leadership. In this episode, I share my ACT Framework to help you recognize the thoughts fueling your self-doubt, uncover what's causing them, and replace them with confidence-building beliefs. You'll learn practical strategies to stop second-guessing your decisions, navigate difficult conversations with greate...

In this episode of The Principal’s Handbook Summer Reset Series, we explore the patterns and habits of the self-doubting principal. Through the example of a principal who struggles with second-guessing decisions, seeking approval, and comparing herself to others, we uncover how self-doubt impacts leadership effectiveness. Using the TEA Cycle, we examine how thoughts create emotions and actions tha...

In this episode of The Principal’s Handbook Summer Reset Series , we explore the mindset and habits of the perfectionist principal. You'll learn how perfectionism shows up in school leadership through overthinking decisions, constantly revising work, fear of mistakes, and spending too much time trying to get everything just right. Using the TEA Cycle, we examine how perfectionistic thoughts create...

In this episode of The Principal’s Handbook , we explore the challenges of being a people-pleasing principal and how the need for approval can impact leadership decisions. You'll learn how people-pleasing shows up through avoiding difficult conversations, watering down feedback, delaying decisions, and taking responsibility for other people's emotions. Through the TEA Cycle, we examine how thought...

In this episode of The Principal’s Handbook Summer Reset Series, we explore the common patterns of the reactive principal and why so many school leaders feel stuck in a cycle of constant firefighting. Through the example of a reactive principal, you'll see how urgency, problem-solving, and interruptions can crowd out the leadership work that matters most. We also break down how thoughts influence...

In this episode of The Principal’s Handbook, we continue the Principal Reset Series by exploring the mindset patterns of the High-Achieving Principal. While ambition and drive can be powerful leadership strengths, they can also lead to constant comparison, moving the finish line, and never feeling like enough has been accomplished. You'll learn how achievement can become tied to your identity, why...

In this episode of The Principal’s Handbook , we dive into the mindset patterns and leadership habits that lead to principal burnout. I walk through the story of a burned-out assistant principal and break down the hidden patterns that keep school leaders overwhelmed, emotionally exhausted, and constantly reacting. You’ll learn how thoughts create emotions and actions through the TEA Cycle, and how...

In this episode of The Principal’s Handbook , we explore the five key practices that build confident, effective school leadership. You’ll learn how shifting your identity, leading without needing approval, and focusing on what truly matters can transform how you show up each day. We also dive into the importance of managing your thoughts and staying committed to growth, even when leadership feels...

In this episode of The Principal’s Handbook , we’re talking about how to finish the school year strong when everyone is tired, including you. The end of the year can bring exhaustion, increased behaviors, emotional staff dynamics, and constant decision fatigue, making it easy for leaders to slip into survival mode. This episode explores why this season feels so heavy for school leaders and how to...

In this episode of The Principal’s Handbook , we explore the idea of The Elementary Edge — the difference between reactive leadership and intentional leadership in elementary schools. Elementary principals face unique emotional demands, constant decision-making, and the pressure of leading through overwhelm while still supporting staff, students, and families. This episode breaks down four practic...

In this episode of The Principal’s Handbook , we dive into the real end-of-year reflection principals need to move from overwhelm to clarity. I walk you through five key areas, so you can evaluate what actually worked. You’ll learn how to identify what to keep, what to change, and how to avoid trying to fix everything at once. By the end, you’ll be ready to choose 2–3 focused priorities and lead i...

In this episode of The Principal’s Handbook , we tackle one of the most common and frustrating complaints principals hear: “Nothing happens to kids.” If you’ve heard this from your teachers, this episode will help you understand what’s really behind it and why it’s not about you being a bad leader or teachers being negative.  We break down the five root causes of this belief. You’ll learn how thes...

In this episode of The Principal’s Handbook , we dive into how to navigate challenging student behavior, especially those Tier 2 and Tier 3 situations that feel overwhelming and constant. If you’ve ever felt like you’re carrying the weight of extreme behaviors on your own, this episode will shift your perspective and remind you that behavior is not a solo job.  You’ll learn why a team-based approa...

Most principals want to be strong instructional leaders—but their day gets taken over before they ever get there. In this episode, we break down the four layers of instructional leadership and why focusing on instruction alone often doesn’t work. You’ll learn how discipline systems, staff culture, and time management all impact your ability to lead teaching and learning effectively and what to fix...

Discipline can quickly take over your day as a principal. What starts as a few behavior issues turns into constant interruptions, frustrated teachers, and decisions that feel inconsistent or unclear. Over time, you may start hearing it, “nothing happens to kids” and that begins to erode trust in your leadership. In this episode of The Principal’s Handbook , we break down why discipline feels so he...

In this episode of The Principal’s Handbook , Barb talks with edtech expert and author Priten Soundar-Shah about the growing role of AI and technology in schools. They explore why educators may need to slow down before rushing to adopt new tools and how principals can think critically about when technology actually benefits students. Priten shares insights from his book Ethical EdTech , including...

In this episode, we explore what confidence really means for principals — not having all the answers, but trusting that you’ll figure things out. Three major confidence killers are unpacked: comparison, overthinking, and avoiding discomfort. Comparison fuels self-doubt, overthinking creates mental spirals, and avoiding hard conversations or decisions limits growth. Practical strategies are shared...

Does leadership ever feel heavy or off even when everything looks fine on the surface? In this episode of The Principal’s Handbook , we talk about the quiet, confusing season when you’re doing well as a principal on paper but internally something doesn’t feel right. Not burnout. Not failure. Just a lingering sense that leadership feels heavier than it should. You’ll learn why this feeling isn’t a...

In this episode, Barb talks with Kurtis Hewson about what makes collaborative teams truly effective and how principals can build a culture where teachers solve problems together. Kurtis shares simple meeting structures that increase psychological safety and shared ownership, like clear norms, roles, and a predictable agenda. He breaks down the “Collaborative Team Meeting” format that helps teams f...

In this episode, Barb is joined by Lisa Danahy, founder of Create Calm, owner of Radiant Child Yoga, and author of Creating Calm in Your Classroom . Lisa brings over 30 years of experience as a yoga therapist and educator, blending mindfulness, neuroscience, and real-world school practices. Together, they explore how viewing behavior through a nervous system lens can transform the way principals s...

Is discipline running your day more than instruction is? In this episode, you’ll learn how to spot the discipline habits that quietly drain your time, energy, and confidence, and what to do instead so you can lead with more calm and consistency. How to stop treating every discipline call like an emergency What to do when emotions, pressure, or fatigue are driving your consequences How to set bound...

Have you ever caught yourself wondering, “Why does everything fall on me?” In this episode, we’re unpacking one of the biggest mindset traps principals slip into—the belief that they must carry the entire school on their shoulders. You’ll learn why highly capable, high-capacity leaders often become the default problem solver, how this pattern unintentionally trains your staff to rely on you, and w...

In this episode, Barb talks with leadership expert Casey Watts about why clarity—not effort—is often what’s missing when initiatives stall or staff buy-in fades. Casey shares how her Clarity Cycle Framework helps leaders align expectations, transfer ownership, and create follow-through without adding more to their plates. They explore how unclear roles fuel overwhelm, why resistance is often a cla...

Does being a great principal mean being available all day, every day? In this episode, Barb challenges the traditional “open door policy” and the idea of people over paperwork and shares a more sustainable way to lead. Because when you’re constantly available, the work doesn’t disappear… it just follows you home. You’ll learn how focus blocks, visibility, and clear boundaries actually make you mor...

This episode breaks down three common time management mistakes that quietly keep principals overwhelmed and stretched too thin. It explains how unrealistic self-expectations, weak or missing systems, and a constant focus on urgency instead of priorities drain time and energy. The takeaway is that better time management isn’t about working harder, it’s about setting sustainable expectations, buildi...