Education leadership is an unusually complex responsibility that requires intelligence, wisdom, and hard work. Perhaps what our schools need most isn't another strategic plan, but rather a strategic organization where unity and trust prevail. 

“One of the biggest accelerators to change is simplicity.”
--Dr. Henry Cloud

Tags: School Growth, Leadership, Strategy

Educators are the ultimate "knowledge workers," unique in their ability to solve complex problems and develop new ways to enable growth.

Yet they continue to languish in an industrial approach to school leadership and design where the physical spaces, time schedules, and human dynamics stifle creativity and inspiration.

There is a better way!

Tags: School Design, Board Culture, Leadership, Strategy

Putting "Excellence" on the website or in the mission statement doesn't make it true. Excellence starts with a resolute commitment to stop doing average. 

Stop doing what average schools do.
Stop doing what average leaders do. 

Your calling as an educator is one to Excellence, not average!

Tags: Leadership, Strategy, Leadership Retreat

Prince the Peacock was beautiful, with blue and green feathers that were a sight to behold. 

We met him over the weekend at the Warm Springs Inn (which we highly recommend, by the way) in Wenatchee, WA.

Despite all of his investments in marketing himself, Prince remained frustrated and unable to accomplish his goals. (perhaps a little like your school)

Tags: Enrollment, Marketing, Strategy

The first quarter of 2021 is almost complete, and it's been a great start to what we believe will be one of the most exciting years in school leadership. 

You've been walking through a hard journey while carrying a heavy load, making it hard to look beyond the challenges of each day. Getting through it was a little easier when you kept your head down and just tried to put one foot in front of the other. 

Left, right. Left, right. Keep going ...

Tags: Board Culture, Strategy, Leadership Retreat

Derrick Willard and his team are leading Augusta Preparatory Day School on a journey to Sustained Excellence.

Even through the enormous challenges of the last year, they have remained focused on the goals to elevate the culture and instill a tenacious commitment to the mission and core values. Below is a recent article he shared with his community regarding their Strategic Growth Plan.

Tags: School Design, Strategy

Her stress level was off the charts. Frustrated with what they felt was a lack of leadership and too many unfinished plans, some members of the board were boldly raising the stakes.

They wanted a clear plan to grow enrollment and restore confidence in the direction of the school. Or else...

Tags: School Design, School Growth, Strategy, Leadership Retreat

What are educational leaders learning during 2020 that will produce positive, long-lasting impact on schools? School Leaders are making substantial changes to their strategic plans based on their experiences so far this year.

Dr. Ashley Berner shares valuable insights about what they've learned at the Johns Hopkins University Institute for Education Policy, including why curriculum and culture remain the foundations to achieve sustainable school growth.

Tags: School Culture, Strategy

While some experts have advocated for a three-pronged approach to school competitive strategy around Price, Product, and Process, even greater market advantage is gained through the development of Proximity.
Families are far more attracted by your school's ability to form deep, emotional relationships with them than any other factor.

Tags: Administration, Marketing, Strategy

News that Matters to Educators:

1. Heads Conference reveals confidence in getting back to normal

2. Leaders of a small business in KY just paid $150,000 as a ransom to regain access to their computers and data

3. The U.S. is officially in a recession, and it's expected to be worse than the last one

Tags: Marketing, Leadership, Strategy