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By Jim Best At the heart of every independent school are relationships — between teachers and students, heads and boards, schools and their communities. Those human connections give our work meaning. They also make change feel risky, especially when that change comes wrapped in something as fast-moving and unfamiliar as AI. Microsoft’s Rajesh Jha describes the challenge as “figuring out how to make the elephant dance” — helping complex, tradition-rich organizations become more agile and responsive while staying true to their purpose. Every independent school has its own elephant: the culture, the systems, and the deeply held habits that give it strength but can also make it reluctant. At The Leader Network, our October Roundtables explored this balance — how to lead with courage, curiosity, and care as AI reshapes how we teach, learn, and lead. Three kinds of courage can help: Courage to Act.  Start small. Learn in motion. Certainty can come later. Courage to Experiment.  Replace “What if this fails?” with “What might we learn if we try?” Courage to Learn.  Stay curious. Stay open. Stay human. AI can make schools smarter — but only people make them soulful. As we evolve, let’s keep heart at the center of our innovation and help our elephants dance — with grace, courage, and purpose. Join us at The Leader Network as we explore how.  — Jim Did you find this post useful? Subscribe to The Leader’s  Lens , our monthly blog offering regular insights designed to inspire and elevate your leadership journey.

The start of the school year always carries a certain charge. Leaders step into the first faculty meeting, the first board retreat, the first walk through the halls with both energy and expectation. The questions come quickly: What are we aiming for this year? What’s most important for our students, our teachers, our community? Sunrise on a new year of Goals, Growth, and a Fresh Start At The Leader Network , we love these questions. Setting goals at the beginning of the year clarifies priorities and gives everyone a sense of direction and a fresh start. But here’s the harder part: How do we make sure our goals don’t just live on paper, but shape real growth? That’s where evaluation—done thoughtfully—comes in. Too often, evaluations feel like compliance exercises, or worse, “gotcha” moments. They measure performance as if leadership were a checklist—rather than a living practice. We believe there’s a better way. The Leader Network’s Growth Assessments start from a different premise: leadership is about behaviors that can be learned, strengthened, and celebrated. We use Kouzes and Posner’s Five Exemplary Leadership Practices — Model the Way, Inspire a Shared Vision, Challenge the Process, Enable Others to Act, and Encourage the Heart —as the foundation. These practices aren’t abstract ideals. They're research-based, observable, and deeply human. By framing evaluations around these practices, we shift the conversation: From judgment to development. From performance review to growth assessment. From what went wrong to what’s possible. And when leaders engage in this kind of evaluation, something powerful happens. Goals set in August and September stay alive all year because they’re tied to reflection, feedback, and growth. Evaluation stops being the end of the story and becomes part of the journey. At The Leader Network , we’ve seen schools and teams thrive when they combine bold goal-setting with growth-focused evaluations. The results have been remarkable—not only for leaders themselves but for the communities they serve. If you (and members of your leadership team) want to set clear, meaningful goals—and link them to a thoughtful evaluation process that fosters growth, not judgment—we’d love to partner with you. Reach out to us at The Leader Network . Together, we can help you, your team, your school flourish. With best wishes for a strong start, Jim Best & The Leader Network Team Like our latest post? Subscribe to The Leader’s  Lens , our monthly blog offering regular insights designed to inspire and elevate your leadership journey.

By Jim Best, Co-Founder of The Leader Network Dear Colleagues, August hums with possibility. There’s a rush of energy—new faces, new goals—and the quiet responsibility to set the tone for the year ahead. Before the pace picks up too much, here’s one question worth pausing for: What do you hope your team says about your leadership at year's end? That’s it.  Not what got done. Not what got measured. But how it felt to be led by you. Did they feel seen and heard? Trusted? Inspired to do their best work? Did you help them stretch—or stay steady when it mattered most? What will they say about your leadership? This is the kind of question that reminds us what leadership is really about. If you’re looking to start the year with purpose, presence, and principle, we’d love to walk beside you. The Leader Network offers coaching , roundtables , retreats , and growth assessments that help school leaders grow—and grow strong teams in the process. Here’s to leading with clarity, conviction, and care—from day one. Jim Did you find this post useful? Subscribe to The Leader’s  Lens , our monthly blog offering regular insights designed to inspire and elevate your leadership journey.

Before You Unplug: Reflect, Realign, and Recommit By Jim Best, The Leader Network Summer’s almost here. For school leaders, it’s a season of sandals and strategy, slower mornings and long-range planning. It’s also one of the few natural moments we get to pause—to step back, reflect, and ask: What’s next? But your next steps don’t belong to you alone. They belong to your team. They belong to your board. They belong to the people you lead and serve. So before summer takes hold, take a moment to reflect—not just on what got done, but on where you're headed together. Here are three reminders as you prepare for the year ahead: Summer is quiet—but strategic. Take advantage of the calm to clarify your real priorities. People need clarity more than a calendar. Make sure everyone understands the why behind the plan—not just the what. Reflection is leadership. Taking time to align builds trust, sets direction, and ensures you’re leading with intention. If you’re ready to build trust, align priorities, and head into next year with clarity—we’re here to help. Explore our School Leadership Retreats & Board Workshops Services The Leader Network specializes in engaging, actionable team-building and governance sessions that move your school forward. Let’s make this summer count. With admiration and in partnership, Jim Best, Co-Founder, The Leader Network Did you find this post useful? Be sure to subscribe to The Leader’s  Lens , our blog offering regular insights designed to inspire and elevate your leadership journey.

By Jim Best | The Leader Network And for leaders like you, July may be the most important strategic month of the year. At The Leader Network, we believe this space is sacred—not just for rest, but for reflection. Not just to pause, but to prepare. That’s why we’re encouraging you to use this moment for something that often gets squeezed out once August hits: strategic self-leadership. Here are four ways to make the most of July—the most strategic month—and step into the year ahead with clarity, confidence, and intention. Reclaim Your “Why” Take 10 minutes to write down: Why do you lead? What kind of leader do you want to be this year? Who do you most want to be for? So often, your purpose gets buried beneath logistics and obligations. But now is your chance to reconnect. (We’ve created a free worksheet if you want a simple place to start. Name Your Leadership Theme Every great leader walks into the year with a compass. What’s yours? Maybe it’s Lead with Trust. Maybe it’s Less Noise, More Clarity. Maybe it’s Be Bold. Be Kind. Be Clear. A theme helps you center your values, guide your tone, and set a cultural temperature for your team. If you’re in one of our Roundtables, this is the perfect prompt to bring into August. (If you’re not yet in one—let’s fix that.) Plan the Culture, Not Just the Calendar While you’re mapping out meetings, ask this: What kind of team do I want to lead? How do we build trust? What norms do we need to establish or revisit? What gets celebrated? What gets addressed? How do we want to feel after each meeting? Boards and leadership teams don’t magically become aligned. They’re built—with care, consistency, and conversation. (We can help you get started.) Read Something. Write Something. Rest a Little. Pick up a book that stretches you. Write a note to your future self—maybe an email, scheduled for October or December. Or—here’s a radical idea—do nothing for a few hours. Leadership isn’t just what you do; it’s how you think. And July gives you the rarest gift of all: time to think differently. Let This Month Be the Start of Something If July gives you space to dream, let August give you a plan. Whether you’re leading a school, a division, a board, or a team—we’d be honored to walk alongside you this year. We’ve created a simple, one-page Leadership Year Launch Worksheet to help you reflect, reset, and reimagine. Download it. Print it. Share it with a teammate. Set a reminder to revisit it in October. And if you’re thinking through how to lead your team differently this year—how to shape culture, clarify strategy, or strengthen your board— TheLeaderNetwork is here for that. We offer: One-on-one coaching Team and board retreats Roundtables for school leaders who want to grow in community Strategic Planning Facilitation Individual, Team, and Board Growth Assessments and Evaluations Get in touch with us . Let’s make this the year where your leadership feels aligned, supported, and strong. With appreciation and high hopes— Jim Best Co-Founder, The Leader Network Did you find this post useful? We invite you to subscribe to The Leader’s  Lens , our blog offering regular insights designed to inspire and elevate your leadership journey.

You know the moment. You’ve just finished a big presentation. People are clapping, complimenting, throwing around words like "impressive,"   "thoughtful,"  even "inspiring."  Then someone pulls you aside and says, “Can I give you a little feedback?” And that’s all you can think about for the rest of the week—that one critical comment. How can one critical comment outweigh five pieces of praise? And what can we do about it? Here are three things I share with leaders I coach: First, know this: your brain is wired for threat, not balance. It ’s not a character flaw. Evolution taught us to scan for danger, not applause. The sting is normal. Second, check the story you're telling yourself. Often, the one critical comment isn’t what hurts—it’s the meaning we assign to it. “I’m not good enough.” “They saw through me.” “I failed.” Try separating the facts from the fears. Finally, ask: what would a leader I admire do with this? Strong leaders don’t crumble in the face of critique—they look for the lesson. If there’s truth in the feedback, use it. If not, let it go. And don’t forget to let the praise in, too. You earned it. Let’s make space for both the challenge and the cheer. There’s growth in each. If you or your team are navigating this kind of leadership challenge—or looking to grow in the face of feedback— The Leader Network is here to help. We work with leaders and leadership teams ready for meaningful change, deeper connection, and powerful learning. Reach out anytime for coaching and mentoring support . We’d love to work with you. Did you find this post useful? Be sure to subscribe to The Leader’s  Lens , our blog offering regular insights designed to inspire and elevate your leadership journey.

As you gear up for the NAIS conference in Saint Louis this week, The Leader Network offers advice on networking made easy as you look for new opportunities. Understanding the challenges and opportunities that come with networking at such events, we've distilled key insights from the HBR article  "5 Ways to Make Conference Networking Easier"  by Dorie Clark—just for you.  Key Insights: Panel Participation:  Speak on a panel. It's a great way to draw like-minded individuals to you, turning networking into a more manageable, enjoyable experience. Host a Dinner:  Utilize conference downtime to create intimate networking opportunities. A small, planned dinner can open doors to meaningful connections. Prepare for Chance Encounters:  A little homework goes a long way. Familiarize yourself with the attendee list to make those spontaneous meetings count. Interviews as Networking:  Offer to interview leaders or influencers for a school blog or podcast. It’s a generous way to engage while providing value to both parties. Strategic Wardrobe Choices:  A conversation piece, like a unique accessory, can ease the initiation of discussions, making the first step of networking simpler and more natural. It's all about creating connections that feel genuine and aligned with your personal style.  The Leader Network is committed to your success, providing tailored, timely guidance to help you build meaningful connections that shape the future of education. Here's to a fulfilling and productive conference experience! P.S. Your journey matters to us! Contact us at  https://www.theleadernetwork.org/contact  with your conference highlights or if you're seeking bespoke advice. We're in this together!

In a recent coaching session, we explored the exciting and challenging topic of career transitions, asking, "What's next?" We discovered a key insight together: your next career move is a journey to align strengths, passions, and purpose.  Skills & Strengths:  Each of us has unique talents and abilities that shine brightly. Why not make them the cornerstone of your career? Choosing a path that plays to your strengths means you're already halfway there. It's about thriving, not surviving! Passion & Interest:  Ever noticed how time flies when you're doing something you love? That's the magic of working in a field you're passionate about. It's not just about the paycheck; it's about the joy and fulfillment that comes from doing work that lights a fire. Purpose & Impact:  Envision a career that transcends personal goals, connecting you to something greater. It's about using your talents for causes that stir your soul. It’s about making a significant contribution and being part of a larger purpose. It's about a mission driven by your values, with each action leading to meaningful change. As you consider your next steps, keep in mind: it's about leveraging your strengths, embracing your passions, and making the impact you desire for the world. That's the sweet spot, my friends.

During a recent facilitation, I shared an insightful metaphor from John Gordon's book The Power of a Positive Team : the concepts of the ‘Telescope and Microscope’. Together, these metaphors represent two different and complementary perspectives on planning and implementation within a team or organization. The ‘telescope and microscope’ emphasize the importance of balancing strategic, long-term planning with tactical, short-term actions. They suggest that success requires not only having a clear vision of what you want to achieve (telescope) but also paying attention to, and effectively managing, the detailed work required to get there (microscope). This balance helps teams stay motivated and focused—ensuring they can navigate challenges while making consistent progress toward their goals. Posted by The Leader Network Co-Founder Jim Best

As March Madness unfolds, I'm reminded of the powerful insights shared by Bettina Love in a recent Education Week article .  An award-winning author and professor at Teachers College, Columbia University, Love draws a compelling parallel between the resources allocated to celebrated student-athletes and the concept of reimagining equity in education. Reflecting on her experience as a Division I basketball player, Love saw firsthand the difference that support and resources can make. Her work challenges us to consider how we can extend this level of support to all students—especially those from historically disadvantaged backgrounds. Love's call to action is clear: it's time to extend the principles of equity practiced in Division I college athletics to the broader educational landscape. Imagine the impact we could make if every student had access to dedicated tutors, healthcare, meals, and a supportive academic environment.  At The Leader Network , we’re committed to answering this call. Our Coaching & Mentoring, Roundtables & Networking, and Organizational Development & Leadership Growth programs empower independent school leaders to create environments where equity is not just a goal—but a reality. Let's use this March Madness season as a reminder of what's possible when we commit to equity in education. Together, we can ensure that every student has the opportunity to succeed—on and off the court. With highest hopes, Jim Best Co-Founder TheLeaderNetwork

In my conversations with independent school leaders considering their next big move, my message is simple: Imagine a future that’s distinctly yours—powered by your deepest passions and a bold vision for what lies ahead. Here’s a quick career growth guide: Align with Your Heart:  Embrace roles that resonate with your values and dreams, where your actions craft a legacy that's authentically yours. Seek Growth : Chase the challenges that promise to expand your skills and sphere of positive influence.  Make an Impact:  Seek opportunities where you can significantly uplift student lives and community culture. Don’t Forget… Balance is Key: Ensure your next move respects your personal well-being—as well as your professional ambitions. Financial Wisdom: Choose paths that support your financial security and goals—balancing risk with reward. Here’s to the next steps on your remarkable journey! Make them bold! Make them count! Jim Best Co-founder TheLeaderNetwork

The theme of self-compassion took center stage during The Leader Network's March roundtables. Over 100 independent school leaders shared that it's second nature to extend compassion to a colleague, offer a comforting word to a student, or stand with community members through thick and thin.  Leading with heart comes naturally to those deeply invested in the well-being of our school communities. But how often do we direct that compassion inward? Many of us have come to believe that practicing self-compassion is an indulgence—a luxury we can’t afford due to our roles and responsibilities. "Leaders must be strong and stoic," we tell ourselves—even as we shoulder burdens that aren’t our own—or harshly judge ourselves for minor missteps. Kristin Neff, an Associate Professor of Educational Psychology at the University of Texas at Austin and a pioneering researcher in self-compassion, offers insights that are particularly impactful for leaders. Neff explains that Self-Kindness (being gentle with ourselves), Common Humanity (recognizing our shared experiences), and Mindfulness (managing our emotions without being overwhelmed by them) are more than just uplifting qualities. They’re crucial tools that help us excel in our roles and in life. So let's commit to treating ourselves with the same kindness, understanding, and compassion that we extend to others. Let’s recognize that self-compassion isn’t solely about caring for oneself—it's a strategic leadership decision—an approach that fosters resilience, encourages empathy, and drives school communities towards success and well-being. Here's to leading with heart—for others and for ourselves. With high hopes, Jim Best and Bernie Noe Co-Founders of The Leader Network